2026 RACE instructions for schools

The SEC is now initiating the 2026 RACE Application process with the online publication of the 2026 RACE Instructions for Schools and the application forms for Leaving Certificate and Leaving Certificate Applied candidates, which have a deadline of 21 November, and Junior Cycle candidates, which have a deadline of 12 December 2025.

All of these documents will be in schools in hard copy immediately following the return to schools from the October mid-term break and are available electronically here

The SEC has commenced a comprehensive system wide review of the RACE Scheme which will seek to take account of the relevant issues and take account of best practice internationally.

Further details on the governance and oversight of the review, the Steering Group membership and the Terms of Reference for the review can be found on the SEC website; https://www.examinations.ie/RACEReview/

The SEC has not at this point confirmed any adjustments to the RACE Scheme for the 2026 examinations. However, the SEC is continuing to work on assessing eligibility for an expanded scheme of additional time on a pilot basis which it intends will be place for the 2026 certificate examinations for certain candidates already eligible for the RACE Scheme. The SEC will engage further with stakeholders on these pilot arrangements including, in particular, school management and leadership bodies, noting the extremely important role played by school authorities in the successful delivery of the State examinations each year.

Any changes made to expand the scheme will be applied to those candidates who are already eligible for RACE supports and who are deemed eligible based on the criteria to be developed. Therefore it is important that schools should proceed with applications for the 2026 RACE scheme in line with the timelines set out in the 2026 RACE Instructions for Schools document.