Over 2,000 students starting State exams in Offaly

Over 2,000 students will be starting their Leaving Certificate or Junior Cycle State exams in Offaly today (Wednesday, June 3).

Leaving Certificate students across the county are today sitting English Paper 1 and Home Economics, while Junior Cycle students are taking English and Religious Education. The number of students in Offaly who are due to face into their first Leaving Cert paper today is 1,202. At junior cycle level, 1,220 will be sitting the exams.

Nationally, some 146,553 candidates are due to commence their Leaving Certificate and Junior Cycle examinations across the country in 5,860 main and 11,600 special examination centres through a network of over 800 post-primary schools, and

other venues recognised by the State Examinations Commission.

The examinations will run until Tuesday, June 23 for Leaving Certificate and Monday, June 15 for Junior Cycle examinations.

The numbers of candidates due to sit the 2026 State examinations have reached a new record level, surpassing 146,000 for the first time. Overall, the number entered has increased by four per cent

compared with 2025, when 140,457 candidates entered for the examinations. The most significant increases are in the numbers entered for the Leaving Certificate programme which are up nine per cent.

Speaking before the start of the examinations, Ms. Jacinta Stewart, chairperson of the State Examinations Commission said: “For candidates, their families and school authorities across the country,

the State examinations are a landmark event marking years of learning, commitment and preparation. On behalf of my fellow Commissioners and the staff of the SEC, I want to wish every candidate the very best as they begin their examinations. I also want to acknowledge the significant contribution made

by school communities including principals, deputy principals, examinations aides, teachers and special needs assistants, whose ongoing dedication supports candidates at this time.”