From tomorrow morning, Leaving Certificate students will be asked to make their choice between written exams or receive accredited grades, or both, in their chosen subjects in 2021.
Their decisions will be registered on an online portal called the Candidate Self-Service Portal.
Guidance Counsellor Rory White from Careers Advice Northwest has this Q&A to share all you need to know before logging on:
Q: When does the Candidate Self-Service portal open and how long will I have to register?
A: The Candidate Self-Service Portal will open at 12.00pm on Wednesday 10th March and remain open for six days until 6.00pm on Tuesday 16th March.
Q: Where can I access the portal?
A: Students can access the portal on the State Examinations website- www.examinations.ie.
Q: What do I need to register on the portal?
A: You will need your PPS number and your Examination number.
Q: What will I be asked to do on the portal?
A: You will be asked to confirm your options. Either-
- Written Exams
- Accredited Grades Process
- Both
You will be also be asked to confirm your subjects and to confirm your levels.
Q: What if the subject list displayed on the portal for me isn’t correct?
A: It is very important to check this as some students may be studying an extra subject outside of school or may have changed subjects while in school. So make sure to check that all subjects you intend taking for Leaving Certificate are included in the portal, and change it if necessary.
Q: If I say I am sitting an exam now, can I change my mind later on and opt for calculated grades?
A: Yes. When the portal reopens in late April/early May, you can change your mind then and decide whether you intend to sit an exam or not and decide the level you intend taking. Your choice on levels at this stage will be final.
Q: If I don’t opt in to sit an exam before March 16th, can I add it later on?
A: No, you can’t. Therefore, the best thing to do is to opt in to sit all exams now and decide closer to the time if you do not want to sit.
Q: If I register to sit an exam, can I decide to just not sit it on the day?
A: Yes. In this circumstance you will then receive your accredited grade.
Q: If I sit an exam and get a weaker grade than the accredited grade can I choose the higher result?
A: Yes. When you receive your results in August you will have been automatically given whatever the higher grade was between your exam and the accredited grade.
Q: If I sit an exam and fail it, will this go towards my accredited grade?
A: No, as the exam will have taken place after your accredited grade was decided upon. If you fail an exam and your accredited grade was higher, you will receive the accredited grade.
Q: When will I receive my results?
A: It is intended that the Leaving Certificate results for the Class of 2021 will be issued in a timely manner to ensure progression onto Further and Higher Education, so likely from mid-August/early September.
Rory has been a Guidance Counsellor at Finn Valley College for the past 10 years and is a member of the Donegal Branch of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors.
Rory offers a comprehensive career guidance service based in Ballybofey through Careers Advice Northwest, for appointments contact: www.facebook.com/careersadvicenorthwest
He also offers advice for students on careersportal.ie
Applying for college or changing careers is one of the most important and exciting decisions someone can make, and Rory will be here to offer advice and top tips on the many options that are available.
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