Dear 6th year student,
The State Examinations Commission have issued a new circular updating arrangements for the 2021 exams. The sections of this circular which contain new information of particular relevance to you are 1 and 4 which refer to coursework deadlines and the candidate self-portal designed for you to indicate your subjects, levels and choices.
I have summarised these sections for you here:
Section 1 - Coursework Deadlines
LCVP Portfolio of Coursework - March 12
Economics - March 15
Design and Communication Graphics - March 19
History - April 23
Geography - April 23
Agricultural Science - April 23
Engineering (project) - May 7
Art - May 20
Construction Studies (project) - May 28
Please note that these are deadlines issued by the SEC. However, I would strongly advocate that you make every effort to complete these coursework pieces in advance of these deadlines to allow you enough time for revision for the written exams. In this regard you should adhere to your teacher's advice and associated deadlines.
Section 4 - Self Service Portal
This portal is designed for you to check your subject entries, levels and indicate your intentions regarding whether you want to take accredited grades, sit exams or both.
The portal will open at 12 noon on March 10th and close at 6pm on March 16th.
A further opportunity to review your levels will be available at the end of April/start of May.
It is important to note that you will not be able to change your mind about sitting exams after March 16th.
However, at the April/May review you will be able to withdraw your decision to sit exams if you so wish.
The final levels you indicate in April/May will be those that you will receive accredited grades in.
However, if you intend to sit the June exams you will have the usual opportunity to change levels on the day of the exam.
Before accessing the portal for the first time, you will need to set-up an account. For this you will need your exam number. These numbers are now available to be collected in person from the school office from today.
You will also need a Pin number to access the portal which for most students will be the first four digits of your PPSN Number.
Once you set-up an account, your first task should be to check that all the subjects you wish to be registered for, are on the portal. This is particularly important for students doing subjects outside of the school.
Further information for students taking subjects entirely outside of school will issue shortly. However, students in this category should note that the SEC have stated that you 'will be required to provide substantial evidence of your learning to be eligible for consideration for accredited grades'.
Having checked your subjects; you should then check the levels in each subject taking note of points 6 and 7 above.
You should then proceed to indicate your choice regarding accredited grades and exams.
My absolute advice to you is that everybody should sign up for accredited grades even if you are going to sit the exams. I say this as the running of the exams is subject to public health advice which means there is a likelihood, albeit slim that an outbreak in June could cause a cancellation of one or more exams. Also, God forbid you may be ill yourself for whatever reason for one or more exams. In either of these scenarios, you will need to fall back on your accredited grade.
I would also strongly advise that everybody sits the exams as you can then get the best grade from the two systems. But this is ultimately a decision for each of you.
Further information and guidance regarding coursework and procedures will be issued shortly.
Best regards,
Mr. Anton O Mahony,
Principal.