Ireland's State Examinations Commission (SEC) released Leaving Certificate 2024 results today to students who sat this year’s Leaving Certificate Established, Leaving Certificate Applied, and Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme examinations.

Commonly known as 'The Leaving Cert,' it is the final exam in the Irish secondary school system and the university matriculation examination in Ireland. 

For the third year in a row, the Leaving Cert results were subject to post-marking adjustments (PMA) to account for pandemic disruptions. The SEC said on Friday that 68% of all grades increased following the marking process. The range of adjustment was from 12.1% added to those at the bottom of the scale to 4.8% added at the top. Overall, the 2024 adjustment results in an average adjustment of 7.5%.

13 students at Christian Brothers College in Co Cork received the maximum 625 points, as did a student at St. Kevin's College, a DEIS school in Finglas, North Dublin, RTÉ News reported on Friday.

The 60,839 students across Ireland who are receiving their Leaving Certificate examination results today have received warm congratulations from Minister for Education Norma Foley, Minister of State for Special Education and Inclusion Hildegarde Naughton, and Minister of State for Sport and Physical Education Thomas Byrne.

Minister Foley also welcomed the confirmation from SEC that it intends to issue the results of any Leaving Certificate appeals on September 27, and also that it intends to issue Junior Cycle results on October 9, a year earlier than last year.

Huge congratulations to the Leaving Certificate class of 2024! A joy to meet with students today at St Michael’s College, Presentation Listowel, Coláiste na Ríochta and Causeway Community College. pic.twitter.com/ANhbPD1LOA

— Norma Foley T.D (@NormaFoleyTD1) August 23, 2024

Taoiseach Simon Harris also extended his congratulations to the more than 60,000 students in Ireland receiving their Leaving Cert results today.

“Today is one of those milestone days in your life and I hope our students across Ireland enjoy the final chapter in their school lives.

“The range of emotions students will experience today will go from delight to disappointment but it’s so important to keep everything in perspective.

"Receiving the Leaving Cert results is not only about points on a page but the beginning of the next stage of your life. That might be college, work, an apprenticeship, a PLC, or a path that you haven’t yet decided on.”

The Taoiseach added: “I was part of the class of 2004. When I got my results Natasha Bedingfield was number 1 in the charts (followed by Brian McFadden), 'The Day After Tomorrow' was in the cinema, Bertie Ahern was the Taoiseach, George W. Bush was US President, the iPod Mini was the thing to have and NASA landed two probes on Mars.

“That was 20 years ago this month and believe me when I say the next 20 years of your lives are going to be exciting and will spring a few surprises. That starts for you all today and you will find your way.

"Also please remember everything your parents, guardians, family, and friends have done to get you here. It’s a big day for them too.

"Enjoy the celebrations, stay safe, and well done.”

Meanwhile, the National Parents and Students Leaving Cert Helpline (1800-265-165) will operate from today, August 23 until August 31, from 10 am to 5 pm each day, except for August 25 when it will be closed and August 31 when it will be open from 10 am to 2 pm.

The Helpline is a free-phone service provided to Leaving Certificate students and their parents and guardians. The Helpline is staffed by qualified and experienced guidance counsellors who will deliver one to one support to parents and students. The guidance counsellors involved in the helpline are members of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors (IGC).

The National Parent and Student Leaving Cert Helpline is supported by the Department of Education, the National Parents’ Council, the Irish Second Level Students’ Union (ISSU), and Trinity College Dublin.

A range of well-being resources developed by Ireland's National Educational Psychological Service is also available here.

HSE/HSE-funded service providers will be available to support students through the provision of mental health services. More information is available here.

Schools have been asked to provide support to candidates today, results day, by allowing them to come to the school if they wish to at a scheduled time, to meet with members of the Student Support Team such as guidance counsellors, year heads, tutors, and chaplains.