Calls to continue the hybrid method for this year’s Leaving Certificate students have been quashed, according to reports.
It looks as if the 2022 exam season will revert to written examinations only under plans heading to Cabinet for consideration this morning.
It is understood that measures will be taken to ensure students are not disadvantaged by the recent grade inflation seen during the Covid-19 pandemic.
They will be given more choice on their papers and the marking scheme will be designed to ensure that this year’s grades are in line with last year’s.
The news will come as a disappointment for many after concerns were raised by parents, pupils and teachers over recent weeks around the difficulties students will face with their CAO.
Many will be up against people applying to the same courses with their results from 2020 and 2021, leaving some worried they will miss out if this year’s strategy changes.
Some are also arguing that the restrictions brought in to cope with the Omicron variant caused major disruption for this year's students.
However, exam officials stressed that they cannot offer the 2020/2021 hybrid grade system to this year’s Leaving Cert students because some of them did not sit the Junior Cert, and therefore do not have official results which can be used to give them assessed marking.
The details of how the exams will proceed this year will be published after the Cabinet meets this morning.
An impending announcement from Minister Norma Foley will also likely outline how she plans to address issues around grade inflation resulting from the recent accredited grading system.