On the 22nd of April, Minister for Education, Helen McEntee, announced changes to the Junior Cycle grading system. The new grading system will come into effect in time for June 2025, where an estimated 73,000 students will be sitting their Junior Cycle exams.
The new system widens the percentage points in the top four grade bands. These top four grade bands will now be evenly distributed in bands of fifteen percentage points, making it easier for students to achieve a Distinction or Higher Merit.
The new changes will impact the top three grade bands, with all other bands remaining the same as before.
Key Changes:
- The top four grade descriptors—Distinction, Higher Merit, Merit, and Achieved—will now be evenly distributed in bands of fifteen percentage points.
- A ‘Distinction’ will now be awarded for marks of 85% and upwards. It was previously only awarded for marks of 90% and upwards.
- A ‘Higher Merit’ will now be awarded for marks from 70% up to 85%. It was previously awarded for marks between 75% to 90%.
- A ‘Merit’ will now be awarded for marks from 55% up to 70%. It was previously awarded for marks between 55% and 75%.
- An ‘Achieved’ will be awarded for marks from 40% to 55%, as before.
- A ‘Partially Achieved’ will be awarded for marks from 20% to 40%, as before.
- A ‘Not Graded’ will be awarded from marks below 20%, as before.
What has the reception been like?
The new grading system has been welcomed by teachers and the student population, many of which had been critical of the old scoring system which was deemed as too harsh.
The previous ‘Distinction’ grade band spread across ten percentage points, from 90% to 100%. This was viewed by many as too narrow, making it very difficult for students to achieve top grades.
Another complaint from teachers and students was that the ‘Merit’ grade band of twenty percentage points, stretching from 55% to 75%, was too broad. The new scoring system means that a pupil who achieves 70% will attain a Higher Merit. This is viewed as more appropriate, and more reflective, of their hard work and effort.
As well as making it easier for students to attain ‘Distinction’ or ‘Higher Merit’ grades, the new system, with an even spread of percentage points, is also thought to bring more clarity to students and parents alike.
A ‘Change the Band’ campaign, launched by a group of disappointed transition year students from Coláiste Bhríde in Carnew, Co Wicklow, was one of a number of efforts that lead to the alteration of the existing grading system.
Minister For Education, Helen McEntee
At the launch of the new grading system, Minister McEntee had the following to say:
“It can be expected that higher numbers of students will achieve Distinction and Higher Merit grades with this change.
“While today I am announcing changes to the grade bands for students in 2025 and future years, they remain sufficiently broad to ensure that students can focus on learning and engaging in school, and on becoming independent, resourceful and confident learners, rather than focusing solely on examinations. It is vital that students, their learning and engagement remain at the heart of the Junior Cycle.”
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