By Niamh Dwyer, Chairperson of the Kerry Branch of Guidance Counsellors

There is no doubt that the path to the Leaving Certificate has been challenging for the Class of 2022 but the end to that journey is in sight with results to be issued on Friday, September 2.

Students will be able to access results online, through the Candidate Self Service Portal (CSSP) from 10am and will also have the option of receiving them in school. To access results online you will need your examination number, CSSP password and PPS number.

This is an extremely anxious time for students and parents. Leaving Certificate results’ day is a significant milestone, marking the end of secondary school and the beginning of the next part of the journey. It is important however to keep the results in perspective and remember that the results neither define you nor prevent you from realising your potential in your chosen pathway after school. Where possible it can be a real comfort to have a parent/guardian, sibling, relative or friend with you when getting the results as it is a day that is filled with lots of different emotions. When you receive your results, you will see the subject, level and grade achieved such as H1, H2, H3, 02, 03 and so on. You will not see actual percentages, the breakdown of marks or the points achieved. If you wish to calculate your points you can do so on the Careers Portal Leaving Cert CAO Points Calculator App, so it is a good idea to download that to your phone beforehand.

Access to Examination Data and Viewing of Scripts

Once the results have been issued there are very important dates and deadlines which students must be aware of. From 12pm on Tuesday, September 6 all students will get access to their examination data through the CSSP. This will include a detailed breakdown of marks in each subject, including each component of the paper such as practicals, project work, orals and so on. You will then have the option to apply to view your examination scripts. Detailed marking schemes for each subject will also be made available to all students. The timeline to apply to view the script is very short. Leaving Certificate students can apply online only via the CSSP from 5pm from Tuesday, September 6 until Wednesday, September 7 at 8pm while LCA students must apply by email. It is important to view exam scripts if you are considering appealing any subject results. The State Examinations Commission (SEC) have stated that all deadlines are strict and final.

A detailed Candidate Information Guide to Results and Appeals will be emailed to all students before the results on Friday September 2. This will include information on which examinations were corrected manually and which were corrected online. Scripts in subjects which were marked online will be available to view online between 9am on Saturday September 10 and 12pm on Sunday September 11. Scripts in subjects which were marked manually will be available for viewing in the schools. Students will be assigned to one of three sessions on Saturday September 10, 9am – 11am, 12pm – 2pm or 3pm – 5pm.

Applications to Appeal

Once students have viewed examination scripts and marking schemes for their subjects, there is the option to apply to appeal the results. Applications to appeal can be made through the CSSP from 9am on Saturday, September 10, up to 12pm on Monday the 12th. It is very important to look carefully at the scripts before applying as it is possible for students to be downgraded as well as upgraded on appeal. No date has been issued for the results of appeal by the SEC, this will be confirmed once the number of applications to appeal are known.

Second-chance Maths exam to meet CAO course requirements

Some HEIs offer students who have not received the required minimum grade in Maths for their chosen course, the opportunity to sit an alternative Maths exam. These exams usually take place in the week after the Leaving Cert results are issued. Details of the HEIs which run these exams can be found in the ‘Important Dates’ section of the CAO website and information on specific dates, exam structure and links to apply are available on the individual HEI websites.

As well as the timeline for results and appeals, the coming weeks will also see the beginning of the CAO offers with Round 1 offers out on September 8 at 2pm. This means that while you will find out results on Friday the 2nd, there is still an anxious wait to learn about what college places you are to be offered. The most important thing to reflect on coming up to the results is that there is not just one pathway open to students - but several. You should celebrate reaching this milestone, safely and appropriately, and be assured that regardless of what results you get, there is a bright future ahead.

Helplines

If you need to contact the SEC around the time of the results, call 090 6442702 or email candidateportal@examinations.ie.

A dedicated SEC Candidate Helpline will also be available.

The National Parents Council Post Primary (NPCPP) will also be running their annual helpline which is supported by qualified guidance counsellors from September 2 to 14 from 2pm-8pm. Students, parents and guardians can contact the Freephone number on 1800 265 165.

Niamh Dwyer is a Guidance Counsellor in Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra, Rathmore, and Chairperson of the Kerry Branch of Guidance Counsellors. She is also a Careers Advisor - For details see www.mycareerplan.ie or follow @mycareerplan on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.