Leaving Cert. One Test, One Chance, Is It Fair? Episode 489

Host Niall is joined by John McGuirk from Gript Media to dive into the topic of the Leaving Certificate exams — a defining moment for generations of Irish students. With this year’s results freshly out, they reflect on how the exams shape futures, the pressure they put on students, and what those numbers really mean.

Listeners are invited to call in and share their own Leaving Cert memories — the good, the bad, and the unforgettable — adding personal voices to the national conversation.

Together, Niall and John weigh up the pros and cons of the current system:

Pros: a clear, nationwide standard; fairness in marking; rewarding discipline and preparation.

Cons: an over-reliance on rote memory; intense pressure condensed into a few weeks; limited recognition of creativity, practical skills, or long-term learning.

They also ask a bigger question: with society changing and knowledge at our fingertips, is the memory-style exam a thing of the past? And if so, what could replace it — project-based assessments, continuous evaluation, or new ways to measure intelligence and aptitude?

It’s a thought-provoking discussion on education, fairness, and the future of testing in Ireland.