Recent announcements from the Minister of Education regarding changes to JC assessment bands and arrangements for assessment adjustments for 2026 exams

Please see the below information that has been issued to schools. 

This is to confirm that, as announced by the Minister for Education, Helen McEntee, the changes made to the Leaving Certificate exams in recent years will still apply to the 2026 exams. These changes include giving students more choice in the exam questions and reducing the amount of preparation work they need to do.

As announced on April 17, 2024, the changes made to how Classroom Based Assessments are done for the Junior Cycle since 2022 will still be in place for students taking the Junior Cycle in 2026.

An updated document with the adjustments to assessment arrangements will issue to schools once finalised. These updates will include year-to-year changes to prescribed materials and coursework.

Schools should also note that, as announced on 22 April 2025, changes have been made to the Junior Cycle grade bands. The top four bands are now evenly distributed in bands of 15 percentage points. These changes will apply to students sitting examinations from this summer onwards.

More information can be found on the changes to Junior Cycle grade bands via the following link https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/press-releases/minister-mcentee-announces-changes-to-junior-cycle-grade-bands/ 

The changes to grade bands will also be reflected in students’ end of year school reports for both 1st and 2nd years.