Leaving Cert Top Grades Increase on Last Year

With 61,000 pupils receiving their Leaving Cert results today, grades awarded have risen significantly compared to 2020.

The average grade has risen by 2.6% on 2020, which had risen by 4.4% on 2019.

Higher level subjects, including Maths, Irish and English, saw the greatest increase.

The highest increase was in Maths, which saw 15.1% receiving a H1 grade compared to 8.6% last year.

In Higher Level English rose the same grade rose from 4.4% to 7.6% while in Higher Level Irish it increased from 9.1% to 11.9%. Higher Level History jumped from 11% to 18.2$, with Physics rising from 16.1% to 20.1%.

Due to the pandemic, this year's students were given the choice of sitting exams or receiving teachers' assessments. More than 90% of students chose a combination of the two. They will receive the higher grade of the two.

"I would like to congratulate each and every one of the students who will receive their results today," said Minister for Education Norma Foley. "Today is the reward for all your efforts throughout the past number of years."

"The Leaving Cert class of 2021 has shown great resilience and reserve over the past two years culminating with the results of their hard work today," said Paul Crone, Director of the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals. "It marks a very special moment in their young lives."