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My Reaction To The JC Results 2025
Today’s a big day ❤️
Over 70,000 students across Ireland opened their Junior Cert results. It’s the first real step on the academic ladder.
It doesn’t decide your future, but it matters. It shows where you’re at. For most students, it’s a confidence boost. For others, it’s a kick to get moving.
Key Takeaways
The biggest change this year was how the exams were graded.
For years, students said the Junior Cert was marked too harshly, especially compared to the Leaving Cert. The Department finally listened.
They widened the top bands — Distinction and Higher Merit. Around 8% of students hit Distinction, with many more earning Higher Merit.
That’s great to see. It rewards effort, builds belief, and finally brings the Junior Cert in line with the Leaving Cert.
… And Maths?
Maths really stood out this year.
More students are taking Higher Level Maths than ever before. In the last three years, there’s been a 10% increase in higher-level entries.
And it’s paying off. Distinctions doubled from 4% to about 8%. But there’s another side: 11% of students failed Maths, one of the highest rates overall.
So yes, more students are challenging themselves, which is brilliant, but the support needs to catch up. The ambition is there, the confidence is there, the help must follow.
Hardest Subjects 😅
These were the toughest papers this year:
- English – only 4% of students got a Distinction. There was a question many schools hadn’t covered. The State Exams Commission admitted the mistake and adjusted marking, but it still had an impact.
- Irish – 8% Distinctions.
- French – 8% Distinctions.
Languages were clearly the hardest area this year.
Easiest Subjects 😌
If you’re looking for the subjects where students thrived, here they are:
Music – 13% Distinctions.
Home Ec – 11% Distinctions, and almost 60% of students earned Higher Merit or better. Huge!
Engineering – 11% Distinctions.
The surprise was History, where 12% of students failed — high for a subject most people see as straightforward.
So the verdict?
Hardest: English and the languages.
Easiest: Home Ec. Students really excelled there this year.
What It Means For Next Year
For next year’s 3rd Years, this year’s results tell a clear story.
More students are stepping up to Higher Level Maths. The grading system feels fairer. Top students are finally being recognised.
I’m delighted to see it. The Junior Cert should never be about pressure. It should be about pride.
If students finish 3rd Year feeling proud of their work, they’ll walk into the Leaving Cert years believing they can do it. That’s what matters most.
