Minister for Education and Skills Ruairí Quinn has welcomed an increase in the number of Leaving Cert students planning to sit higher level maths this year as the Government seeks to boost entry into science and technology. He has also wished students well in the exams, while stressing the need to put them in context.

Although the State exams were “an important milestone in a young person’s life, they are not the only one,” Mr Quinn said. “There is a vast array of opportunities for education, training and to get new skills throughout their lives.”

A record 17,065 students, or one in three Leaving Cert candidates, have signalled their intent to sit the two higher level maths papers on Friday and Monday next.

The numbers have been creeping up since 2012, when 25 CAO bonus points were introduced for anyone who achieved at least a grade D at higher level. Typically, about 2,000 students switch down to ordinary level on the day.

Minister of State for Training and Skills Ciarán Cannon also welcomed the trend, and said “a special word of thanks” should be extended to students’ families and support networks “for keeping them calm and focused at this time”.

‘Stressful period’

School principals, deputy principals and guidance counsellors will be available to support students over the course of the Leaving Cert exams, their representative body pointed out.

Clive Byrne, director of the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals, said: "During this stressful period, parents need to be mindful of the pressures their children are under and a bit of extra TLC and understanding will go a long way."

Sally Maguire, president of the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland, said students should try to stick to a routine "with plenty of study breaks, adequate sleep time, a nutritious diet and some kind of physical activity each day". She added: "Remember to keep things in perspective. You are sitting exams, and that is all they are; they do not define your value as a person."

The exams will take place in 4,962 exam centres across the country in an operation that costs close to €62 million annually.

The State Examinations Commission produces 506 exam papers and other test instruments each year across the different levels and junior and senior cycles. It prepares a full set of back-up papers in case of a security breach.

The commission stressed that should any errors arise it would adhere to the core principle that candidates would not be disadvantaged when the paper was marked.