Ireland’s State examinations begin this morning with a record number of students registered. Both the Leaving Certificate and the Junior Cycle written exams start across the country as candidates prepare for the scheduled written assessments. Multiple reports say the 2026 examination cohort reaches a new high, surpassing 146,000 candidates for the first time. The figures cover students sitting the State examinations rather than specific subject entries, and they reflect overall registrations for the 2026 exams. With the written exams commencing, schools and examination centres proceed with the standard exam arrangements for the two programmes. The reporting highlights that the scale of the candidate numbers is higher than in previous years, with the record level cited as a key feature of this exam season. The start of the written exams marks the opening stage of the 2026 State examination period for both student groups.