sample essays leaving cert english

Really Useful Links for Writers: Leaving Cert Essay Writing

Paul FitzSimons

• 29 May 2014

I have good news – the weather will be beautiful next Wednesday. The sun will shine, the skies will be clear, the temperature will be in the twenties. How do I know that? Because it’s the first day of the Leaving Cert Exams.

Besides being the unofficial start of summer, Day 1 of the Leaving is also English Paper 1, the culmination of two years’ work for around fifty thousand English language students.

The Leaving Cert English exam is divided into two papers – Paper 1, which is all about comprehension and composition and Paper 2, which covers The Single Text , The Comparative Study and Poetry. Like the other two-part exams Maths and Irish, English 1 and 2 happen on two different days – the first Wednesday and Thursday mornings of the schedule. Maybe this is to give brains and hands a chance to recover from a hectic morning of essay-writing.

Besides having the aptitude to tell a good story, writing essays at Leaving Cert level requires certain acquired skills, most of which we learn over the years of study prior to the exam. However, there are some aspects of writing the perfect essay that we don’t necessarily pick up or, with the deluge of knowledge that we’re trying to take in, have slipped from our memories. Thankfully, there are plenty of online resources that will fill in those gaps and also offer some additional advice on writing, organisational and time-saving that will prove invaluable on the day.

On the ever useful website LeavingCertEnglish.net – seriously, I wish this had been around in my day – we are given an invaluable guide to preparing for and then sitting down to English Paper 1. Their pages include advice on approaching each essay, what needs to be covered to achieve a passing mark and what flourishes will help to get that all-important A.

After sitting his Leaving Cert in 2011, student and blogger Aidan Curran decided to take the lessons he learned during that traumatic year and share them on his website. His post How To Get An A In English Essay Writing takes us through everything we need to remember coming up to and during the exam. He reminds us that, as essay-writing is not something we can memorize, it makes it both the easiest and most difficult part of the exam.

Most of the above applies to Paper 1 of the exam. Of course, there are also some essays to be written for Paper 2, which deals with curriculum’s prescribed texts, such as the play, novels and poetry. The Clevernotes website offers us some invaluable advice on tackling the second English paper compositions, suggesting that, in order to form a cogent and coherent response to the question asked, an essay must always contain an introduction, a number of well-focused body paragraphs and a conclusion.

For some slightly more tongue-in-cheek advice on essay writing, we can watch video blogger Clisare’s video on Entertainment.ie. She takes us through her unique thoughts on writing both English and Irish essays. She does offer some interesting insight but the fact that she advises us to remind the teacher that ‘Irish is a dead language’ suggests that we should probably take most of her tips with a grán salainn.

If you feel an online tutor will be able to help, check out TutorHunt .

“The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows.” – Sydney J. Harris

A Whole Website Dedicated To It.

LeavingCertEnglish.net has all the advice, information and sample exams we need to tackle the Paper 1 essay.

“”Stick to the topic. Have plenty of ideas. Identify problems but also offer solutions.”

http://leavingcertenglish.net/2012/03/inspiration/ .

Them’s The Rules.

LeavingCertEnglish.net takes us through six important rules for writing the perfect essay.

“It’s really important to grab the reader’s attention. Use a quote, or a series of rhetorical questions, a list, or a vivid description.”

http://leavingcertenglish.net/2011/05/six-rules-of-essay-writing/

From The Horse’s Mouth.

Recent Leaving Cert student Aidan Curran takes us his advice on Essay-writing, based on his own experience.

“Obviously, when you get the essay titles first you say “That’s it, I’m screwed, we’ll call it a day”. But if you just look at them, you’ll realise that they can be changed to your strengths.”

http://aidancurran.com/how-to-get-an-a1-in-english-essay-writing-aidan-curran/

It’s Not All About Paper 1, You Know.

English Paper 2, which deals with the subject’s prescribed texts and poetry, also involves some essay writing. Clevernotes tells us how to tackle it.

“The most basic principal of essay writing is that it should be structured. Your essay must form a cogent and coherent response to the question asked.”

https://www.clevernotes.ie/english/hl/leaving-cert/how-to-write-a-paper-two-essay/

And Lastly, Some Proper Serious Advice (Or Maybe Not)

Vlogger Clisare gives us her unique take on Essay Writing.

“Always end English Language essays with ‘…and then I woke up.’ Teachers love that.”

http://entertainment.ie/wtf/WATCH-How-to-write-a-leaving-cert-essay/191520.htm

(c) Paul FitzSimons

About the author

Paul FitzSimons is a screenwriter and novelist and has written the novel ‘Burning Matches’ and a number of scripts for film and TV. He has worked as a storyline writer on RTE’s ‘Fair City’. His short stories are published in ‘Who Brought The Biscuits’ by The Naas Harbour Writers. Paul likes crime thrillers, good coffee and Cadbury’s chocolate. He doesn’t like country-and-western music or people who don’t indicate on roundabouts.

Paul also runs the  Script Editing service Paul | The | Editor .  paulfitzsimons.com

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get all of the latest from writing.ie delivered directly to your inbox., featured books.

Your complete online writing magazine.

Guest blogs, courses & events.

• Irish Writers Services
• Childcare Assignments
• Care Skills Fetac Level 5
• Care Support Assignment Example
• Care Assistant
• QQI Child Development
• Early Childhood Education
• Special Need Assistant (SNA)
• Nursing & Healthcare Assignments
• Help With Marketing Assignment
• Law Assignment Help
• Essay Writing Services
• Homework Writing Assistance

Dissertation Help

• Thesis Writing Help
• Research Paper Writing Service
• Proofreading & Editing

Coursework Help

• Ghost Writing
• Report Writing
• Skills Demonstration
• SNA learner Record Sample
• Care of Older Person
• Care Skills Assignment Dementia
• Work Experience Diary Fetac Level 5
• SNA Level 6 Sample
• Palliative Care Learner Record
• Occupational Health and Safety Assignment
• Infection Prevention And Control Learner
• Social Care Worker Job Description Sample
• Holistic Development of the Child Essay
• Child Development Observations Fetac Level 6
• Care Support Learner Record Sample
• Review 4.9/5
• Essay Sample
• Personal Essay Sample on Leaving Cert Ireland

Personal Essay Example for Leaving Cert Irish Students

Generally, the personal essay is the part of the academic course where the students of Ireland tell about a particular life incident. Even the students can prepare their personal essays on the subject, which has a significant impact on their life.

It can be about the lesson learned by the students throughout their entire lives, or they can express their point of view on a particular subject.

The personal essay has become an active part of English, which comes out to be the richest of all other literary forms.

The students need to enhance their personal essay writing and creativity skills for preparing an outstanding academic essay.

As the name of the personal essay suggests, these essays are private, and the students can find them chatty, friendly, and somewhat reader-oriented. The students of Ireland can discuss their personal experiences while preparing for their personal essays.

It is efficient for the students to relate the subject to their personal experiences so that the readers can find something unique in their presentation. At the end of the personal essay, the students need to make a definite statement that can leave a sufficient impression on the minds of the readers.

Sample Personal Essay for Leaving Cert Students in Ireland

Here is a personal essay sample that the top Irish expert writers have provided to help and guide students with their assignments. You can go through the following example and complete your personal essay leaving cert efficiently.

100% Plagiarism Free Personal Essay for Leaving Cert Students

Title: A Tapestry of Triumph: The Proudest Moment of My Life

As I reflect upon the chapters of my life, each page filled with a myriad of experiences and emotions, one particular moment stands out like a vibrant thread in the intricate tapestry of my existence. The question of the proudest moment is not merely an inquiry into the past, but an exploration of the very essence of who I am and what I value. The narrative of my proudest moment weaves through the fabric of perseverance, determination, and the unwavering belief in oneself. It unfolded during my final year of secondary school, a period when the weight of expectations and the looming uncertainty of the future cast shadows upon the present. The context, an Irish Leaving Cert examination hall, symbolized both the culmination of years of academic toil and the gateway to a future yet to be unveiled. The journey to this moment was a rollercoaster of emotions and challenges. Countless late nights were spent immersed in textbooks and revision notes, the pursuit of knowledge becoming both a passion and a burden. The pressure to perform, not only for personal satisfaction but also to meet the expectations of family and teachers, added layers of complexity to the already daunting task. However, it was within the crucible of this academic challenge that my proudest moment found its roots. It was not the mere act of completing the exams or the anticipation of results that defined this pinnacle of pride. Instead, it was the realization that I had confronted my fears, embraced the grind, and emerged stronger on the other side. The proudest moment materialized as I sat in the exam hall, pen in hand, and a kaleidoscope of knowledge and experiences swirling in my mind. It was the profound awareness that I had transcended the boundaries of my own limitations, that I had harnessed the power of discipline and dedication to overcome the hurdles that once seemed insurmountable. The results, when they arrived, were a testament to this journey. While the grades on paper were a validation of academic prowess, the true triumph lay in the intangible growth that accompanied the process. I had not only conquered the subjects in the curriculum but had also conquered the self-doubt that often lurked in the corners of my mind. This proudest moment of my life extends beyond the academic realm. It signifies the understanding that true pride is not solely derived from external validations but is rooted in the internal journey of self-discovery and personal growth. It is a beacon of light illuminating the path forward, a reminder that challenges are not impediments but opportunities for evolution. In conclusion, my proudest moment encapsulates the essence of resilience, determination, and self-belief. It serves as a reminder to my fellow Irish Leaving Cert students that the pursuit of excellence is not merely about achieving results but about embracing the transformative journey that shapes us into individuals capable of facing the unknown with courage and conviction. As we stand on the precipice of the future, let us carry the torch of our proudest moments, illuminating the path forward with the radiance of our accomplishments and the strength of our character.

Leaving Cert Personal Essay Structure

Leaving cert students need to choose the appropriate format or structure for preparing an outstanding leaving cert personal essay.

The simple structure of the personal essay includes three parts:

Introduction

The article begins with an efficient starting paragraph, which has the highlighted meaning to get presented in front of the readers. The students can start with an incredible or attractive sentence that can grab the attention of the readers.

It can be a personal subject or something creative, but the students present their ideas innovatively. When the students lack outstanding ideas, then they can go through practical research. It is efficient for the students to write a proficient paragraph in the beginning section of the essay.

The main section of the personal essay comprises at least three paragraphs. The students of Ireland need to inform about the reflective topic which they have introduced at the beginning of the article. To ensure that the thoughts of the essay are well-organized, the students need to create a suitable outline.

It is necessary to know that there is a difference between personal statement writing and a personal essay. The students can make use of the subtitles in the main body of the personal essay. It can highlight that the students have excellent knowledge about the subject which they have chosen.

Scared with Looming Deadline, Buy Plagiarism Free Paper Writing Services Now

In the ending section of the personal essay, the students need to close their ideas along with a strong statement. The students need to summarize their content by reflecting on their thoughts by stating expert opinions. The incredible conclusions can leave a good impression on the minds of the readers.

Tips for Writing Leaving Cert Personal Essay

There are some tips to write a personal essay effectively. The students of Ireland need to focus on the suggestions entirely if they want to represent perfect personal essay in front of their college professors:

• Show and tell: The students need to show and tell in the personal article. However, in the fictional essay papers, the students need to explain, but there is no necessity to understand. It is efficient to turn the reader’s imagination by giving them valuable information or creative ideas.
• The hook: It is capable of taking the views from personal life. The students of Ireland can attract the attention of the readers in a short time by presenting creative ideas. Some of the little things can inspire the readers which the students can present humour or the quoted statements in their essays.
• Use a personal point of view: The students need to write about the particular situation and the characters which are essential to include in the paper. It is the responsibility of the students to prepare the proper subject along with the adapted material, which reflects the personal statement of the students.
• Be concise: It is necessary to keep things consistent. The students of Ireland need to make their essays clear and concise in which everything is arranged correctly.

Buy Leaving Cert Personal Essay from Professional Irish Writers

Buy Pre  Written  Quality Essay from Irish Writers

The students of Ireland who are stuck with the question “how to write a personal essay leaving cert”, can take the help of the proficient academic writers offered by the reputed writing company, Ireland Assignment Help . It is one of the active companies which provide the students with various writing solutions so that they can submit a proficient academic essay in front of their professors.

The academic writers have brilliant knowledge along with proficient academic writing due to which they are capable of providing excellent help to the students. It is useful for the students of Ireland to ask to write an essay to the team of proficient assignment writers for submitting perfect academic essays like a personal essay paper.

Personal essays enhance the knowledge skills of the students by improving their confidence level. The students of Ireland must focus on their real-life experiences.

Hence, review as many personal essay samples and prepare a great essay assignment or get a splendid one from our professional helpers.

• Control Cycle ‘ Approach To Stress in Nursing / Social Care
• Hans Seyles and Lazarus Theory’s of Stress
• How Knowledge of Stress Help People Essay Sample Ireland
• Reflective Essay on Learning Style, I am a Visual learner Essay Sample Ireland
• Ireland Tourism Strategy Analysis 2025 Essay Example
• Business Research Skills Essay Example
• Nuclear Energy Future
• 4N1989 Customer Service QQI Level 4 Assignment Sample
• 5N3633 Training Development Contexts QQI Level 5 Assignment Ireland
• 5N2985 Personal And Professional Development QQI Level 5 Assignment Sample Ireland
• 5N3632 Interpersonal and Groups Behaviour QQI Level 5 Assignment Sample Ireland
• 5N2176 Substance Use Issues for Youth Work FETAC Level 5 Assignment Sample
• 5N1366 Understanding Youth Work Fetac Level 5 Assignment Example
• EU New Industrial Strategy Essay Sample
• Climate Neutral Europe 2050 Essay Sample

Ask Your Homework Today!

We have over 2500 academic writers ready and waiting to help you achieve academic success

Assignment Help Services

Homework Help

Essay Writing Help

Case Study Help

Law Assignment

Thesis Help

Ghost Writing Help

Contact Our Experienced Writing Team For Quality Writing Support

It's your first order ?

Use discount code IAH15 and get 15% off

Recent reviews, exceptional sna level 6 sample assistance.

I was very impressed with the sample of SNA level 6 that I received from Irelandassignmenthelp.com. They provided excellent assistance with this subject. Thank you so much!

Perfect Psychology Assignment Aid

The psychology assignment aid that I got from here was perfectly done. Their team of experts was very knowledgeable, and the work was completed on time.

Premier History Paper Support

It provided me with premier history paper support. The work was completed excellently, and the customer service was great.

Fantastic English Essay Help

The English essay assistance was fantastic. Their writer was very creative, and the work was completed before the deadline I gave them. Thanks a lot!

Helpful Law Homework Writing

Irelandassignmenthelp.com offered me great law homework writing services. The expert was very professional, and the work was completed on time. I appreciate this platform.

Impressive Marketing Homework Support

The marketing assignment support I received from this website was impressive. The writer was very thorough, and the work was completed to a high standard. Thank you for your excellent help.

Exceptional Nursing Assignment Assistance

Ireland Assignment Help provided me with exceptional nursing assignment assistance. The writer was very knowledgeable, and the work was completed on time. I am very satisfied with their services.

Excellent Assistance with Philosophy Assignments

This company offers excellent assistance with philosophy assignments. Your writers possess a deep understanding of philosophical concepts and deliver thought-provoking analyses that greatly enhance the quality of my work. Thank you for your outstanding service!

Impressive Support for Linguistics Essays

I am thoroughly impressed by the support I received from here with my linguistics essays. The writers demonstrated a profound understanding of linguistic principles and delivered well-crafted analyses that exceeded my expectations. Highly recommended!

Reliable Help with Political Science Assignments

Thank you for providing me with reliable help on my political science assignments. Your experts possess a thorough understanding of political theories and deliver insightful analyses that significantly enhance the quality of my work. Thank you once again for your exceptional service!

UP TO 30 % DISCOUNT

Get Your Assignment Completed At Lower Prices

Assignment Help

RATED 4.9 / 5 BASED ON 22945 IRISH STUDENTS

Disclaimer :The Reference papers provided by the Ireland Assignment Help serve as model and sample papers for students and are not to be submitted as it is. These papers are intended to be used for reference and research purposes only.You can also check our Privacy Policy , Terms & Condition & Warranty Policy.

© Copyright 2024 @ Ireland Assignment Help. All Rights Reserved

• International
• Education Jobs
• Schools directory
• Resources Education Jobs Schools directory News Search

Leaving Cert English - Comparative Studies - Literary Genre Sample Answer Essay

Subject: English

Age range: 14 - 18

Resource type: Worksheet/Activity

Last updated

16 October 2018

• Share through email
• Share through twitter
• Share through linkedin
• Share through facebook
• Share through pinterest

Tes paid licence How can I reuse this?

Get this resource as part of a bundle and save up to 67%

A bundle is a package of resources grouped together to teach a particular topic, or a series of lessons, in one place.

Leaving Cert English Comparative Studies Bundle

This bundle contains one set of sample introductions for Comparative Studies essays and four individual essays: 1\. General Vision and Viewpoint of Sive, Casablanca and How Many Miles to Babylon?. 2\. General Vision and Viewpoint of Witness, Silas Marner and Juno and the Paycock. 3\. Literary Genre of Sive, Casablanca and How Many Miles to Babylon?. 4\. Literary Genre of Jane Eyre, Dances With Wolves and I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings.

Sive, Casablanca, How Many Miles to Babylon? - Leaving Cert English Comparative Studies Sample Essays and Introductions

This bundle features two Leaving Cert English Comparative Studies essays on the topics of Literary Genre and General Vision and Viewpoint. The texts examined are John B Keane's 'Sive', Jennifer Johnston's 'How Many Miles to Babylon?' and 'Casablanca', directed by Michael Curtiz. It also includes a file containing seven sample introductions for Comparative Studies essays.

Your rating is required to reflect your happiness.

It's good to leave some feedback.

Something went wrong, please try again later.

This resource hasn't been reviewed yet

To ensure quality for our reviews, only customers who have purchased this resource can review it

Report this resource to let us know if it violates our terms and conditions. Our customer service team will review your report and will be in touch.

Not quite what you were looking for? Search by keyword to find the right resource:

SimpleStudy® Subject Guides

Leaving certificate irish exam & revision.

The Leaving Certificate Irish Exam is the final test for students studying Irish as part of their Leaving Cert. Irish is mandatory for most students and is regarded as one of the larger subjects and more difficult subjects students must prepare for. Ireland's Leaving Cert Irish Course is comprised of two parts, an Oral examination and Paper Examination. The Leaving Cert Irish Oral Exam is worth 40% of the overall grade, while the written paper exam carries the remaining 60%. SimpleStudy offers exclusive revision tools and learning resources for Leaving Certificate Irish. Revision Notes, Past Exams, Quizzes, Essays, Questions by topic, and other unique features usually reserved for private schools or expensive tutors.

SimpleStudy® H1 Revision Notes

Leaving cert irish notes.

Irish Leaving Cert Revision Notes; study beautiful, concise and carefully curated learning materials. SimpleStudy’s LC Irish Notes are broken down into curriculum focused topics, already highlighted, and structured for easy recall in an exam environment.

SimpleStudy® Past Papers

Leaving cert irish exams.

Irish Leaving Cert Exams; Easily study years of LC Irish Past Papers and marking schemes. Build custom Irish Exams or Tests from previous Irish exam questions with marking schemes for each answer. Studying Irish exam papers, marking schemes and building custom exams is effective & easy with SimpleStudy.

SimpleStudy® Questions by topic

Leaving cert irish questions.

Leaving Cert Irish Questions; Explore LC Irish state exam questions. SimpleStudy’s Irish questions are divided by topic, timed, and offer a marking scheme for each question. Easily study previous Irish questions, pick your topic, and simulate the exam environment with our unique timer for each Irish question.

SimpleStudy® Quiz by topic

Leaving cert irish quizzes.

Leaving Cert Irish Quizzes; Unique LC Irish quizzes designed for each topic. Practice multiple choice LC Irish quizzes built to replicate short form exam questions. Pick an Irish quiz, answer each quiz question, and review your results; check what answers you got, how long the quiz took you, and try to beat your high score.

SimpleStudy® Essays

Leaving cert irish essays.

H1 Leaving Cert Irish Essays; study perfect Irish sample Essays. Concise and curated for specific LC Irish Essay questions. SimpleStudy’s LC Irish essays allows you read full Essays for key exam questions. Review exclusive Irish essays and get full marks in your Leaving Cert Irish Exam with Simplestudy’s sample Essays.

Leaving Cert Irish topics to explore

Poetry - an spailpín fánach, poetry - an tearrach thiar, poetry - colscaradh, poetry - géibheann, poetry - mo ghrá-sa, a thig ná tit orm, prose - an gnáthrud, prose - cáca milis, prose - oisin i dtír na nóg, prose - hurlamaboc, prose - dís, poetry - éiceolaí, poetry - caoineadh áirt, poetry - fill arís, poetry - a chlann, the family as a caring unit, algebra topic.

Mathematics - Edexcel

97% of our students report improved grades

Whether you want an A+ or just less stress, we work with exam experts to help you study.

Already have an account? Log in

• Comment & Analysis

Sorting Leaving Cert grade inflation a test in which next government needs to achieve top marks

The proportion of students achieving the top grades is often doubling. File picture: Eddie O'Hare

A quick comparison of Leaving Cert results now compared to pre-pandemic grades shows just how much better students are doing now compared to then.

Take English. In 2019, 3% of students who sat the higher-level paper achieved a H1, the highest mark. In 2024, 6.9% of students got a H1.

In maths, 12.6% of higher-level students got the top mark. Pre-pandemic in 2019, just 6.4% got a H1.

One in 25 students who sat higher-level business in 2019 got a H1. This year, it was over one in 10.

Everywhere you look, the proportion of students achieving the top grades is often doubling.

We are now well over two years since the last time the Irish people were in covid lockdown, but the pandemic still looms large over the State exam system in Ireland.

The problem that was so obviously present last year lingers to the same, if not greater extent, this year: How can we move away from pandemic-era grade inflation once and for all?

'Return to normal'

Brought in to help ensure a level playing field for students facing fierce pressure from the impact on their education brought about by covid, there is nevertheless an awareness at Government level of the need to “return to normal” in some form.

Since 2020, each cohort that was due to sit their Leaving Cert that summer has faced disruption in one form or another.

That year, calculated grades were issued as the exams were cancelled, given Ireland was in its initial stages of grappling with the pandemic.

In 2021, students could decide between sitting the exams, getting similar accredited grades to the previous year, or a mix of both. However, the move to teacher-assessed marks in the State exams led to huge grade inflation compared to previous cohorts, with results at record-breaking levels.

'No cliff edge'

Given the disruption to all students in various ways through school closures and truncated schedules during the pandemic, the Government buzzword around State exams became “no cliff edge”. It meant there would be no sudden regression in the results that brought them back to pre-covid levels.

In 2022, Education Minister Norma Foley said there would be “no cliff edge” for students after that year’s results matched the previous year.

That was the first year students’ grades were artificially inflated to make sure they achieved the same result as the previous year. It involves literally raising the grade of students to ensure that, on aggregate, that cohort achieves the same results.

True to its word of “no cliff edge”, the Government did it again in 2023. And again this year.

When announcing the process for this year’s exams in April, Ms Foley again opted for the term — which appears three times in the Department of Education press release.

“I can confirm that the process of returning Leaving Certificate outcomes to pre-pandemic levels will begin for 2025 students and it will be a gradual process, in line with my commitment that there would be no cliff-edge in terms of a return to pre-pandemic outcomes,” she said.

“It is right to [adjust marks] again in 2024, with the majority of students this year not having had the opportunity to sit Junior Cycle examinations given that most students sitting the Leaving Certificate examinations in 2024 would have completed Junior Cycle in 2021.” 

The task of performing this “post-marking adjustment” again fell to the State Examinations Commission, upon which it falls to follow the minister’s direction.

This followed the same process as in 2022 and 2023, in what they call a “linear adjustment”. In simple terms, it means the lower grades get a bigger bump up compared to those who had the higher grades.

But, even for those already getting the higher grades, the 4.8% adjustment for them could make the difference between achieving the second highest grade of H2 and a H1.

The State Examinations Commission said when the class of 2024 had their results marked, they were broadly similar to the marks achieved by the class of 2023.

But, the class of 2023 had their grades bumped up to be on par with 2022. So, the same had to be done this year.

The result is a situation where 68% of all grades achieved in the Leaving Cert have increased following this “post-marking adjustment”. This is slightly less than the 71% of grades boosted in 2023, but significantly higher than the 50% increased in 2022.

Of all the grades achieved in higher-level exams, 14.3% were the top grades.

This is all, of course, good news for this year’s Leaving Cert class as they too get to benefit from the bumped-up grades of previous years.

Fierce competition for courses

But all of this means the already fierce competition for courses through the CAO process will remain to the fore this year, although students will be forced to wait until Wednesday to find out if they have been offered their top choice.

As well as the grades which are being kept at record highs, supply and demand plays a key role in dictating the points requirements for courses in institutions around the country. Demand for different courses can vary from year to year, and the points needed can change accordingly.

When it can come down to just a few points for students missing out on courses or, even worse, random selection in some cases, having their grades inflated could matter very little.

What is key for students now who may not be happy with certain results is to be aware of the options available to them.

From midday on Tuesday August 27, students can access the breakdown of their marks awarded for each subject through the candidate self-service portal. They can also apply to view their marked examinations scripts as well as making an appeal on the grade they were awarded.

They can then make such an appeal on the portal between 10am on Sunday September 1 and 5pm Monday September 2. The €40 fee for each subject appealed is waived if the student receives an upgrade to their mark.

The State Examinations Commission said: “For 2024, the SEC can advise that the intended date for the issue of the results of the Leaving Certificate appeals is Friday, September 27. This is the first time since 2019 that the SEC has been able to announce a date for the appeal results at the time of issue of the results.” 

That is welcome clarity for students who are appealing results. Despite the be-all-and-end-all narrative around the Leaving Cert, they will still have plenty of options available to them either via the CAO or other means, such as the Government-trumpeted apprenticeship programmes across the State.

As has been the case in previous years, once the dust settles on this year’s Leaving Cert, focus will soon turn to what the Government will do in 2025.

In that April announcement, the Department of Education signalled the phasing-out of post-marking adjustments to raise grades.

“Clarity on Leaving Cert result processes and timelines is critical to ensuring smooth transitions for students into post-school options, and enabling planning in the tertiary education sector,” it said.

But the solution outlined at the time was that grade bumping will still happen, but at a lesser scale compared to 2019.

“This means there will still be a post-marking adjustment exercise in 2025 that will seek to bring the overall set of results on the aggregate to a point no lower than broadly midway between the 2020 and 2021 levels,” Ms Foley said.

While lower than the 2024 outcomes, results on the aggregate in 2025 are expected to be above 2019 levels by at least 5.5% on average.

How the Government follows through on this will be watched closely. Looking further ahead, the department said once the 2025 Leaving Cert exams process is over, the experience “will be reviewed in order to determine the approach for the following year”.

After the results were issued last year, the now-Taoiseach, and then minister for migher education, Simon Harris told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland he believed there should be an end of grade inflation and a gradual return to normal.

“But, how you do it matters,” he said.

Among a hefty in-tray for whatever coalition comes to power after the next election, addressing the post-pandemic Leaving Cert exams once and for all will be one test in which the new government will certainly have to secure top marks.

more leaving cert articles

More in this section

S Mick Clifford: Never mind live forever, will the Oasis reunion live long enough to play in Dublin next year?

Revoiced newsletter.

Sign up to the best reads of the week from irishexaminer.com selected just for you.

Please click  here for our privacy statement.

Suzanne Harrington

Keep up with the stories of the day with our lunchtime news wrap.

The Mick Clifford Podcast

Friday, August 30, 2024 - 8:00 AM

Family Notices

© Examiner Echo Group Limited

Blog The Education Hub

https://educationhub.blog.gov.uk/2024/08/20/gcse-results-day-2024-number-grading-system/

GCSE results day 2024: Everything you need to know including the number grading system

Thousands of students across the country will soon be finding out their GCSE results and thinking about the next steps in their education.   

Here we explain everything you need to know about the big day, from when results day is, to the current 9-1 grading scale, to what your options are if your results aren’t what you’re expecting.  

When is GCSE results day 2024?  

GCSE results day will be taking place on Thursday the 22 August.     

The results will be made available to schools on Wednesday and available to pick up from your school by 8am on Thursday morning.  

Schools will issue their own instructions on how and when to collect your results.   

When did we change to a number grading scale?  

The shift to the numerical grading system was introduced in England in 2017 firstly in English language, English literature, and maths.  

By 2020 all subjects were shifted to number grades. This means anyone with GCSE results from 2017-2020 will have a combination of both letters and numbers.  

The numerical grading system was to signal more challenging GCSEs and to better differentiate between students’ abilities - particularly at higher grades between the A *-C grades. There only used to be 4 grades between A* and C, now with the numerical grading scale there are 6.  

What do the number grades mean?  

The grades are ranked from 1, the lowest, to 9, the highest.  

The grades don’t exactly translate, but the two grading scales meet at three points as illustrated below.  

The bottom of grade 7 is aligned with the bottom of grade A, while the bottom of grade 4 is aligned to the bottom of grade C.    

Meanwhile, the bottom of grade 1 is aligned to the bottom of grade G.  

What to do if your results weren’t what you were expecting?  

If your results weren’t what you were expecting, firstly don’t panic. You have options.  

First things first, speak to your school or college – they could be flexible on entry requirements if you’ve just missed your grades.   

They’ll also be able to give you the best tailored advice on whether re-sitting while studying for your next qualifications is a possibility.   

If you’re really unhappy with your results you can enter to resit all GCSE subjects in summer 2025. You can also take autumn exams in GCSE English language and maths.  

Speak to your sixth form or college to decide when it’s the best time for you to resit a GCSE exam.  

Look for other courses with different grade requirements     

Entry requirements vary depending on the college and course. Ask your school for advice, and call your college or another one in your area to see if there’s a space on a course you’re interested in.    

Consider an apprenticeship    

Apprenticeships combine a practical training job with study too. They’re open to you if you’re 16 or over, living in England, and not in full time education.  

As an apprentice you’ll be a paid employee, have the opportunity to work alongside experienced staff, gain job-specific skills, and get time set aside for training and study related to your role.   

You can find out more about how to apply here .  

Talk to a National Careers Service (NCS) adviser    

The National Career Service is a free resource that can help you with your career planning. Give them a call to discuss potential routes into higher education, further education, or the workplace.   

Whatever your results, if you want to find out more about all your education and training options, as well as get practical advice about your exam results, visit the  National Careers Service page  and Skills for Careers to explore your study and work choices.   

You may also be interested in:

• Results day 2024: What's next after picking up your A level, T level and VTQ results?
• When is results day 2024? GCSEs, A levels, T Levels and VTQs

Tags: GCSE grade equivalent , gcse number grades , GCSE results , gcse results day 2024 , gsce grades old and new , new gcse grades

Sharing and comments

Share this page, related content and links, about the education hub.

The Education Hub is a site for parents, pupils, education professionals and the media that captures all you need to know about the education system. You’ll find accessible, straightforward information on popular topics, Q&As, interviews, case studies, and more.

Please note that for media enquiries, journalists should call our central Newsdesk on 020 7783 8300. This media-only line operates from Monday to Friday, 8am to 7pm. Outside of these hours the number will divert to the duty media officer.

Members of the public should call our general enquiries line on 0370 000 2288.

Sign up and manage updates

Follow us on social media, search by date.

Comments and moderation policy

• Junior Cert
• Elizabeth Bishop
• Emily Dickinson
• Seamus Heaney
• Thomas Kinsella
• Derek Mahon
• All 2014 guides on CD
• Sylvia Plath
• Eavan Boland (LC 2012)
• Patrick Kavanagh (LC 2012)
• Adrienne Rich (LC 2013)
• Gerard Manley Hopkins (LC 2013)
• Cancelled Order
• Thank You for your order

Sample Short Story 2

This story was written by my little sis Sarah when she was in school (she lives in London now and works in theatre, daaahling). It showcases how to work a twist into the fabric of your story using the technique of plant and pay-off. Enjoy!

His Word Was Law

“Where’s my lunch?” demanded Charles.

“I’m just getting it ready now” replied Carol.

“Well hurry up, I’m starving” he snapped.

The poor girl wiped her floury hand across her brow, whitening further her already washed out complexion. Head bowed, her mousey un-brushed hair hanging limply to her shoulders, she shuffled tiredly around the kitchen as if each trip from counter to press to counter was a half-marathon.

“Finally” he snapped as she carried his meal into the dining room and placed it before him at the head of the table. “If that’s all you want I’ll just go” she broached timidly. “Umph” he muttered not even hearing her. Sighing with relief she slowly made her way back to the kitchen and flopped into the nearest chair. Ravenous, but too exhausted to move, the aroma of Charles’ food was almost torture. Eventually she summoned the energy to rise and fixed herself a simple sandwich. “What was I thinking?” she wondered aloud. Not that she could really complain. She’d gladly taken the job and it did pay quite well. It was just that she never anticipated how gruelling it would be.

“Carol” came the summons from the other room. Slowly she rose from her chair, praying that her fatigued feet would support her weight, slight as it was. “Yes” she sighed wearily when she reached the door of the dining room. “I’m finished” was all he said, not even looking at her, let alone saying thanks. Then again, he probably doesn’t even know how much I’d appreciate it, she mused miserably. Caught in her reverie, she didn’t notice the proximity of her sleeve to the glass until it was too late. Luckily the crash of breaking glass drowned out her obscenity. “My drink! Clean it up” he shouted angrily before storming from the room. Not that she needed telling. The red liquid was spreading quickly across the carpet leaving a painfully obvious mark.

Squeezing out her cloth over the sink, she gazed absent-mindedly out the window to observe a landscape which aptly reflected her mood. Heavy grey clouds loomed menacingly overhead, deadening everything, even managing to overshadow the jubilation of nature in early spring. Only the golden daffodils swaying rhythmically in the slight breeze lifted the atmosphere of gloom and dejection. Yet they could do little for Carol’s frame of mind.

As she passed the door to her basement quarters her body told her to go to bed, but her head knew she couldn’t risk it in case Charles called her. Instead she moved slowly from room to room, absent-mindedly cleaning up after him. If she’d had the energy she would almost have found it funny that one person could make this much mess.

A noise made her look up and there he was, framed in the doorway, hands on hips, a furious expression etching deep furrows on his forehead, the quintessential ‘master of the house’ pose.

“What did you do with my books?” he demanded.

“I thought you were finished with them, I put them in the drawer”.

“Well I wasn’t. Don’t touch my things unless I tell you” he ranted before storming from the room yet again.

Shocked by the abruptness of the outburst, she stopped dead for a minute before continuing on as before. She couldn’t wait until the housekeeper got here, at least then she might have a rest. She began to prepare dinner, watching as the weather got gradually worse. A gale was now blowing, tossing even the huge sycamore as if it were a mere sapling. A light drizzle had begun to fall and nightfall was closing in swiftly. Carol supposed she should light a fire but then she only had two hands. “It’ll have to wait” she said aloud, if only to break the eerie silence. Just then the back door opened and the housekeeper entered and dumped her shopping bags on the floor. Carol heaved a sigh of relief. “Oh Mum, thank God you’re home. I never realised what a tyrant a five year old could be!.

3 responses to “ Sample Short Story 2 ”

Recent posts.

• A long slow goodbye…
• Lear’s journey
• Some themes in Lear…
• King Lear – Plot Chronology
• King Lear quotes (in translation!)
• Justice in King Lear – how to construct an answer…
• The Old Warrior and Me
• Single text options…
• Tackling the Comparative
• Reading Shakespeare (Othello)
• Game Based Learning
• Originality – Freshness – Energy – Style
• Discussions
• Comprehensions
• Comparative
• Studied poetry
• Unseen poetry
• Media Studies
• Uncategorized

Affiliations

Nominations.

Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin Leaving Cert Sample Essay #625Lab

“ ní chuilleanáin ’s demanding subject matter and formidable style can prove challenging.”, discuss this statement, supporting your answer with reference to the poetry of eiléan ní chuilleanáin on your course..

Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin is regarded  by numerous people  as one of the most important contemporary Irish women poets. Ní Chuilleanáin is  commemorated   (not the best choice of words. How about celebrated ?)  for being mysterious and complex. Her personal stories give way to more general mysterious patterns of meaning.  (What is a pattern of meaning ?)  Accounts, memories  from the past  and loved ones who have passed away are kept alive through her poetry. This is evident in both the poems “Fireman’s Lift” and “The Bend In The Road”. Ní Chuilleanáin’s subject matter varies from social commentary and reflection of religious issues to quiet  subjective   (?)  poems about human nature. She is knowledgeable in history and a strong impression of connection among past and present characteristics  are   is  seen in her work which leads to her drawing interesting parallels between historical events and modern situations.  (This is a classic: a reasonable statement expressed in an impossibly long sentence that destroys all sense it with punctuation errors. Avoid long sentences!)   Ní Chuilleanáin  ’s poetry is technically accomplished, graceful and sometimes mysterious, filled with speculations and questions for which there are no definite answers.  What impression does this intro create? It paints a picture of a student who studied the poet, who knows a lot and has reflected on it but is really unclear and unable to synthesise her knowledge in a way that’s palatable to the examiner. This is a tragic situation as the return for this author’s hard work is very poor. What is her main problem? She’s not clear. There is no structure to this vague blurb. I am still not sure what she is going to talk about. The good news is that this author is ripe to go from a middling grade to a very high one within a day of bootcamp style  practice . The rest of this essay was ok, but here is another one that contains more learning points:

As I hope I have demonstrated, Ní Chuilleanáin’s demanding subject matter and formidable style can often prove challenging. (Again, a little mechanical. It’s true that you are restating a lot of what you’ve already said, but try to be more subtle than a sledge-hammer.) Her themes, including love, death, religion and family are never straight forward, but her unique and iconic style makes for complex yet enjoyable reading.

Many thanks to the author, Ben O’Donnell

Leaving Cert essays are marked using “PCLM”

Clarity of purpose:, coherence of delivery, efficiency of language use, accuracy of mechanics, it has all been tidied up here, but remember that this  counts for 10% .