‘Outstanding’ Junior Cert result anticipated in Kerry
THE 62,968 candidates, including 1,936 (919 female, 997 male) candidates from Kerry, who signed up for the Junior Cert exam get their results today. Congratulations to all concerned on an outstanding achievement which they can celebrate with due care. The Junior Cert exam is often overshadowed by the more public Leaving Cert exam but it’s a very important exam in its own right. Junior Cycle enables students to complete a broad and balanced curriculum and to acquire the knowledge and skills that allows them to proceed to Senior Cycle.
Candidates are awarded a certificate of achievement at Level 3 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). This valuable document confirms that the candidate has successfully completed Junior Cycle education at the subject levels and grades shown on the cert. The cert also carries the prestige and imprimatur of the State Examinations Commission (SEC), which enjoys a world- wide reputation for its independence, integrity and fairness.
Six new grade descriptors - Distinction, Higher Merit, Merit, Achieved, Partially Achieved, and Not Graded - are being gradually phased in until 2021 in the reformed Junior Cycle programme. Both the old A, B, C, D, E, F and NG grades and the new grading systems will appear side-by-side on the results issued by the SEC and on the new Junior Certificate Profile of Achievement (JCPA).
The broad curricular base of the Junior Cycle gives students insight into their aptitudes, abilities, interests and personality. The Junior Cert exam also measures a student’s standard after three years of post-primary education. As well as the academic content, subjects like Physical Education, Career Guidance, Social and Health Education (SHE), Civic, Social and Political Education (CSPE) along with a comprehensive programme of extra-curricular activities develop self-awareness in each student. In short, a personal career profile begins to emerge during the three years of Junior Cycle.
With very few students now leaving school after this exam, the Junior Cert is a passport to Senior Cycle education, which lasts for two or three years, depending on whether the optional Transition Year (TY) is taken. Senior Cycle caters for students in the 15 to 18 year age group. An optional Transition Year, which follows immediately after the Junior Cycle, provides an opportunity for students to experience a wide range of educational inputs, including work experience, over the course of a year that is free from formal exams.
During the final two years of Senior Cycle students take one of three programmes, each leading to a state exam - the traditional Leaving Certificate (LC), the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP) or the Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA).
The traditional Leaving Cert exam, a Level 5 qualification on the NFQ, is the terminal exam of post-primary education and is taken when students are about 18 years of age. Syllabi are available in more than 30 subjects and students usually study seven subjects including Irish, English and Mathematics. All subjects are available at higher and ordinary level. A foundation level paper is also available in Irish and Mathematics.
The Leaving Cert Vocational Programme (LCVP), also a Level 5 qualification on the NFQ, is similar to the traditional Leaving Cert Programme, with a concentration on technical subjects and some additional modules called Link Modules, which have a vocational focus.
The Leaving Cert Applied (LCA) Programme, a Level 4 qualification on the NFQ, is a self-contained two-year course, which meets the needs of students who are not adequately catered for by the other Leaving Cert programmes. It is a person-centred course involving a cross-curricular approach rather than a subject based structure.
Congratulations to all Junior Cert candidates getting results today from the SEC. Most schools will now give those moving on to Senior Cycle a few days to firm up their Leaving Cert subject grouping. Students should carefully consider their Leaving Cert subject choice, think about their course options and the related careers. In the end, it’s important to choose wisely as this is the first step on the path to college.
The Junior Cert exam is a very important exam in its own right
The Junior Cert is a Level 3 qualification on the NFQ
The Junior Cert exam is a test of achievement Six new Junior Cert grade descriptors are being phased in until 2021
The Junior Cycle provides students with insights into their aptitudes, abilities, interests and personality
The Junior Cert exam is a passport to Senior Cycle education
An optional Transition Year is available immediately after the Junior Cycle
During the final two years of Senior Cycle students take the traditional Leaving Certificate (LC), the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP) or the Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA)