There’s a warning that the Leaving Cert appeals system could come under extra pressure this year.
This year’s exam results are due out next Friday, September 3rd - later than the usual mid-August date.
Across each subject, students had the choice of receiving a calculated grade, sitting a written exam or both.
When students who chose both options receive their results next week, they will not know if a grade was awarded from an exam or from an accredited grade (it will automatically be the higher of the two grades).
The full breakdown will only become available a few days later, on September 7th - the same day as round one CAO offers arrive.
The State Examination Commission has said students who are considering appealing their exam results will then have a “very short” window to lodge an appeal and view their marked exam scripts.
Officials say they’re working to have the full appeals process happen “as quickly as possible”.
This all comes alongside the reopening of schools, as well as the rapid approach of the new college year.
Many students who are appealing will be anxious to get their appeal result quickly, in case it means they could receive a fresh CAO offer on the back of an upgrade.
Meanwhile, any increase in CAO points could see a significant number of students looking to appeal.
In a recent letter to schools, the SEC said: "Until such time as the number of appeals is known, it is not possible to commit to a specific timeframe for the issue of the appeal results."
Teachers back at work is 'key issue'
Guidance counsellor Brian Mooney - an Irish Times columnist and editor of Education Matters Yearbook - spoke to Newstalk Breakfast about why this could mean more pressure on the appeals system.
He said: “The teachers will be back [at school] - and that’s the key issue.
“Ultimately, the review of scripts has to be done by teachers - by actual human beings. In other years the results would have been out mid-August, and the teachers would have been released by the schools. This time, they’re back at work.
“The State Exams Commission will do their damndest to actually get teachers working on [appeals] - but we don’t know yet how many students are going to appeal.
“There may be large volumes, based on the fact that [CAO] points may increase.”
He said it could be “very difficult” for the process to be completed in time for the new college year if there is a large number of appeals, especially if teachers need to work weekends or be pulled out of class to finish working through appeals.
However, he expects the SEC will “do everything they can” to get it done quickly despite the significant constraints.
