Making an Appeal - The Process

An appeal is a process whereby you ask for your exam to be remarked. You can apply for a viewing of your exam papers (scripts) without carrying out an appeal. However, it is highly recommended that you view your script before you apply for an appeal. 

In order to make an appeal application, you should use the online Appeals Application Service on the Candidate Self-Service Portal. You access this service online using your Examination Number and PIN.  

Once you have logged in, you will be presented with details of the subjects of the examinations that you sat. To apply for an appeal, you should tick the ‘Appeal’ box across from the subject(s) you choose to appeal and complete the online appeal application.  This application will be the same for all scripts whether marked manually or online.

An Appeal Confirmation form will be emailed to you and you should ensure the details on this are correct as late appeals will not be accepted under any circumstances. Dates of results of appeals are yet to be confirmed.

After the appeals results are issued, candidates are entitled to view their scripts again, including the responses recorded by the appeal examiner. If the candidate is still unhappy with their grade and feels that they should have received a higher one, they can appeal to a panel of Independent Appeal Scrutineers. The candidate can then raise concerns regarding the marking of their paper/s with the panel.

A valid application will comprise both the application to appeal and the payment of the appeal fee. The fee to appeal a result is €40 per subject for Leaving Certificate and €15.50 per subject for Leaving Certificate applied. The fee is refunded in the case of a successful appeal. 

Viewing Scripts

Before appealing, you can view your scripts.

Applications to view Leaving Certificate examination scripts must be made by candidates through the Candidate Self Service Portal.

Leaving Certificate Applied viewing applications must be made by email. Candidates will be provided with an LCA Viewing Application Form on the Candidate Self Service Portal which should be emailed to viewlcascript@examinations.ie. There are two different processes for viewing of scripts depending on how the script was marked.

1. Viewing online through the Candidate Self Service Portal

With the expansion of online marking to the majority of subjects for the 2025 Leaving Certificate, most script viewing will be online through the Candidate Self Service Portal. The online viewing process is delivered through the Candidate Self Service Portal and involves candidates having timebound access to PDFs of the scripts.

2. Viewing in-person in schools   

Viewing in Schools will take place across 2 viewing sessions - details of which are to be confirmed for 2025.  

Advice for script viewing day

• Bring in a mobile device or camera to copy your script.
• No writing implements are allowed into the viewing centre 
• Leave a sheet of paper and pen outside the viewing centre
• If you discover an error in marking, leave the viewing centre and record both the number of the question and the answer that you are disputing.
• Note the reason why you are disputing the marks for your answer, on your rough paper. e.g. Question 9 (d) All points on the marking scheme are covered; only 9 out of 12 marks scored.
• Repeat the process as many times as are required for as long as it takes you to go through your exam paper.
• Return your exam paper and marking scheme to the Superintendent at the viewing centre.
• Return the completed Candidate Observation Report from(s) to the Organising Superintendent so that they can associate the form with the relevant script.

What will I see when I view a script that has been marked online?

You will see a digital image of your script which will include a report of the marks assigned to each question (or part, sub-part, etc.) according to the marking scheme. In the script itself you will see any annotations (crosses, ticks, underlines, etc.) that the examiner applied to your work while marking it. The annotations used will be explained in the subject specific marking schemes which will be published in advance of the viewing. Online marking also provides for monitoring of examiner’s work in the same way as paper-based marking. While you will only see one final set of marks, you will know that your script has been monitored as the annotations will be in green as opposed to an examiner’s annotations which will be in red. The marking schemes for all subjects will be published online only and will be available for the viewing.

Successful Appeals

The SEC will inform the CAO directly of all changes in results. The dates for the results of the appeals have not been released yet as there is now way of knowing how many appeals there will be. The SEC have stated that every effort will be made to have the process completed as early as possible. 

If you have requested to appeal some of your Leaving Certificate examinations, and if your results are changed on appeal, your position on the Order of Merit list will be altered to reflect your new points score. If you are deemed entitled to a place on a course based on your upgraded Leaving Certificate results you will receive an offer. If all of the places for that course have already been allocated, you will receive a deferral of the offer for the following academic year. The decision to offer a place is made by the HEI in question and not the CAO.

Outcomes of the appeals process

Students who receive an upgraded CAO place following Stage 1 or 2 of the appeals process may be able to take up their place in the 2025/2026 academic year. But there are no guarantees as it will depend on how many appeals are made and the specific course in question.  

Students who are successful at the Independent Appeal Scrutineer stage (stage 3), and who receive an improved CAO offer at that stage, will most likely receive a deferred offer to start their course in the 2026/27 academic year.

If a student who has started first year of a course becomes entitled to a higher CAO offer and chooses to accept that deferred offer in the following academic year, the student will keep their eligibility for free fees and SUSI funding (if applicable).

Tip

Keep a folder of important documentation, including correspondence and dates relating to LC results, SEC Appeals and CAO Offers.
Keep an eye on key CAO dates