OVER 145,000 JUNIOR Cycle and Leaving Cert students will have their written exams kick off this morning.

It’s a record number of candidates once again, up from 140,000 last year (although the number that sat exams was slightly lower at 138,000).

For Leaving Cert students, English Paper 1 is first up. Exams commence at 9.30am.

English Paper 1 relates to comprehension, functional writing (which could include an article or a letter, among others), and composition, which is an option of essays. There are 170 minutes allocated to the paper.

Home Economics will follow with the exam beginning at 2.30pm and continuing until 4.30pm.

Junior Cycle students will also start their English paper at 9.30am, although their exam is two hours long and confined to one paper. It’s followed by religion, which begins at 1.30pm and continues to 3.30pm.

The examinations will run until Tuesday 23 June for the Leaving Certificate, Thursday 11 June for Leaving Certificate Applied, and Monday 15 June for Junior Cycle examinations.

Education Minister Hildegarde Naughton and Junior Minister Michael Moynihan both extended their best wishes to students ahead of the exams.

Naughton also issued thanks to the students’ parents, teachers, and school communities.

“Reaching this stage is a significant achievement, and every student should be immensely proud of what they have already accomplished,” she said. “Getting to this point reflects years of hard work, commitment, resilience and determination, and that achievement deserves to be recognised.”

She said that she understands exams can be both challenging and stressful, but while they are important, “they do not define you or determine a young person’s future on their own”.

“Each student has unique talents, strengths and ambitions, and there are many different pathways available to help achieve your goals.

“My message to students is to do your best, believe in yourselves and remember how much you have already achieved.

“Just as importantly, take care of your wellbeing over the coming weeks and look after one another. Support from friends, family and school communities can make a real difference during this period.”

Sinn Féin’s Education spokesperson Derren O’Rourke similarly wished students luck in the exams and stressed that the exams are not the only route to achieving one’s goals.