It has been almost a decade since the Department of Education announced its intention to do away with the old Junior Cert and replace it with an updated model that focuses more on personal development and continuous assessment. The new Junior Cycle programme is now in full swing, and with that, a new Junior Cycle Grading system.
Many parents reading this blog are familiar with the old grading system, but now with the addition of new rubrics, marking schemes, and these CBA yokeymebobs, it can get very confusing! Luckily, we know it inside out, so in this article, we will explain all about the new Junior Cycle Grading System and debunk some common misconceptions about the new Junior Cert.
And after you’ve read all about the Junior Cycle Grading System, we’ve just published a simplified version of this year’s Junior Cert Timetable for you on our blog. Check it out!
What is the new Junior Certificate itself called?
We’re all still adjusting to saying ‘Junior Cycle’ as the new way to describe the course that was previously called the Junior Cert, but what about the piece of paper that is collected in the middle of September that displays the results? What’s the new term for the record of achievement itself?
The old Junior Certificate has been replaced by what is called the Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement (JCPA), which actually displays a lot more than just the result of the final exams. Have a look at this sample JCPA below:
Source: CareersPortal.ie
This sample JCPA was developed before the full course was implemented in every subject, hence the mishmash of different grading systems (we will explain more about the changes here in a moment), but the extent of the changes made to the old course is still clear. Students are now graded in four different areas:
- Final Examinations
- Subject Classroom-Based Assessments
- Short Course Classroom-Based Assessments
- Wellbeing
Each of these areas is marked differently, and there is a different grading system for the traditional exams compared to the CBAs and Wellbeing, which we’re going to take a look at now.
Junior Cycle Grading System for Final Examinations
Let’s take a look at this side-by-side comparison of the old Junior Cert Grading System and the new Junior Cycle Grading System:
As you can see, the grading bands have been altered slightly. According to the new Junior Cycle grading system, it is now more difficult to achieve the highest grade descriptors of Distinction and Higher Merit in any given subject, but easier to ‘pass’ (any grade above the thicker black line is considered a passing grade).
That said, in many subjects, students will walk into the exam hall with up to 10% of their final grade already under their belt. This is largely due to the Assessment Tasks, which we will discuss in detail further down. They’re a dead easy way to earn 10% of your grade, so it’s definitely worth putting your best foot forward.
Remember, 10% can mean the difference between a Higher Merit and Distinction, or a Not Graded and Partially Achieved! Join our maths grinds to make sure you are maximising your potential in Junior Cycle Maths!
Frequently Asked Questions about the Junior Cycle Grading System
What does ‘Not Graded’ mean?
If you receive ‘Not Graded’ in one of your subjects on your JCPA, unfortunately, it means you have not received enough marks (i.e. 20%) to pass the subject.
What happens if I receive a ‘Not Graded’?
Norma Foley will personally ban you from ever sitting a State Exam ever again.
Just messing! There’s no real major consequence to failing a subject at Junior Cycle Level, beyond maybe not being allowed to sit that subject for the Leaving if it’s a choice subject. Even if you fail Junior Cycle Maths, Irish, or English, you won’t fail the Junior Cycle, but it probably isn’t advisable to attempt Higher Level in that subject at Senior Cycle!
What happens if I get, say 74.5% in a subject?
Unfortunately, at both Leaving Cert and Junior Cycle level, examiners do not round up. That means that if you get 74.5%, you will not be getting a Higher Merit unless you appeal your result and it turns out that you should have been awarded the extra 0.5% necessary to cross the threshold. Them’s the breaks unfortunately!
Is C.S.P.E. graded using this system?
Nice try, but gone are the days of securing an easy A. The old C.S.P.E course has been dramatically changed and is now no longer an exam subject. Instead, it forms part of the Wellbeing part of the Junior Cycle, so the grading system is completely different. Sorry folks!
Classroom-Based Assessment Grading System
The Junior Cycle Grading System for the CBAs is a lot less numerical than that for the exams, but it’s still important that you’re familiar with the breakdown so you can smash them! There are four different grade descriptors:
- Exceptional
- Above Expectations
- In Line with Expectations
- Yet to Meet Expectations
Pretty self explanatory, right? A CBA that is deemed to be of especially high quality will be awarded the ‘Exceptional’ grade descriptor, and one that demonstrates very little input of effort will be given ‘Yet to Meet Expectations.’ Simples!
PS: If you’re still a wee bit confused as to what a CBA actually is, then look no further than our breakdown of the Junior Cycle Maths syllabus! We explain everything you need to know there!
Frequently Asked Questions about the CBA Grading System
How is my grade decided if there are no numerical grades?
There is a marking scheme for every single CBA in every single subject (called the Features of Quality framework) which your teacher will use when examining your CBA. Each CBA has a number of different aspects that need to be covered, and depending on how well you cover each of them, you will be awarded any one of the grade descriptors, and at the end, a grade reflecting the CBA as a whole.
Here is the Junior Cycle Grading system or Features of Quality Framework for the Maths CBA 1 and CBA 2 so you can see what it takes to get the ‘Exceptional’ grade!
Wait, my teacher grades my CBAs?
Yes, your CBAs are marked by the relevant subject teacher, and no, that doesn’t mean having a bad relationship with Ms. Murphy will result in you getting a bad grade on your CBAs! The grade descriptors are initially awarded on a provisional basis – they have to be discussed between all of the teachers within the subject department in what is known as a Subject Learning and Assessment Review (SLAR) before they are confirmed and sent off to the SEC. So unless you’ve managed to grate on every single teacher in the school, you will be absolutely grand!
So will I find out my grade before Results Day?
While the first CBA usually takes place towards the end of second year, and the second takes place before Christmas of third year, the results aren’t settled on until the SLAR meetings take place, and then they’re sent off to the SEC, so you won’t know how you got on until the JCPA is in your hand (unless you can slip a brown envelope to your teachers!)
Do my CBA grades count towards my Final Exam grades?
Nope, the grade you receive for each of your CBAs has absolutely no bearing on your individual subject grades, it’s completely separate!
Is grading system the same for Wellbeing and Short Course CBAs as it is for the Subject CBAs?
Pretty much! Obviously, the content and structure are going to be a little different for shorter courses and subjects like Physical Education (which forms part of the Wellbeing area of learning), but the general process and grade descriptors are the same as the Junior Cycle grading system for the CBAs!
Final Words of Advice
So now that you’re familiar with the Junior Cycle Grading system for both the Final Exams, the CBAs, and Wellbeing, the next step is learning how to get the top grades!
A great place to start is our very own maths grinds. Our tutors earned 600+ points in their Leaving Cert and went on to study subjects in the STEM field thereafter, meaning they know their stuff!
Plus, our online lessons in small groups lead to an average grade increase of 16% among our students. Impressive stuff!
Stay tuned for more information on the Junior Cycle and Leaving Cert in the coming weeks!
Eve 🙂
PS – If you need help with Maths, we’ve got 4 weeks of Maths Grinds Left.
Book a Free Trial Grind.It will be the perfect tonic before the Junior Cert!
