The Junior Cert and Leaving Cert exams are underway. Here are the timetables for both and some of the most commonly asked questions about them.
The JC Timetable
The junior cycle examination, or "junior cert" more colloquially, will occur between Wednesday, June 5th, and Monday, June 17th.
As you'll see in the timetable issued by the State Examinations Commission (Coimisiún na Scrúduithe Stáit), there are typically two exams a day, with more on certain days.
| Date | Time | Subject | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 5 | 9:30 - 11:30 | English | Higher & Ordinary Level |
| 1:30 - 3:30 | Religious Education | Common Level | |
| June 6 | 9:30 - 11:30 | Irish T1 (incl. aural) | Higher & Ordinary Level |
| 9:30 - 11:30 | Irish T2 (incl. aural) | Higher & Ordinary Level | |
| 1:30 - 3:30 | Geography | Common Level | |
| June 7 | 9:30 - 11:30 | History | Common Level |
| 1:30 - 3:30 | Mathematics | Higher & Ordinary Level | |
| June 10 | 9:30 - 11:30 | Science | Common Level |
| 1:30 - 3:30 | Business Studies | Common Level | |
| June 11 | 9:30 - 11:30 | Graphics | Common Level |
| 9:30 - 11:30 | Italian (incl. aural) | Common Level | |
| 1:30 - 3:30 | French (incl. aural) | Common Level | |
| June 12 | 9:30 - 11:00 | Home Economics | Common Level |
| 1:30 - 3:30 | Spanish (incl. aural) | Common Level | |
| June 13 | 9:30 - 11:30 | German (incl. aural) | Common Level |
| 1:30 - 3:00 | Wood Technology | Common Level | |
| June 14 | 9:30 - 11:30 | Jewish Studies | Common Level |
| 9:30 - 11:00 | Music | Common Level | |
| 1:30 - 3:00 | Engineering | Common Level | |
| 1:30 - 3:30 | Classics | Common Level | |
| June 17 | 9:30 - 11:00 | Applied Technology | Common Level |
Common Questions about the Junior Cert
What is the Junior Cert?
The Junior Cert is the state examination taken by students in Ireland at the end of their Junior Cycle in school. This is usually at the ages of 15 and 16, and students are tested on the various things they've learned in their first three years of secondary education.
What Subjects Are Included in the Junior Cert?
A student can take many subjects for their Junior Cert, including English, Maths, and Irish (Gaeilge), the core subjects.
Students also have the option to pick various other optional subjects, such as Science, History, Geography, various languages, Home Economics, Woodwork, and Art.
The core subjects are the most “popular” since every student has to take them (apart from those with an exemption).
As for the optional subjects, Science, Geography, and History are all popular choices.
When Is the Junior Cert Taken?
Please see the timetable above for the exact dates of the 2024 junior cert examinations. Typically, the junior Cert and Leaving Cert examinations take place in June.
This year is no different.
How Has Junior Cert Changed in Recent Years?
Several significant reforms in Ireland's educational system have recently affected the Junior Cert.
Firstly, changes to the Junior Cycle Framework to modernise the exams have included a greater focus on continuous assessment and project work.
The changes involved ensuring the curriculum was more relevant to the 21st century while also focusing on critical skills for students, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, and collaborative skills.
The recent changes in the Junior Cert have been designed to reduce exam stress and make the assessment process more comprehensive. By including continuous assessment and classroom-based assessments (CBAs), students' grades are less dependent on their performance over a couple of hours during an exam, giving them a fairer chance to showcase their abilities.
How is the Junior Cert Graded?
Since the Junior Certificate is part of the Junior Cycle in Ireland, there's a new grading system. The system uses percentage marks and gives students a grade based on their performance, as shown in this table.
| Grade | Percentage Range |
|---|---|
| Distinction | 90 to 100% |
| Higher Merit | 75 to 89% |
| Merit | 55 to 74% |
| Achieved | 40 to 54% |
| Partially Achieved | 20 to 39% |
| Not Graded | 0 to 19% |
Each subject is graded using several assessment components, including the final examination (which takes place at the time and date according to the above timetable), the classroom-based assessments (CBAs) from their second and third years, and assessment tasks, practical work, and oral and aural exams in the case of languages.
Looking at the Junior Cert Timetable 2024
The Junior Cert or junior cycle examination, officially called by the State Examinations Commission, takes place between Wednesday, June 5th and Monday, June 17th.
The State Examinations Commission organises and releases the timetable, so they always double-check the times and exams against the official timetable they issued. Our timetable is taken from their timetable, but you never know.
Understanding the timetable is important so you know when your exams are, but it's also essential to know when the exams are so that you can prioritise when you study for each one.
In this guide, we'll look at the timetable itself and how you can prepare for your junior Cert and, ultimately, your leaving Cert and future exams if you choose to do them.
There's typically a morning and afternoon session for exams, and most days, at most two exams will take place. However, on Tuesday, June 11th, both Graphics and Italian exams take place on the same day at the same time. Friday, June 14th, Jewish Studies and Music is held in the morning, and Engineering and Classics are in the afternoon.
How Can Students Prepare for the Junior Cert?
Like any exam or assessment, students should prepare for the Junior Cert to get the best possible grades and results that most reflect their ability in each subject.
Generally, students should create a study plan. This allows them to allocate appropriate amounts of time to studying different subjects and set clear goals for their studies.
It also helps to use past exam papers to get into the habit of taking exams under exam conditions. While every exam differs each year, there are recurring question types in each subject that it's worthwhile getting used to.
Remember to take regular breaks while studying, too. You can quickly start hitting a wall if you try to do too much in too little time.
What Resources Are Available for the Junior Cert?
Effectively studying for the Junior Cert requires the right approaches and resources. Start by asking your school for any recommended resources, including the curriculum, textbooks, and the resources given to you by your teachers.
Beyond that, there are also popular online resources and educational apps with tutorials, quizzes, and interactive lessons.
Apps can be useful for spaced repetition and flashcards, especially when memorising processes, events, dates, or even vocabulary.
Why Are the Junior Cert Results Important?
Depending on how far your academic career goes, the Junior Cert mightn't feel like the most important exams you ever take, but it's still important.
At this point, the Junior Cert is not just a set of exams, but a testament to your educational progression. It reflects your hard work and dedication, showing just how well you're doing in school.
Your Junior Cert results will play a significant role in shaping your academic path. They'll help decide which classes you take and get put into for your Leaving Cert, setting the stage for your future educational journey.
While most won't examine Junior Cert results closely when you apply to university, very competitive courses may consider various factors, including a student's Junior Cert results.
The Junior Cert is also particularly useful for assessing students' progress after the shift to secondary education.
While most schools will monitor their students' progress in great detail, the Junior Cert can help students work out where they are while still giving them time to turn things around before the Leaving Cert.
The Leaving Cert Timetable 2024
Taking place over the same time, you can see the Leaving Cert exam timetable here. With more exams and more subjects, the Leaving Cert timetable for 2024 is busier than the Junior Cert timetable.
| Date | Time | Subject | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 5 | 9:30 - 12:20 | English, Paper 1 | Higher & Ordinary Level |
| 2:00 - 4:30 | Home Economics, Scientific and Social | Higher & Ordinary Level | |
| June 6 | 9:30 - 12:00 | Engineering | Ordinary Level |
| 9:30 - 12:30 | Engineering | Higher Level | |
| 2:00 - 5:20 | English, Paper 2 | Higher & Ordinary Level | |
| June 7 | 9:30 - 12:20 | Geography | Higher & Ordinary Level |
| 2:00 - 4:30 | Mathematics, Paper 1 | Higher & Ordinary Level | |
| 2:00 - 4:30 | Mathematics | Foundation Level | |
| June 10 | 9:30 - 12:00 | Mathematics, Paper 2 | Higher & Ordinary Level |
| 2:00 - 4:20 | Irish, Paper 1 | Higher Level (incl aural) | |
| 2:00 - 3:50 | Irish, Paper 1 | Ordinary Level (incl aural) | |
| 2:00 - 4:20 | Irish | Foundation Level (incl aural) | |
| June 11 | 9:30 - 11:50 | Irish, Paper 2 | Ordinary Level |
| 9:30 - 12:35 | Irish, Paper 2 | Higher Level | |
| 2:00 - 5:00 | Biology | Higher & Ordinary Level | |
| June 12 | 9:30 - 12:00 | French - Written | Higher & Ordinary Level |
| 12:10 - 12:50 | French - Aural | Higher & Ordinary Level | |
| 2:00 - 4:50 | History | Higher & Ordinary Level | |
| June 13 | 9:30 - 12:00 | Business | Ordinary Level |
| 9:30 - 12:30 | Business | Higher Level | |
| 2:00 - 4:30 | Art, Visual Studies | Higher & Ordinary Level | |
| June 14 | 9:30 - 12:00 | German - Written | Higher & Ordinary Level |
| 12:10 - 12:50 | German - Aural | Higher & Ordinary Level | |
| 2:00 - 4:30 | Construction Studies | Ordinary Level | |
| 2:00 - 5:00 | Construction Studies | Higher Level | |
| June 17 | 9:30 - 12:00 | Polish, Lithuanian, Portuguese, Mandarin Chinese - Written | Higher & Ordinary Level |
| 12:10 - 12:50 | Polish, Lithuanian, Portuguese, Mandarin Chinese - Aural | Higher & Ordinary Level | |
| 9:30 - 12:30 | Hebrew Studies, Ancient Greek, Non-Curricular Languages | Higher & Ordinary Level | |
| 2:00 - 4:30 | Agricultural Science | Higher & Ordinary Level | |
| June 18 | 9:30 - 12:00 | Spanish - Written | Higher & Ordinary Level |
| 12:10 - 12:50 | Spanish - Aural | Higher & Ordinary Level | |
| 2:00 - 5:00 | Chemistry | Higher & Ordinary Level | |
| June 19 | 9:30 - 12:30 | Physics | Higher & Ordinary Level |
| 9:30 - 12:30 | Physics and Chemistry | Higher & Ordinary Level | |
| 2:00 - 5:00 | Accounting | Higher & Ordinary Level | |
| June 20 | 9:30 - 12:30 | Design and Communication Graphics | Higher & Ordinary Level |
| 1:30 - 3:00 | Music - Listening (Core) | Higher & Ordinary Level | |
| 3:15 - 4:45 | Music - Composing | Higher & Ordinary Level | |
| 5:00 - 5:45 | Music - Listening (Elective) | Higher Level | |
| June 21 | 9:30 - 12:00 | Economics | Higher & Ordinary Level |
| 2:00 - 4:30 | Physical Education | Higher & Ordinary Level | |
| June 24 | 9:30 - 12:00 | Italian - Written | Higher & Ordinary Level |
| 12:10 - 12:50 | Italian - Aural | Higher & Ordinary Level | |
| 9:30 - 12:00 | Russian - Written | Higher & Ordinary Level | |
| 12:10 - 12:50 | Russian - Aural | Higher & Ordinary Level | |
| 2:00 - 4:30 | Classical Studies | Higher & Ordinary Level | |
| 2:00 - 5:00 | Latin | Higher & Ordinary Level | |
| 2:00 - 4:00 | Technology | Ordinary Level | |
| 2:00 - 4:30 | Technology | Higher Level | |
| June 25 | 9:30 - 12:00 | Japanese - Written | Higher & Ordinary Level |
| 12:10 - 12:50 | Japanese - Aural | Higher & Ordinary Level | |
| 9:30 - 12:00 | Politics & Society | Higher & Ordinary Level | |
| 9:30 - 12:30 | Arabic - Written | Higher & Ordinary Level | |
| 2:00 - 4:00 | Religious Education | Ordinary Level | |
| 2:00 - 4:30 | Religious Education | Higher Level | |
| 2:00 - 4:30 | Applied Mathematics | Higher & Ordinary Level |
How to Prepare for Your Junior Cert and Leaving Cert with a Private Tutor
Whether it's for the Junior Cert, Leaving Cert, a university degree, or learning new skills, a private tutor can help in many ways.
Private tutors can help students in ways their teachers can't. With smaller groups or individual students, tutors can tailor every session and activity to the student.
Unfortunately, even the best teachers don't have this opportunity. This isn't to say that school teachers aren't good; they're often incredibly passionate educators who are underpaid and undervalued and rarely given the resources they need to teach their students.
Private tutoring solves many problems that school teachers encounter by reducing class sizes and allowing them to teach the skills students want or need to learn rather than simply teaching to an exam or a specific curriculum.
On the Superprof website, you can search for the subject you'd like help with and browse the profiles of tutors in Ireland and around the world.
While it may help to opt for a tutor in Ireland who understands the Junior Cert, if it's for specific topics within a subject, tutors from around the world can help.
You can learn face-to-face with a tutor, online, in groups, or one-on-one. Each type of tutoring has its pros and cons, so think carefully about which will work for you and your budget.
Face-to-face and one-on-one tutoring is usually more expensive, but this is the most effective.
Online tutoring can be almost as effective for academic subjects as in-person tutoring, but it becomes less effective with hands-on subjects. It's better to get help with woodworking in person, both for practical and safety reasons.
Luckily for you, many of the tutors on the Superprof website offer their first session for free, so you can always try several tutors before deciding on the one who's right for you and what you need to learn for your Junior Cert.
Search for a tutor today.
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