What’s different about The Leaving Certificate Applied is that students are examined on their work as they go along.
The programme is divided into half year blocks called ‘sessions’ of which there are four over the two year programme. Students are assessed on their work in January and May of each year when a session ends
Students who successfully complete the programme will receive a Leaving Certificate from the State Examinations Commission. All credits awarded will be recorded on the Leaving Certificate Applied parchment.
This certificate will be awarded at three levels:
| Award | Result | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Pass | 60-69 % | (120 – 139 credits) |
| Merit | 70-84 % | (140 – 169 credits) |
| Distinction | 85-100 % | (170 – 200 credits) |
Candidates who acquire less than 120 credits will receive a Record of Experience. This will also apply to those who leave before the end of the programme.
The Leaving Certificate Applied assessment takes place over the two years under three headings:
Satisfactory Completion of Modules
Performance of Student Tasks
Performance in the Terminal Examinations.
- Modules
At the end of each Session a student is credited on satisfactory completion of the appropriate modules (coursework).
- Student Tasks
Student Tasks (projects) are assessed by external examiners appointed by the Department of Education and Science. These Tasks may be in a variety of formats – written, audio, video, artefact etc. Each student is also required to produce a report on the process of completing the Task. This report may be incorporated in the evidence of task performance.Chief Examiner Reports on all student tasks are available to download from the State Examinations Commission Website at www.examinations.ie
- Terminal Examinations
Terminal Examinations are provided in the following areas:
English and Communication
Two Vocational Specialisms
Mathematical Applications
Language (Gaeilge Chumarsáideach & Modern European Languages)
Social Education
The written examinations will generally be held in the same period as other Leaving Certificate examinations.
Oral examinations, as well as written/aural examinations, will be held in the case of all the languages including English and Communications.
Past examination papers, practical examination assignment briefs, marking schemes and Chief Examiner Reports are available to download from the website of the State Examinations Commission at www.examinations.ie