Leaving Certificate 2026: Key Exam Dates for Irish Students

For Irish secondary school students planning their next academic step, the Leaving Certificate remains the most important milestone on the path to higher education. The official timetable for the 2026 Leaving Certificate written examinations has now been confirmed, giving students a clear schedule for the final assessment period that determines entry to university programmes in Ireland and abroad.

The written examinations will run from Wednesday 3 June to Tuesday 23 June 2026, following the traditional format where core subjects take place during the first week.

Start of the Exam Period

The examination season begins on Wednesday 3 June, with:

• English Paper 1 (Higher and Ordinary Level) in the morning

• Home Economics (Scientific and Social) in the afternoon

The following day, Thursday 4 June, students sit Engineering and English Paper 2, continuing the early focus on core curriculum subjects.

Core Subjects in the First Week

Many of the most widely taken subjects appear early in the timetable:

• Friday 5 June: Geography and Mathematics Paper 1

• Monday 8 June: Irish Paper 1 (including the aural component)

• Tuesday 9 June: Irish Paper 2 and Biology

• Wednesday 10 June: French and History

This structure reflects the traditional pattern of the Leaving Certificate timetable, where languages and foundational subjects are assessed at the start of the exam period.

STEM and Business Subjects

The second half of the timetable includes several key science and business-related subjects:

• Tuesday 16 June: Chemistry

• Wednesday 17 June: Physics and Physics & Chemistry

• Thursday 18 June: Accounting and Design & Communication Graphics

• Friday 19 June: Economics and Physical Education

Final Examination Days

The exam period concludes on Monday 22 June and Tuesday 23 June, with remaining language subjects and options such as Technology, Classical Studies, Politics & Society, Religious Education, and Applied Mathematics.

For students interested in studying medicine abroad, the Leaving Certificate remains the primary qualification used by universities to assess academic eligibility

Understanding the exam timeline allows students to plan revision effectively and begin preparing for the next step in their education – including applying to international medical programmes. At StudyMedicinePoland.com, we work with Irish students every year who use their Leaving Certificate results to secure places in leading European medical universities.

Polish universities do not require HPAT exam results or other structured exams like GAMSAT or SAT.

Good luck to all students preparing for the Leaving Certificate 2026 – preparation, planning and staying organised with the exam timetable are key to achieving your goals.