Junior Cert 2025 Dates: Timetable, Fees & Results

The Junior Cert timetable for 2025 and 2026 runs in early June both years, but the costs differ sharply: free in 2025, €109 in 2026. Here’s a clear breakdown of start dates, fees, and what’s changed under the new Junior Cycle, with official details from Citizens Information and gov.ie.

2025 Start Date: 4 June 2025 ·
2026 Start Date: 3 June 2026 ·
2026 End Date: 15 June 2026 ·
Exam Fee (2026): €109

Eight key dates at a glance: the difference between the 2025 and 2026 cycles is minimal on the calendar but significant for planning.

The pattern: both years anchor the exam period in the first half of June, but 2025 finishes one day later than 2026. The biggest change is the introduction of the €109 fee for 2026.

What date is JC 2025?

What is the Junior Cert 2025 exam timetable?

The Junior Cycle 2025 written examinations begin on Wednesday, 4 June 2025 and run through to Monday, 16 June 2025, as confirmed by Citizens Information (official government guidance). The full timetable, including subject-by-subject slots, is published by the State Examinations Commission on examinations.ie (State Examinations Commission website). Music practical performance exams were held earlier, from 18 to 28 March 2025.

• English (day 1, morning session, per typical schedule)
• Mathematics, Geography, and other core subjects spaced across the two weeks

The implication: with only 9 working days of exams, students need to be ready for a compact timetable — no long gaps between papers.

When do Junior Cert 2025 results come out?

Junior Cycle 2025 results were released on Wednesday, 8 October 2025, according to RTÉ News (national broadcaster). Students received their results in person at their schools on that day. The appeals window typically opens shortly after, with a deadline around late October or early November.

The pattern: 2025 exams are already history, but the dates serve as a baseline for 2026 planning.

What date does junior cert 2026 start?

What date does Junior Cert 2026 finish?

The State Examinations Commission has confirmed that the 2026 Junior Cycle written exams will start on Wednesday, 3 June 2026 and finish on Monday, 15 June 2026, as per the official publication on gov.ie (Department of Education). The 2026 timetable is available on examinations.ie. English is scheduled for the morning of 3 June, Geography on 4 June afternoon, and Mathematics on 5 June afternoon, according to a third-party summary from SimpleStudy Ireland (student study platform).

• Start: 3 June 2026
• End: 15 June 2026
• Total exam days: 9 (excluding weekends)

The pattern: the 2026 schedule is nearly identical to 2025, shifting by only one day earlier. This consistency helps schools plan mock exams and revision weeks.

The implication: the 2026 schedule is nearly identical to 2025, making it easy for schools to plan mocks.

How much is the junior cert 2026?

Do you have to pay for junior cert 2026?

Yes. The examination fee for the 2026 Junior Cycle is €109 per entry for school-based candidates, as set by the Department of Education (gov.ie). This is a change from 2025, when the exams were free. However, fee waivers are available: students with a full medical card, or who are covered on a parent or guardian’s full medical card, are exempt from the fee. The Department of Education has not yet published the exact payment deadline for 2026, but typically fees are due several weeks before the exams.

• Standard fee: €109 per entry
• Exemption: full medical card holders
• Payment method: through the school or online system

The catch: the €109 fee adds to the cost of school year, though the waiver ensures no student is excluded for financial reasons.

The catch: the fee waiver ensures no student is left out, but families should apply early.

What is the last day of the junior cert?

What day is the junior cert? What date does JC start?

The Junior Cert exam period always falls in June. For 2025, the last day of written exams was Monday, 16 June 2025. For 2026, the last day is Monday, 15 June 2026, as per gov.ie (Department of Education). The start date for 2026 is Wednesday, 3 June 2026. The exact start date for 2025 was Wednesday, 4 June 2025. The full timetable for each year is posted on examinations.ie.

• 2025 start: 4 June 2025
• 2025 end: 16 June 2025
• 2026 start: 3 June 2026
• 2026 end: 15 June 2026

The trade-off: a one-day shift means the 2026 exam period is a shade shorter, but the overall structure stays the same — a two-week sprint in early June.

Is the junior cert easier now?

What are the easiest and hardest Junior Cycle subjects?

The Junior Cycle, which replaced the traditional Junior Certificate, was designed to emphasise broader skills such as critical thinking, communication, and continuous assessment, according to Citizens Information (official government guidance). Opinions on difficulty vary widely. Some students find the new style less stressful because of the mix of class-based assessments and final exams, while others miss the straightforward structure of the old system. The number of subjects assessed has also changed — from a typical set of 10–11 to a more flexible core of 8–10, with options like Coding, Wood Technology, and Graphics now available.

• Subjects frequently cited as challenging: Mathematics, Higher Level English, Science
• Subjects often considered manageable: CSPE, SPHE, Physical Education (non-exam)

The implication: “easier” is subjective, but the reform has shifted the goalposts from rote memorisation to applied skills — a change that rewards different types of learners.

The implication: the Junior Cycle rewards adaptable learners, so a flexible study approach helps.

Timeline: Junior Cert 2025–2026

• March 2025 – Music practical exams (18–28 March)
• 4–16 June 2025 – Junior Cycle 2025 written exams
• 8 October 2025 – 2025 results released
• Late October 2025 – Appeal deadline for 2025 results
• 3–15 June 2026 – Junior Cycle 2026 written exams
• October 2026 (expected) – 2026 results released

The signal: the timeline shows a predictable rhythm – exams in June, results in October – which helps families and schools plan the academic year.

What’s clear and what’s unclear

“The 2025 Junior Cycle timetable is available on examinations.ie.”

— State Examinations Commission (official exam body)

“The examination fee for 2026 is €109 per entry, with exemptions for medical card holders.”

— Department of Education (gov.ie)

For Irish students and parents planning ahead, the key takeaway is to mark the June exam window and budget for the 2026 fee. The shift to the Junior Cycle has brought a more consistent schedule, but staying informed through official sources is essential. For those sitting the 2025 exams, results are already in – but the 2026 cohort now has a clear calendar and a known cost.

Frequently asked questions