ALMOST 117,000 STUDENTS are due to start their Leaving and Junior Certificate on Wednesday and the State Examinations Commission (SEC) has urged candidates to arrive on time.

The first day of the exams coincides with the Olympic Torch relay event coming to Dublin. The SEC says its primary concern is to ensure that all those taking the exams in Dublin on Wednesday, 6 June are aware of the delays that could be incurred on the morning as a result.

The areas most likely to be affected are North Dublin, Howth and the City Centre.

In a statement, the SEC said the key message is to plan the journey to arrive “well before the appointed time of 8.30am”. The exams begin at 9.30am but those taking English Paper One are expected to be at their centres before 9am.

The Olympic Council and the Gardaí have factored the State exams into their planning and will be working to ensure that any potential disruptions, including sound levels, are kept to a minimum.

From today, more than 4,800 superintendents will take possession of the boxes containing three million exam papers that will be taken over a 13–day period.

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