The Irish Grading System for Leaving Certificate subjects
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Grade 7 is the lowest passing grade. Percentage equivalents are a widely used convention, not a national rule; the State Examinations Commission (SEC) sets grading rules nationally.
This page explains how Irish grades are set and reported, and offers context for teachers working with students from Ireland. It also compares related grading systems and identifies sources used to verify the information.
The Irish grading scale: 1 to 8
Since 2017, Irish grades run from 1 to 8, with 1 the highest, and grades 1 to 5 considered good; widely used percentage equivalents are a convention, not a national rule.
| Grade | Passing | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yes | 90 to 100% |
| 2 | Yes | 80 to 89% |
| 3 | Yes | 70 to 79% |
| 4 | Yes | 60 to 69% |
| 5 | Yes | 50 to 59% |
| 6 | Yes | 40 to 49% |
| 7 | Yes | 30 to 39% |
| 8 | No | 0 to 29% |
Percent bands follow a widely used convention, not a national rule. The percentage ranges are given in the Eurydice description of the grading system.
At Higher Level, H7 is sufficient; at Ordinary Level, O6 is sufficient. The evidence does not specify a Foundation Level pass grade.
At Leaving Certificate Higher Level, H7 is still sufficient, while at Ordinary Level, O6 is still sufficient. Calculated grades are expressed in the same manner as current Leaving Certificate grades, such as H1. (Nuffic; gov.ie)
Compared with related systems
Ireland
7 of 8 grades pass
Netherlands
5 of 10 grades pass
Who sets Irish grades and how they are reported
Irish grading rules are set nationally by the State Examinations Commission (SEC). Formal assessment in the senior cycle is managed through State examinations administered by the SEC (Eurydice).
The Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement (JCPA) replaces the Junior Certificate and includes State Examination and Classroom-Based Assessment results, participation in a short course, and other achievements such as extracurricular activities (Eurydice).
The school reports Classroom-Based Assessments to parents or guardians, and reports them to students and parents or guardians during junior cycle and in the JCPA (Eurydice).
Teaching students from Ireland
Students may bring Junior Cycle Profiles of Achievement, a new award that replaces the Junior Certificate. Check the document’s grading key and ask the student or school if you need help interpreting a grade.
Record the grades in your gradebook using the key on the document. Set the scale up once in a gradebook so every report card and transcript you produce uses the same key.
Related grading systems
Sources and verification
- [1]gov.ie. A Guide to Calculated Grades for Leaving Certificate Students 2020. Accessed Sep 24, 2026. Official source
- [2]assets.gov.ie. Accredited Grades for Leaving Certificate 2021. pdf. Accessed Sep 24, 2026. Official source
- [3]nuffic.nl. Grades and study results | Nuffic. Accessed Sep 24, 2026. Credential evaluator
- [4]eurydice.eacea.ec.europa.eu. Assessment in Lower Secondary Education. Accessed Sep 24, 2026. Credential evaluator
- [5]eurydice.eacea.ec.europa.eu. Assessment in Upper Secondary Education. Accessed Sep 24, 2026. Credential evaluator
The facts on this page were last verified on Sep 28, 2026. Suggest a correction
Frequently asked questions
What is a passing grade in Ireland?
For Leaving Certificate subjects, the lowest passing grade is 7. At Higher Level, H7 is sufficient, and at Ordinary Level, O6 is sufficient.
Do schools in Ireland use percentages for grades?
Yes. Leaving Certificate grades have widely used percentage equivalents, but these are a convention rather than a national rule.
Is a 5 a good grade in Ireland?
A grade of 5 is considered a good grade in Ireland. It corresponds to 50–59% under the widely used Leaving Certificate percentage convention.
