Leaving Cert results 2026: Fewer H1s as a record 70,411 students get their grades

A big day for thousands

What the Leaving Cert results show about the class of 2026

The proportion of H1s has fallen from 11.7% last year to 10.1% in 2026, while O1s at ordinary level are down a percentage point to 2.7%.

According to the SEC figures, they reflect the continued phasing out of the post-marking adjustment introduced after the pandemic: 35% of grades were adjusted upwards this year, compared with 52% in 2025 and 68% in 2024.

It is in 2028 when the SEC expects a return to pre-pandemic results.

"For the thousands of young people across the country who took their Leaving Certificate examinations this year, today is a significat day", Jacinta Stewart, chairperson of the State Examinations Comission said.

"I, along with my fellow Commissioners, wish to extend our sincere congratulations to every candidate receiving their results this morning", she added.

Meanwhile, Minister for Education and Youth, Hildegarde Naughton, congratulated students on “years of hard work, dedication and challenges overcome”.