From Thursday 26th March to Wednesday April 1st 2020, the ISSU ran a survey aimed at Junior and Leaving Certificate Students asking them what they wanted to see happen with the upcoming state examinations.

The response was enormous, with over 46,000 students responding to the survey alone in the short time frame, and hundreds more inputting their views via email and social media.

The key findings of the survey include;

• Junior Certificate students are vastly in favour of cancellation of the upcoming exams, and for predicted grades along with already-completed coursework to decide their final grades. 77% of students chose this as their preferred solution

• The largest amount of Leaving Certificate students are also in favour of cancellation of exams, and for predicted grades along with coursework to define their final grade. 49% of students chose this as their preferred solution.

• There is a significant minority of Leaving Certificate students who are against a solution involving predicted grades. Indeed there is a large polarisation between students who want to sit an exam at some stage in the coming months, versus those who do not.

• All students want immediate clarity from the Department of Education on if and how the State Exams will be run.

The ISSU will be advocating on behalf of students based off the results of this survey, and looking to address the concerns shared by many students, particularly regarding predicted grading.

Where the main recommendations of this survey may not be possible, the ISSU will advocate for the next most favoured option among students.

The ISSU will now look to cooperate with the Department of Education & Skills and other educational stakeholders to find a solution that will alleviate the stress and uncertainty that has faced students in recent weeks, and be as fair as possible to all students.

The entire report including further analysis of the survey and the ISSU’s recommendations to the Department of Education & Skills can be read here: