A total of 152 Leaving Certificate exam results have this year been withheld from students suspected of plagiarism, copying or receiving "improper assistance" from a third party, the State Examinations Commission (SEC) has revealed.
Marks in 52 individual subjects - up from 41 last year - have already been fully investigated, leading to a decision not to issue results. All of the candidates in question have already been informed of the decision, which they can appeal.
But a further 100 results are being withheld on a "without prejudice" basis, pending further communication with the schools and candidates concerned. This will take place over the coming days, and compares with 288 results withheld at this stage last year.
However, a spokeswoman for the SEC said this year no student has been given the "ultimate sanction" of having all their results withheld for copying in more than one subject. Such students can also be banned from repeating the examination, although the last time this happened was in the 1980s.
Withholding of results in subjects occurs where a candidate attempts to gain an advantage in their exam in a way which contravenes the existing regulations. It applies equally to practical, project and written work presented in an exam.
"While every effort is made to conclude an investigation prior to the issue of the examination results, it is not always possible to do so," the SEC said. "In these circumstances, results are withheld on a without prejudice basis pending further communication with the schools and candidates concerned."
The subjects in which students have had their results withheld this year are: Irish, English, maths, geography, accounting, construction studies, home economics, LCVP links modules and the Leaving Certificate Applied.Results in other subjects currently being investigated include agricultural science, business and physics.
According to the SEC, cases of suspected cheating can come to light in a number of ways. These include an examiner detecting similar work from more than one candidate when correcting work from a particular centre.
When marking a script, examiners may also discover memorandum, notes or paper brought in by a candidate in an attempt to gain an advantage.
Superintendents may detect a candidate using a book or other written work, or attempting to contact another candidate. Where this arises, the superintendent submits a report of the incident to the commission.
"Any incidence of suspected copying, improper assistance from another party, plagiarism or procurement of pieces prepared by another party are thoroughly investigated," the SEC added.