Record number of H1s from Leaving Certificate 2021 results

The number of H1’s achieved in some popular subjects has risen by as much as 7%, according to a report by the RTÉ.

The results released to the approximately 61,000 Leaving Certificate students sees an average rise in grades of 2.4pc when compared to last year’s figures. The significance of this is highlighted when considering the results of 2020’s Leaving Certificate saw an average increase of 4.4pc to the year before – a record in its own right.

Higher level subjects saw the sharpest inflation of these figures, with almost a quarter of Higher-level Chemistry students achieving a H1, doubling the average between 2017-2019, the Independent has reported.

Around 15.1pc of Higher-level maths students received a H1 in maths, compared to last year’s figures of 8.5pc and a three-year average of 6pc. H1s in Biology have also spiked – seeing a jump from 8.3pc to 17.4pc over the period of 2017-2019.

A further percentage increase in grades will see CAO point requirements for popular college courses rise. The first round of course offers is to be released next week.

The combination of accredited grades and at least one exam was the most common means of assessment. Out of 61,000 studen ts, around 52,000 were assessed in this way.

The impact of accredited grades

Accredited grades allow for the judgment of teachers and schools incorporated into how a student’s results would be calculated. Half of these cases saw the accredited grade be higher than what the student performed in the exam they took. 31pc saw approximately the same marks, with 16pc achieving lower grades than what their exam results yielded.

The State Examinations Commission (SEC) notes that the estimated marks submitted by schools were higher than the previous year. They also note that their standardisation of the system played a role in curbing any potential misestimation made by schools.

The SEC’s final accredited grades took factors such as socio-economic background into consideration. This saw a reduction in the gap between DEIS/disadvantaged and other schools’ grades, for example.

The first round of CAO offers will be sent this Tuesday, with students then able to accept or reject offers, as well as appeal for a reassessment of grades.