Over 55,000 Leaving Cert students will sit exams and accept estimated grades this year.
That makes up around 87% of all students, according to data from the State Examinations Commission.
The vast majority have selected both options.
That compares with 6% opting to take accredited grades only.
While 2% selected to just sit the exam.
Guidance Counsellor Betty McLoughlin says it's too early to say if this system can be adopted permanently:
"After each year of the exams there's an evaluation."
"Depending on the findings of that, it's certainly opened another avenue."
I want a piece of software that lets me jump into my own head and start talking sense to myself during one of my leaving cert dreams
— The Blindboy Podcast (@Rubberbandits) April 12, 2021
"Disapppointing" Figures For Irish
STEM subjects such as Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Biology saw a high uptake in students picking both options.
All of them at over 80%.
However Irish was the lowest with just 58% selecting both options.
Also a further 38% is taking an accredited grade only.
Julian De Spainn from Conradh na Gaeilge says that's disappointing:
"Both the Greens and Fianna Fáil, in the Departments of Education and the Gaelteacht, agree that there should be policies looking overall at how we teach Irish from pre-school to third level."
"We're calling on them to act on that now."
The portal reopens again at the end of this month, where students will be able to finalise their selections.
