As more than 57,000 students begin their Leaving Cert today, a new study shows that the academic standard of the exam compares favourably with British A levels, writes Sean Flynn, Education Editor.
Preliminary findings from a study conducted by the Education Department at Oxford says the standards in Leaving Cert English, maths and chemistry have "stood up well to scrutiny in terms of the overall standard achieved by students".
The Oxford study is being conducted on behalf of the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) in Britain.
UCAS, which is the equivalent of the Central Applications Office in Ireland, wants to set a points score for each Leaving Cert subject. This can then be used by colleges in Northern Ireland and Britain when they receive applications from the Republic.
At present, applications from about 2,000 students in the Republic every year are dealt with on an individual basis by each college. Many use interviews to help them assess the standards of Irish students.
Until now, it was assumed by many educationalists that the A levels were of a higher standard. In Britain, students usually take about three A levels whereas it is not uncommon for students to take seven or more Leaving Cert subjects.
The Oxford study has looked at exam papers, sample scripts, examiners' reports and other material to compare the British and Irish exams.
The Department of Education, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment and the three UK examining boards have also been involved in the study. Aside from Oxford, other universities from Northern Ireland and Scotland have also contributed to the study.
The total number taking the Leaving Cert - which begins with English today - is slightly up this year even though the number of school-leavers is continuing to fall. The increase is due to the large numbers of mature students taking the exam. Over 5,000 "external candidates" are sitting the exam this year.
The results of the Leaving Cert exams will be known on August 13th, with the Junior Cert results due in mid-September.
Leaving Cert students who wish to appeal their grades must return application forms by August 20th.
Meanwhile, the employers' body IBEC has backed an overhaul of the Leaving Cert. According to Ms Caroline Nash, assistant director of IBEC, the Leaving Cert in recent years has become "increasingly academic to the detriment of the development of key skills such as critical thinking and analytical ability.
"The system encourages the 'points race' and a push towards academic excellence. But it is now widely acknowledged that this system does not suit everyone."