State Examinations 2026

Information on the Junior Cycle and Leaving Certificate examinations, including regular updates throughout the examinations period, is available from the website of the State Examinations Commission www.examinations.ie

The phone number for all enquiries is 090 6442700.

The Leaving Certificate 2026 written examinations will start on Wednesday, 3 June 2026 and finish on Tuesday, 23 June 2026.

The full timetable for the examinations is available on the State Examinations Commission’s website.

The Leaving Certificate Applied 2026 written examinations will start on Wednesday, 3 June 2026 and finish on Thursday, 11 June 2026.

The full timetable for the examinations is available on the State Examinations Commission’s website.

The Junior Cycle written examinations will start on Wednesday, 3 June 2026 and finish on Monday, 15 June 2026.

The full timetable for the examinations is available on the State Examinations Commission’s website.

The SEC has published consolidated Coursework Rules and Procedures for 2025/2026.

Examination fees

Examination entry fees will apply in 2026 at €116 per entry for a school-based Leaving Certificate candidate and €109 per entry for a Junior Cycle candidate.

Candidates who hold a full medical card, or who are covered for all services on a parent or guardian’s full medical card, are exempt from examination fees.

Higher rates of fees apply to external candidates who are taking more than one subject in the Leaving Certificate Examinations. For further information, visit the State Examinations Commission’s website.

Oral examinations

The 2026 Leaving Certificate Oral examinations will be conducted in the first week of the school Easter holidays from Saturday, 28 March to Thursday, 2 April inclusive. Candidates must present themselves over this time period. Candidates who are ill or bereaved may be accommodated with a later Oral examination in late May, subject to evidence.

For further information, visit Examinations 2026.

Music practical performance tests

The 2026 Leaving Certificate Music Practical Performance tests will take place from Monday, 13 April to Friday, 24 April.

The Junior Cycle Music Practical Performance tests will take place from Monday, 2 March to Friday, 13 March.

For further information, visit the State Examinations Commission’s website.

Return to pre-Covid-19 arrangements for the State Examinations

The Minister for Education and Youth confirmed in April this year that the existing examination and assessment adjustments, which have been in place since 2022, would remain in place for the Leaving Certificate 2026 cohort.

On 5 November 2025, the Minister also confirmed that, for Leaving Certificate 2027 cohort and beyond, these adjustments will remain in place for all existing subjects until they are replaced by new or revised specifications under Senior Cycle Redevelopment.

Details in relation to these arrangements can be found here.

The Minister for Education and Youth has confirmed that the examinations and assessment adjustments that have applied in recent years, will continue to apply for students in 2026. These assist students by leaving intact the familiar overall structure of the examinations, while incorporating additional choice for students.