State Exams 2026 will bring important deadlines for students across Ireland, from the Leaving Certificate and Leaving Certificate Applied to the Junior Cycle. With results, script viewing, appeals and deferred examinations all following set schedules, candidates and families should carefully note the key dates published by the Department of Education and Youth.
State Exams 2026: Key Results Dates
Leaving Certificate results are scheduled to become available through the Candidate Self Service Portal (CSSP) at 10am on Friday 21 August 2026. Students will be able to view their results and print an official statement. The State Examinations Commission (SEC) will also provide Leaving Certificate results directly to the Central Applications Office, allowing higher education offers to be processed.
Junior Cycle results are planned for release from 10am on Wednesday 7 October 2026. Students should use the official SEC channels for updates and guidance.
Support for students and parents
The SEC candidate helpline will operate from 9am to 5pm from 21 August for questions about the CSSP and related services. A separate National Parents and Students Leaving Certificate Helpline will provide phone and text support during the results and CAO offer period:
- Phone: 1800 265 165
- Text: 086 1800685
Wellbeing resources are also available through the National Educational Psychological Service, the Health Service Executive (HSE), Jigsaw, SpunOut and other HSE-funded providers.
State Exams 2026 Timetable and Assessment Arrangements
Written Leaving Certificate examinations will run from Wednesday 3 June to Tuesday 23 June 2026. Leaving Certificate Applied examinations will take place from 3 June to 11 June, while Junior Cycle written examinations will run from 3 June to 15 June.
Leaving Certificate oral examinations are scheduled for Saturday 28 March to Thursday 2 April, during the first week of the Easter school holidays. Coursework rules and procedures for 2025/2026 have also been published by the SEC.
The assessment adjustments used in recent years will continue for the 2026 cohort. These arrangements retain the familiar examination structure while providing additional choice in relevant assessments.
Appeals, Script Viewing and Deferred Examinations
Applications to view Leaving Certificate scripts will be accepted through the CSSP from 5pm on 25 August until 8pm on 26 August. Online viewing for most scripts is scheduled from 9am on 29 August to 9am on 30 August, with paper-marked scripts available at schools during two sessions on 29 August.
Appeal applications must be submitted through the CSSP between 10am on 30 August and 5pm on 31 August. The provisional date for Leaving Certificate appeal results is 11am on Friday 25 September. Appeal fees are €40 per Leaving Certificate subject and €15.50 per Leaving Certificate Applied subject, with refunds available for successful appeals.
Deferred examinations will be available to eligible candidates unable to sit the main examinations because of a serious medical condition or close family bereavement. The deferred sitting is scheduled from Wednesday 24 June to Saturday 11 July in selected schools.
Examination Fees and Practical Guidance
School-based Leaving Certificate candidates will pay €116 per entry, while Junior Cycle candidates will pay €109 per entry. Candidates with a full medical card, including those covered by a parent or guardian’s full medical card, are exempt.
Students should save CSSP login details, check official SEC instructions, record every deadline and seek guidance promptly if they need script viewing, an appeal or deferred-examination support. The Department of Education and Youth, the State Examinations Commission and CAO remain the authoritative sources for examination information.
Key takeaway: State Exams 2026 candidates should prepare early, follow the published timetable and use official support services when results, appeals or wellbeing concerns arise.
Article/Image Courtesy: gov.ie
