When Does Leaving Cert 2025 Start? Key Dates, Points & Timetable

Every year, hundreds of thousands of students across Ireland wait for one date: the start of the Leaving Certificate written exams. For those sitting the 2025 exams, that date is now official — earlier than some might expect. Here’s a practical guide covering when the exams begin, how the timetable is structured, and what else candidates should know.

2025 written exams start: Wednesday, 4 June 2025 ·
2025 written exams end: Friday, 20 June 2025 ·
2026 written exams start: Wednesday, 3 June 2026 ·
2026 written exams end: Tuesday, 23 June 2026

When Does Leaving Cert 2025 Start?

What is the official start date for Leaving Cert 2025?

• The Leaving Certificate 2025 written examinations began on Wednesday, 4 June 2025, as set by the State Examinations Commission (SEC) under the Department of Education.
• The final written exam took place on Friday, 20 June 2025 (Gov.ie 2025 timetable).
• Leaving Cert Applied exams also started on 4 June and concluded on 13 June 2025 (Gov.ie – LCA timetable).

The first paper, English Paper 1, was scheduled at 9:30 am on 4 June (SimpleStudy Ireland – 2025 LC timetable). Mathematics Paper 1 followed on 6 June at 2:00 pm, and Paper 2 on 9 June at 9:30 am (SimpleStudy Ireland – subject schedule).

The pattern: Candidates can expect the same early-June window each year, with the timetable published roughly six months in advance. The SEC maintains this scheduling to provide predictability for students and schools.

When will the Leaving Cert 2025 timetable be released?

The official timetable for 2025 was released by the SEC in November 2024, consistent with their practice of publishing examination schedules approximately six months before the exam period begins. This allows students and schools ample time to plan their study schedules.

Is the Leaving Cert Timetable the Same Every Year?

How is the timetable structured?

• The overall structure is consistent: written exams usually run from the first Wednesday of June to around the third Friday, with morning sessions at 9:30 am and afternoon sessions at 2:00 pm (SimpleStudy Ireland – sitting times).
• Subjects follow a similar order year on year – English first, Mathematics early in week one, Irish in week two – though exact dates shift annually.
• Oral and practical exams (e.g., Irish oral, music performance) have separate schedules released earlier.

The pattern is reliable. For 2025, Engineering was on Thursday 5 June, Biology on Tuesday 10 June, Chemistry on Tuesday 17 June, and Economics on the final day Friday 20 June (SimpleStudy Ireland – subject dates).

The implication: There are no surprises in the timetable’s rhythm, which helps teachers plan revision schedules and students avoid clashes. The SEC’s consistent approach reduces stress and allows for better preparation.

What are the key differences year to year?

While the subject sequence remains largely stable, the exact dates shift each year based on when the first Wednesday of June falls. For example, in 2025, written exams ended on 20 June, while in 2026 they are scheduled to finish on 23 June. The 2026 timetable was published on 13 November 2025 (Citizens Information – official source).

Is 520 Points in Leaving Cert Good?

What is a good Leaving Cert point score?

• The maximum Leaving Cert points available is 625 (Gov.ie – points structure). A score of 520 corresponds to roughly 83% of the maximum.
• While the SEC does not publish an official “average,” historical data from the CAO suggests that the typical candidate scores between 300 and 400 points. A score of 520 places a student well above that range.
• Many arts, business, and science programmes require 350–450 points; competitive courses such as law or engineering often demand 450–550. Medicine typically requires 720+ points using the HPAT weighting (Citizens Information – CAO points guide).

The catch: Points alone don’t guarantee a place – course demand and available places heavily influence cut-offs. Still, 520 is strong enough for the majority of Level 8 courses.

How does 520 compare to average?

With the average Leaving Cert score in the 300-400 range, 520 points is well above average. It typically places a student in the top 20-25% of candidates nationally, depending on the year’s cohort. This score would be competitive for most honours degree programmes, though highly selective courses like law, medicine, or certain engineering programmes may require higher scores.

Will Leaving Cert Points Go Down in 2025?

What factors affect point changes?

• Points are determined by supply and demand: how many students apply and how many places are available. The SEC does not set target points.
• In the post-pandemic years, points initially rose as grade inflation inflated scores, but they have since started to stabilise. No official prediction exists for 2025 changes.

What experts tend to point out: The CAO’s Central Applications Office publishes annual cut-off data, but forecasting is inherently uncertain. For 2025, the most likely scenario is a slight decline in the highest-demand courses as cohort sizes adjust, but nothing dramatic.

How have points trended recently?

Following the pandemic-era grade inflation, points for many courses soared to record highs in 2021 and 2022. Since then, they have been gradually declining as grading standards normalise. The 2025 cohort is expected to see continued stabilisation, with most courses maintaining current thresholds rather than experiencing dramatic shifts.

What Is the Hardest LC Subject?

Which subjects have the lowest high grades?

• There is no official hierarchy, but subject-level data from the SEC shows which subjects have the lowest proportion of H1 grades. In recent years, Mathematics (especially Higher Level), Physics, and Chemistry consistently have lower H1 rates than subjects like Music or Art.
• Student surveys frequently rank Mathematics, Physics, and Accounting as the most demanding in terms of workload and conceptual difficulty.
• The choice should also consider university requirements: many engineering programmes require a minimum grade in Mathematics.

The trade-off: A “hard” subject may open more doors later. A student who enjoys Chemistry and plans a science career should take it, even if the pass rate is lower.

What do students say?

Past participants often highlight the sheer volume of content for subjects like Accounting and the abstract reasoning required for Higher Level Mathematics. Biology, while content-heavy, is generally considered more accessible. Student opinion varies, but the consensus is that consistent study habits matter more than raw intelligence for success in any subject.

Timeline: Leaving Cert 2025 & Beyond

Clarity Check: Confirmed vs Unclear

Quotes from Official Sources

“The Leaving Certificate 2026 written exams start on Wednesday, 3 June 2026 and finish on Tuesday, 23 June 2026.”

Citizens Information (official Irish public services information)

“The Leaving Certificate 2025 written examinations began on Wednesday, 4 June 2025 and finished on Friday, 20 June 2025. Junior Cycle written examinations also began on Wednesday, 4 June 2025 and finished on Thursday, 12 June 2025.”

Gov.ie / Department of Education – State Examinations 2025

Understanding how your results translate into college offers is essential, so check out our Leaving Cert points system guide for a full breakdown of grades and upcoming changes for 2026.

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