Junior Cert Exam Timetable 2025: Key Dates, Grades & Study Tips

Exam period: Wed 4 June 2025 – Mon 16 June 2025 · Afternoon session: 14:00 – 17:00 · Compulsory subjects: English, Irish, Mathematics · Exam support line: 090 6442700

Key facts about the 2025 Junior Cycle exams

Before we get into the day-by-day breakdown, here are the essential details you’ll need to keep on hand. The information below is confirmed by the State Examinations Commission (SEC) and the Department of Education.

The dates above are locked in by the official Citizens Information (state exam guide) and the gov.ie / Department of Education (2025 timetable). If you’re planning study leave or family commitments, these are the dates that matter—mark 4 June as the first hurdle and 16 June as the finish line.

Official 2025 written exam timetable

The Junior Cycle is a milestone for every student, and the written exams are the most intense stretch of the state examination period. While the SEC releases a detailed subject-by-subject timetable, the Department of Education confirms the overall written exam period runs from Wednesday 4 June to Monday 16 June 2025, with both morning and afternoon sessions each day.

According to the Department of Education (official state examinations 2025 publication), the written exams are part of the wider June examination schedule. The Citizens Information (official exam guide) outlines that English is scheduled for Wednesday, 4 June 2025, which is the first written paper for the Junior Cycle.

The written exams are part of the wider June examination schedule, as confirmed by the Department of Education.

Here’s the confirmed timeline you’re likely looking for:

• Start date: Wednesday, 4 June 2025 (English paper)
• End date: Monday, 16 June 2025 (final written exams)
• Daily sessions: Morning 09:30–12:30; Afternoon 14:00–17:00

The Coláiste Pobail Setanta (post-primary school guidance) notes that the exam timetable is designed to be inclusive of all students, but mock exams (which are not state-certified) do not count toward the final result.

The key takeaway here is that the official timetable spans just under two full weeks, with most students sitting around 10 to 12 papers. That means careful daily pacing is essential.

What subjects are compulsory and how certification works

Understanding what you must sit versus what you can choose is half the battle when planning a study schedule. The state sets a core group of subjects, and the rest is a mix of options that vary by school.

• Compulsory: English, Irish, Mathematics
• Other subjects: Chosen from a list set by the Department of Education
• Certification: Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement (JCPA) – issued by the SEC
• Mocks: Not part of state certification; school-level only

The Department of Education (official state examinations 2025 policy) confirms that English, Irish, and Mathematics are mandatory for all students. The full list of optional subjects is set by the Department, and your school will advise which are offered locally. According to Coláiste Pobail Setanta (school exam guidance), mock results are a useful practice tool but do not count toward the official state certification—that’s a relief for many students who didn’t nail their mocks, but it also means the real thing carries all the weight.

Mock results are a useful practice tool but do not count toward the official state certification. — Coláiste Pobail Setanta school guidance

The upshot: Your final result is built entirely on the state-certified exams, so don’t let mock grades define your confidence. Focus on the official June schedule, and you’re working with the facts that actually matter.

How to get help and official support during exam season

Even with a clear timetable, things can go wrong—a missed paper, a question about accommodations, or a last-minute change. The state has a dedicated support line specifically for examination queries during the written period.

The Department of Education (official examinations support desk) provides a phone number for examination enquiries: 090 6442700. Staff are on hand from 8.30 a.m. on examination days during the written examination period, and weekend support hours during the written examinations period are 9.30 a.m. to 1.00 p.m..

• Phone line: 090 6442700 (Department of Education)
• Weekday hours: From 8.30 a.m. on exam days
• Weekend hours: 9.30 a.m. – 1.00 p.m. (during written exams)
• Official source: gov.ie / Department of Education (contact directory)

Why this matters: In a stressful exam period, knowing the exact support line and hours removes a layer of anxiety. If something unexpected happens, you have a direct route to the people who can actually help—not a generic helpline that forwards you around.

What date are the Junior Cert mocks in 2026?

Mock exams for the Junior Cycle are typically held in February 2026. These dates are set by individual schools or exam centres, not by the State Examinations Commission. Mock results do not count toward state certification, as confirmed by Coláiste Pobail Setanta school guidance.

• Usual mock window: February 2026
• Set per school – check your school’s calendar
• Not part of the official Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement

Is 40 a pass in the Junior Cert?

The Junior Cycle uses a grading scale of Distinction, Higher Merit, Merit, Achieved, and Partially Achieved. A mark of 40 roughly corresponds to an Achieved grade, according to guidance from the State Examinations Commission. Exact thresholds are confirmed each year by the SEC.

• Scale: Distinction, Higher Merit, Merit, Achieved, Partially Achieved
• 40 = Achieved (approximately)
• Official source: Citizens Information (Junior Cycle grading)

Where can I download the Junior Certificate timetable for 2026 in PDF format?

The official 2026 Junior Cycle timetable PDF will be published on the State Examinations Commission website (examinations.ie) from late 2025. The file is typically named JC-TT-2026.pdf. You can also find it on schooldays.ie and other Irish education sites. For 2025, the timetable is already available via the Citizens Information guide.

• Direct PDF at examinations.ie (from late 2025)
• Also on schooldays.ie and stn.ie
• File name: JC-TT-2026.pdf

How many hours a day should I study for the Junior Cert?

The National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) and the Department of Education recommend 1–2 hours per evening for Junior Cycle students during term time. During the revision period before exams, this can increase to 2–3 hours per day. Balance study with rest and extracurricular activities – quality matters more than raw hours.

The NEPS advises that Junior Cycle students benefit from 1–2 hours of focused study per evening, with breaks and physical activity.

• Term time: 1–2 hours per evening
• Revision period: 2–3 hours per day
• Guidance from: Department of Education (study and wellbeing advice)

What are the exam fees for the Junior Cert exam in 2026?

The State Examinations Commission sets annual fees. In 2025, the standard fee was €109 per candidate. Fee waivers are available for eligible students. The 2026 fee is expected to be similar, but the SEC will confirm it closer to the exam period. For details, contact the SEC or check Citizens Information.

• 2025 fee: €109 (standard)
• Waivers: Available for eligible students
• 2026 fee: To be confirmed by SEC

Frequently asked questions

With the official timetable in hand, students and parents can now plan their study leave and support systems around confirmed dates from the SEC and Department of Education. Check the Junior Cert 2026 Dates: Timetable, Fees & Results Guide for next year’s planning. For those considering further education, the QQI Level 5 Healthcare: How to Get Qualified in Ireland guide outlines a pathway beyond the Junior Cycle.