In the Irish education system, the Junior Cert is a significant milestone and the culmination of the Junior Cycle.
A few years ago, the grading system was changed from a lettered one using grade descriptors like Distinction, Higher Merit, Merit, Achieved, Partially Achieved, and Not Graded.
Today, we'll be looking specifically at a Merit Grade, what it is, what it really means, and how many students get a Merit.
How to Understand the Junior Cert Grading System
The revised Junior Cert grading system is supposedly designed to improve clarity and fairness in evaluating students' work and performance.
Rather than using the traditional A, B, C that was used before, it has six main descriptors to evaluate performance:
- Distinction (90-100%)
- Higher Merit (75-89%)
- Merit (55-74%)
- Achieved/Pass (40-54%)
- Partially Achieved (20-39%)
- Not Graded (below 20%)
While it isn't entirely clear why a lettered system wouldn't work here, this is the system that we have.
The Merit grade covers the points range of 55% to 74%. This indicates that a student's performance was solid but not worthy of the top marks.
Achieving a Merit grade indicates that a student is likely adept enough in a given subject to continue it in later studies. It mightn't be their strongest subject, but they certainly have scope for improvement if they work harder.
What Does a Merit Grade Represent?
The Merit is roughly equivalent to a C in the older system and would be a solid pass in qualifications that use it, like the GCSE or BTEC.
In subjects like Maths or English, achieving a Merit means that you've understood the main concepts, demonstrated good analytical skills, and performed well in other assessment tasks throughout the course (which have their own grading system).
However, with two higher grades achievable, a Merit does mean that you'll have to refine your skills in the subject to advance.
In the 2023 Junior Cert results, many students achieved Merit across many subjects. With the grade boundaries sitting around the average student's result, it's one of the most common grades, with the higher and lower grades at the extremes of the scale being much rarer.
How Hard Is It to Achieve a Merit Grade?
Just because many students get a Merit Grade, it doesn't necessarily mean that it's easy to achieve.
Any student aiming for Merit has to consistently perform throughout the course and do well in classroom-based assessments and exams. These assessments contribute to the final mark in subjects like Science, which include project work.
For most students, achieving a Merit in most subjects is achievable, but it won't happen without work.
In Maths, which is often a tricky subject for certain students, some problems at Junior Cert could push students into lower grades, which isn't advisable given that it's an obligatory subject. In these instances, students need to dedicate some extra time to grasping these concepts to ensure the safety of their Merit.
Compared to the highest grades, like a Distinction, a Merit isn't a grade most students will find out of reach. A Merit is slightly above the expected level of understanding for students of this age and level.
Merit Grade Across Different Subjects
While a Merit Grade is certainly one of the more common grades because it's towards the middle of the curve, it's not given out in the same proportions for every subject.
Different subjects offer unique challenges, so the number of students receiving a Merit Grade at Junior Cert will change according to the subject.
Take English, Maths, and Science, for example. These three common subjects differ somewhat significantly in the proportion of students who achieve a Merit.
- English: A Merit in English is given to students proficient in essay writing, text analysis, and comprehension. Typically, English students who achieve a Merit have done well but may need to work more on their critical thinking or creative expression, areas where students who excel will likely gain a Disctinction. In 2023, around 50.2% of students achieved a Merit in English.
- Maths: A Merit in Maths indicates that the student understands algebra and geometry, for example, but may struggle with more advanced mathematical problems. In 2023, 44.1% of students at ordinary level achieved a Merit.
- Science: A Merit in Science shows that the student understands the basic principles of Science but might struggle with some of the more complex theoretical applications. In 2023, around 46% of Higher Level Science students received a Merit.
While these examples are for the typical student, there are also ways for students to understand more advanced topics and still receive a Merit, especially if they make silly mistakes during their exams or classroom-based assessments.
What Does a Merit Grade Mean for Future Academic Subject Choices?
While disappointing Junior Cert results aren't the end of the world, they can influence students' future educational choices when it comes to choosing which courses or qualifications they pursue.
Immediately after the Junior Cert, students will consider their Leaving Cert choices. Understandably, a disappointing Junior Cert result may discourage students from pursuing certain subjects at Leaving Cert.
However, a Merit in a subject like Maths or English usually indicates that a student is adept enough to continue at a higher level in the Leaving Cert.
A Merit in STEM subjects or the arts means that a student can certainly continue studying that subject. It doesn't mean that they'll find the subject easy, and they'll certainly notice how the Leaving Cert is a higher level.
Consider a Merit the green light for continuing a subject, keeping in mind that the subjects you continue to study will only get more complicated at subsequent levels, especially if you're looking to study these subjects at university for an undergraduate or even a postgraduate degree.
Supporting Students Aiming for Merit Grades
So, how can students achieve a Merit grade?
Any student looking for a merit grade should get into the habit of consistently studying and using any resources provided for their Junior Cert. For example, they can get feedback from teachers, classmates, tutors, or parents.
An effective strategy for achieving a Merit is to focus on the low-hanging fruit. These areas require the least effort for improvement. As a student improves in a given subject, improving becomes even more difficult, so look to areas where marks are lost.
Parents, teachers, and tutors can help students by creating study schedules that include past exam papers and feedback where these extra marks can be gained.
Tutoring, workshops, and study sessions are particularly useful, especially in the weeks leading up to the Junior Cert exams. Start with the key points to boost a student's chances of securing a Merit in any subject. Understanding the finer details is where a Merit becomes a Higher Merit or a Distinction.
The Role of Merit Grades in Building Confidence
Every student is different; some may even be disappointed in a Merit Grade. However, it should be noted that a Merit isn't the highest degree of achievement. It means that the student is on the right track for that subject.
On results day, students should be reminded that they've achieved enough to keep studying that subject and if they were aiming for a higher grade, it just means that they may need to focus more closely on this subject at Leaving Cert.
The Significance of a Merit Grade
So, how significant is a Merit Grade?
A Merit Grade is a significant level in the Junior Cert grading system. It's not as high as a Distinction, of course. Still, it shows that the student has displayed a consistent academic level.
It's the equivalent of a C at GCSE or a BTEC Level 2 qualification and is a grade above the threshold for most subjects or continued subjects.
Years ago, when the Junior Cert was mostly exams, a Merit wouldn't have indicated some of the skills it does today. The modern systems for evaluating Junior Cert students mean that a Merit carries more meaning, showing that a student performed well and got a good mark on their exams but also did well during the course and in classroom-based assessments.
A Merit grade keeps the door open for future study, allowing students to consider leaving a cert, sixth form, or college or university studies in a particular subject. It shows they can handle different academic challenges and would be ready to keep studying in most education systems around the globe.
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