Brian Mooney's guide to appealing grades
How do I go about appealing grades?
You should consult the Leaving Certificate Results Appeal Process booklet that accompanies your statement of results, when deciding what to do next.
You should adhere to the instructions provided in order to ensure that you lodge valid requests for viewing marked scripts and appealing results.
The majority of students who sat their Leaving Certificate in their own school, who wish to appeal, should do so through their school.
External candidates should follow the instructions that accompany their provisional statement of results.
All appeal applications must be with the State Examinations Commission (SEC) by 5pm on Wednesday, September 3rd, 2008.
The fee per standard subject, refundable in the case of a successful appeal, is €37. The fees are payable by bank giro form provided by the SEC, through any bank or by credit card over the internet.
Many candidates return their appeal form without proof of payment - either the stamped personalised bank giro, if paid at the bank, or the internet confirmation record if paid online by credit card.
Such incomplete applications can invalidate the appeal request.
If the recheck leads to a higher grade, the payment will be refunded. Results of appeals will be issued in early October.
If I want to view my script first, before deciding whether to appeal, what do I do?
The opportunity to view one or more of your marked examination scripts and to see how the marking scheme has been applied to your work, is a free service to assist you in deciding whether or not to lodge an appeal against a result.
With the exception of external candidates, all applications for viewing of marked scripts should be made through your school.
The closing date for receipt of completed application forms in schools is Tuesday, August 19th, 2008.
External candidates should follow the instructions that accompany their provisional statement of results. The viewing of scripts will take place in schools on Friday, August 29th, and Saturday, August 30th, 2008.
Marking schemes and your appeal
You will have access to the marking schemes and will be able to see how they applied in your case, when you sit down to view your scripts.
Marking schemes in all Leaving Certificate subjects will be published and will be provided to schools to facilitate the viewing of marked scripts.
When you are viewing your script, along with a nominated other person, who may be one of your parents or a teacher of that subject, you can compare your script against the marking scheme to see whether a recheck request might be appropriate.
You are entitled to review as many subjects as you want to, at no cost. Remember, though, that it is strictly forbidden to nominate someone to view a paper on your behalf, so you must ensure that you are available to attend on the nominated dates. This may affect some of you who were planning to take a holiday abroad.
Can I see the marking schemes before I view my scripts?
You can access the marking scheme on the exams commission website at www.examinations.ie from August 25th, and your school will also have copies of the marking schemes available during the review days.
How do I calculate my points score?
You should log on to the points calculator facility on the Qualifax website at www.qualifax.ie
Most colleges use a common points system, but there are a few variations. The University of Limerick awards bonus points for higher level maths, and many colleges now award points for A and B grades in foundation level maths and Irish. You would need to check this out with the colleges you are particularly interested in.
How can I get results if I am out of the country?
Results were available online and by phone from midday yesterday. Access to the online results service, which requires the use of your examination number and unique candidate Personal Identification Number, is through www.examinations.ie
You also have the option of accessing your results by telephone using your Pin and examination numbers.
Details of the phone service, which requires the use of a touch-tone phone, are: for callers outside the Republic of Ireland 00 353 1 6885312. International call rates apply.