Fiachna Ó Braonáin’s Leaving Cert: ‘I stayed up very late at night, drinking coffee and cramming’
The musician and broadcaster sat the exams in the summer of 1984
Second Level
News and advice on the second-level education system.
The Leaving Cert according to a guidance counsellor: ‘Their brains have been working so hard ... they need to get fresh air’
Guidance counsellor says students should focus ‘on what they know’ rather than what they feel they do not
The Leaving Cert is dense, demanding and far superior to the UK’s A-levels
With its seven, maybe eight subjects, the Leaving Cert cherishes the value of the generalist. In the UK, a 16-year-old may be studying just three
Leaving Cert home economics paper was ‘unpredictable and will leave some with mixed emotions’
‘Accessible’ higher level paper ‘fully aligned with the syllabus’ across ‘wide range of topics’
Leaving Cert: One down, half-a-dozen or so days to go
Thank you to each of the students, parents and teachers who have shared their views with us
Leaving Cert English paper one a ‘lovely’ exam, teachers say
Students relieved and happy after sitting test with ‘terrific’ essay options and variety in reading comprehensions
Cancer survivor wonders can she keep getting invalidity pension when her maternity benefit starts?
Work Q&A: I’m recovering from breast cancer treatment and expecting in July. Can I keep receiving both payments?
My Leaving Cert: ‘Remembering the fun, very silly, happy-go-lucky people we were is like a warm hug’
Erin McGreehan, TD for Louth
Leaving Cert: ‘Even though it’s foundation maths it’s still very stressful’
Grace McNamara (18) is hoping to do well in English and history
Leaving Cert: Just one more sleep to go
Classroom to College: If you are a student, parent or teacher, we have the news, views and information for you
‘Kids after Leaving Cert English look punch drunk’: teacher has his say ahead of ‘tough’ first exam
Sheer amount of handwriting required in answers can make heads – and hands – ache
‘I’m going to do medicine’: Student who left school in second year now aiming for top LC points
Kayleigh Quinn says a comment from a psychiatrist pushed her to do the Junior Cycle exams, which has now led to tackling the Leaving
My Leaving Cert: The school secretary took me to lost property and kitted me out with a new uniform
Author Liz Nugent sat her Leaving Certificate in 1985 and still has nightmares about it
‘Every day feels exhausting’: Four students confront China’s high-stakes college entrance exams
Four Chinese students on sitting the gaokao, a challenging national test that will shape their futures
Leaving Cert: How can you, or your child, best get through the next fortnight?
More than 100,000 households begin the Junior Cert and Leaving Cert exams this week. Yes, we said it, because if one person is sitting the June exams, everyone in the family is.
Leaving Cert: ‘I would much rather wear my comfy clothes’ in the exam hall
Eoin Murphy found you sometimes can’t win as a Leaving Cert student, such as when you get too much sun
My Leaving Cert: ‘I was upset with a performance anxiety-related false start’
Fionnuala Moran, broadcaster, sustainability influencer and DJ
Leaving Cert: 10 tips for parents supporting an exam student this month
Pointers on how best to help and encourage a son or daughter in what can be a stressful period
Leaving Cert and diabetes: ‘I used to be going constantly in and out of class, going to the first aid room’
Danny Goff is the eldest child in his house - a positive and a negative when it comes to exam pressure
Inside a Quaker-ethos secondary school in Ireland: ‘There is a high expectation of good behaviour’
There are currently 86 boarders in Newtown School in Waterford City, with more than half from abroad
‘An amazing opportunity’: Science student’s journey from failing chemistry to TU Dublin
High costs put tutoring out of reach for many students but jumpAgrade, a free tuition service, is changing that for some
Did you hear? The Leaving Cert exams are just around the corner
This week in The Irish Times, Conversations with Parents brings you a special episode to help parents and students navigate the next few weeks
Leaving Cert 2026: How to manage the days before the exam and how to tackle the papers
Exam-day performance is determined by physical, psychological and emotional wellbeing, as well as preparedness in the subject
Hear and Dare: Your questions answered at this stage of CAO process
Hear and Dare connect students to supports including financial assistance, academic guidance and orientation
Why summer before sixth year matters for students considering UK university
Applications for UK universities take longer and involve more planning compared to CAO’s
How a PLC course can forge your path in education after the Leaving Cert
Post Leaving Cert courses can act as a stepping stone to university and the world of work
Enrolments in primary schools set to fall significantly, Department of Education says
Student numbers at first year in second level also starting to decline but there will be significant local variations, briefing document says
With my daughter planning to go to college, what financial supports are available?
Ask Brian: Maintenance grants and fee grants are available to eligible undergraduate students
Are you a parent? The reason teaching is falling apart might hurt your feelings
Secret Teacher: Children’s general level of intelligence and attention spans have plummeted
Classroom to College: When it comes to education, we all have different targets and priorities
We will be running a series of interviews with Leaving Cert students and their parents before, during and after the exams
What is Senior Assassin – the game Leaving Cert students are obsessed with?
Leaving Cert students in desperate need of diversion have embraced the viral game during their last few weeks of secondary school
Leaving Cert 2026: Tell us about how everything is going and how you are feeling
There is so much to prepare for, and plenty to digest in the aftermath, too – if you can imagine a world where this is actually over!
‘Could my son lose a college offer if CAO details incorrect?’
Parents should ensure that the correct Leaving Cert number is recorded when the Central Applications Office email arrives
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