📝 Important
The official Junior Cert Timetable 2026 is published by the State Examinations Commission on examinations.ie. Schools may provide additional guidance about exam rooms, arrival times and local arrangements.
Understanding the full Junior Cert exam timetable early helps students plan revision properly, especially when two subjects fall on the same day or within 24 hours of each other.
Next, we’ll break down the key dates and practical exam windows before presenting the full detailed timetable table.
Junior Cert 2026 Exam Dates - Official Written Examination Window
The Junior Cycle written examinations in 2026 start from Wednesday 3 June 2026 and finish on Monday 15 June 2026.
The official Junior Cert Timetable 2026 confirms that the written examination period runs across 13 days in June. The Junior Cert written exam period lasts 13 days in total. These dates are fixed by the State Examinations Commission and apply nationally to all Junior Cycle candidates.
📅 Official Exam Window
- Start date: Wednesday 3 June 2026
- Final written exam: Monday 15 June 2026
- Exam period length: 13 days
- Sessions per day: Morning and afternoon on most days
🕘 Junior Cert Exam Start Times
According to the official timetable:
- Morning examinations begin at 9.30am
- All afternoon examinations begin at 1.30pm
Individual exam papers typically last between 1 hour 30 minutes and 2 hours, depending on the subject.
The timetable clearly states that the start time for all Junior Cycle afternoon examinations is 1.30pm.
⏰ Attendance Requirement
Candidates are required to be in attendance at least 30 minutes before the examination begins in the subject in which they first present themselves.
This is an official requirement stated on the Junior Cycle Examination Timetable 2026.
Schools may provide additional local instructions regarding:
- Exam rooms
- Seating arrangements
- Entry procedures
- Materials allowed
Always follow guidance issued by your school alongside the national timetable.
The table below reproduces the official Junior Cycle Examination Timetable 2026, including subject, level, exact time and session. All times and subject listings are taken directly from the State Examinations Commission timetable.
- Morning exams begin at 9.30am
- All afternoon exams begin at 1.30pm
- Some subjects include aural components within the listed time
- Certain days include two morning subjects running simultaneously (for different candidates)
- Candidates must arrive at least 30 minutes before their first examination
All information above is taken from the official Junior Cycle Examination Timetable 2026 issued by the State Examinations Commission.
Junior Cert Practical Exams and Coursework Dates 2026
In addition to the written examinations in June, several Junior Cycle subjects include practical components and coursework completion deadlines earlier in the academic year.
The following dates are taken from the official Junior Cycle Schedule of Examination Dates 2026 issued by the State Examinations Commission.
- Starting from: Monday 2 March 2026
- Finishing on: Friday 13 March 2026
Students taking Music complete their practical performance during this national examination window before the June written exams.
- Starting from: Monday 13 April 2026
- Finishing on: Friday 24 April 2026
The practical performance element of Home Economics takes place during this period in advance of the written paper in June.
Coursework Completion Deadlines – Junior Cycle 2026
Certain subjects have nationally set coursework completion dates during the 2025–2026 school year.
November 2025
Friday 21 November 2025
Completion date for Junior Cycle – Graphics
March 2026
Friday 27 March 2026
Completion date for Junior Cycle – Visual Art
April 2026
Friday 17 April 2026
Completion date for Junior Cycle:
- Engineering Coursework
- Wood Technology Coursework
May 2026
Friday 1 May 2026
Completion date for Junior Cycle – Applied Technology Coursework
🏫 Assessment of Practical Coursework in June
Over the course of June in schools, assessment of practical coursework takes place in:
- Visual Art
- Engineering
- Wood Technology
- Applied Technology
These assessments are organised within schools alongside the national written examination schedule.
Understanding these coursework and practical deadlines is important, as many components are completed before the written Junior Cert exams begin on Wednesday 3 June 2026.
Junior Cert Exam Day Structure - What Students Should Know
Understanding how each exam day works can help reduce stress during the Junior Cert Timetable 2026 period. The written examination structure is consistent across subjects and follows nationally fixed start times.
🕘 Exam Session Times
- Morning examinations begin at 9.30am
- All afternoon examinations begin at 1.30pm
The official timetable clearly states that the start time for all Junior Cycle afternoon examinations is 1.30pm.
Most days include:
- One morning session
- One afternoon session
Some days include multiple subjects running at the same time in the morning, depending on subject choice.
⏰ Arrival Time Requirement
Candidates are required to be in attendance at least 30 minutes before the examination begins in the subject in which they first present themselves.
Arriving early allows time for:
- Seating arrangements
- Candidate verification
- Distribution of examination papers
- Reading instructions
Schools may provide additional local guidance about entry times and exam rooms.
📅 How Many Exams Can Be on One Day?
According to the Junior Cert Timetable 2026:
- Students may sit up to two written exams in one day
- These are typically divided between the morning and afternoon sessions
- Some subjects run simultaneously, depending on subject combinations
Planning revision around days with two exams is important, particularly where one subject follows another within a short timeframe.
📌 Before Each Exam
Students should:
- Confirm the exact subject and level they are sitting
- Check exam times carefully
- Bring permitted materials only
- Follow instructions issued by their school
The official Junior Cert Timetable 2026 should always be used as the primary reference for exam dates and times.
Junior Cert Results 2026 – Expected Release Date and Access
Junior Cycle results are typically issued several months after the written examinations conclude in June.
For 2026, Junior Cert results are expected to be released in October 2026, based on the standard national timeline for Junior Cycle results.
📅 When Will Junior Cert Results Be Released in 2026?
- Written exams finish on Monday 15 June 2026
- Results are expected in October 2026
- The confirmed release date will be announced by the State Examinations Commission
Schools will notify students once the official results date is confirmed.
🏫 How Junior Cert Results Are Issued
Junior Cycle results are:
- Made available to schools through the State Examinations Commission Schools Portal
- Distributed to students by their schools
- Accessible online via examinations.ie
Students should follow instructions from their school regarding how and when results can be collected or accessed online.
🔁 How to Appeal Junior Cert Results
Students who wish to appeal their results must apply through their school.
- Appeal dates are announced after results are released
- An appeal fee applies per subject
- The fee is refunded if the grade is upgraded
Schools will provide detailed guidance on the appeals process once results are issued.
Junior Cert results form part of the Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement (JCPA) and may influence subject level placement for the Leaving Certificate.
Junior Cert Exam Fee 2026 - Cost and Exemptions
All Junior Cycle candidates are required to pay an examination entry fee unless they qualify for an exemption.
For 2026, the Junior Cert examination fee is:
This fee applies to school-based Junior Cycle candidates.
💳 Who Is Exempt from the Junior Cert Exam Fee?
Candidates are exempt from paying the examination fee if they:
- Hold a full medical card, or
- Are covered for all services under a parent or guardian’s full medical card
Schools will confirm the process for claiming an exemption and any required documentation.
🏫 How Is the Fee Paid?
Payment arrangements are managed by individual schools. Students should:
- Check payment deadlines with their school
- Confirm the amount due
- Ensure any exemption documentation is submitted on time
The State Examinations Commission sets the national fee, but schools handle collection and administration.
Understanding the Junior Cert exam fee 2026 early ensures there are no administrative issues before the written examinations begin in June.
The Junior Cert Timetable 2026 sets out the complete written examination schedule from Wednesday 3 June to Monday 15 June 2026, alongside practical exam windows and coursework deadlines earlier in the academic year.
Knowing your exact subject dates and times in advance allows you to:
- Plan revision more effectively
- Prepare for days with two exams
- Track practical and coursework deadlines
- Avoid last-minute confusion
The official timetable published by the State Examinations Commission should always be used as the primary reference for exam dates and times.
If you are preparing for the 2026 Junior Cycle examinations, use the timetable above to structure your study plan carefully and stay organised throughout the exam period.
