Thousands of Leaving Certificate students have received upgraded results today following the official release of the 2026 appeal outcomes by the State Examinations Commission (SEC).
Data published by the SEC reveals that a record-breaking 26,454 grade appeals were submitted by candidates this year—marking a substantial 27% surge compared to the 20,764 appeals lodged in 2025.
Of the total appeals processed, 5,119 results were upgraded, meaning approximately 19.3% of students who challenged their original calculated grades or exam marks were successful. Additionally, the SEC's internal quality assurance checks automatically upgraded 110 grades for subjects that candidates had not explicitly appealed.
Key Timelines & CAO Impact
According to updates from both the SEC and the Central Applications Office (CAO), the upgraded results will immediately impact third-level college admissions:
- CAO Round 5 Offers: The upgraded results have been securely transferred to the CAO. Round 5 offers will be formally issued online on Tuesday, 29 September at 2:00 PM.
- Acceptance Deadline: Students receiving a new offer must accept it by Thursday, 1 October at 3:00 PM.
- Course Capacity Constraints: Higher education institutions have noted that due to high course capacities, some students who now meet the required points threshold may be offered a deferred entry for the 2027 academic year instead of immediate admission this term.
- Fee Refunds: The SEC confirmed that students who received an upgrade will be issued an automatic €40 refund per subject via their original payment method.
For students still considering their options, WhichCollege.ie provides information on courses, colleges and third-level study choices across Ireland, helping students explore the range of pathways available to them.
