Few things cause more anxiety for Irish secondary school students and their parents than the release of the Junior Cert exam timetable. With the 2026 Junior Cycle written examinations confirmed to run from Wednesday, 3 June to Monday, 15 June, now is the time to get organised. This guide gathers the official dates, download links, and key details so you can plan your exam season with confidence.

4 related posts

Exam start date: Wednesday, 3 June 2026 · Exam end date: Monday, 15 June 2026 · Official source: gov.ie · Timetable release: November 2025

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact subject schedule (order of exams) not yet published in detail; only start and end dates confirmed.
  • Whether oral or practical exams fall outside the written period – not specified in current sources.
3Timeline signal
4What’s next

The official exam window is compact and weekdays only — five key facts set the scene.

Item Value
Exam start Wednesday, 3 June 2026
Exam end Monday, 15 June 2026
Official website examinations.ie – State Examinations Commission
Timetable release November 2025
Duration 13 days (weekdays only)

The pattern: a compressed window that rewards early planning.

When is the Junior Cert 2026 timetable released?

The Irish Department of Education confirmed that the Junior Cycle 2026 written exam timetable was released in November 2025. The official announcement, published on gov.ie (the government’s education publications portal), states that the timetable covers all written examinations from 3 June to 15 June 2026. Schools typically receive the schedule shortly after the official release and share it with students.

Bottom line: The timetable dropped in November 2025 and is now available from the State Examinations Commission. Students should check their school’s portal for a copy. Parents should bookmark the official gov.ie page so they do not miss updates.

The implication: November is your trigger month. If you have not seen the timetable by early December, contact your school.

How to download the Junior Cert 2026 timetable PDF?

Official download sources

The primary source for the timetable PDF is the State Examinations Commission website (examinations.ie, Ireland’s exam authority). Several education portals also host mirrors for convenience – for instance, ERSS.ie (a school resource platform) lists the 2026 timetable among its state exam downloads.

PDF format details

The file is typically named “JC Exam Timetable 2026.pdf” and is formatted as a two-page PDF with all subject slots listed by date and session. A copy hosted on a school management system – reportedly available via an iClassCRM mirror – shows the same official layout.

PDF at a glance
  • File name: JC Exam Timetable 2026.pdf
  • Pages: 2
  • Includes all written exam dates, times, and subject levels

Why this matters: Having the PDF on your phone or printed out means you can check your exam schedule instantly without rummaging through emails.

What are the exam dates for Junior Cert 2026?

Start and end dates

The written exam period begins on Wednesday, 3 June 2026 and ends on Monday, 15 June 2026, as confirmed by gov.ie (the Department of Education’s official page) and Citizens Information (Ireland’s public service guide). Exams are held on weekdays only – no weekend sittings – which compresses 13 calendar days into 9 exam days.

Subject scheduling overview

Individual subject dates are fixed in the official timetable. Based on published partial schedules from The Tuition Centre (an Irish exam preparation resource), key slots include:

  • 3 June (morning): English (Higher & Ordinary) 09:30–11:30
  • 3 June (afternoon): Religious Education 13:30–15:30
  • 4 June (morning): Irish T1 & T2 (with aural) 09:30–11:30
  • 4 June (afternoon): Geography 13:30–15:30
  • 5 June (morning): History 09:30–11:30
  • 5 June (afternoon): Mathematics (Higher & Ordinary) 13:30–15:30
  • 8 June (morning): Science 09:30–11:30
  • 8 June (afternoon): Business Studies 13:30–15:30
  • 9 June (afternoon): French (with aural) 13:30–15:30
  • 10 June (morning): Home Economics 09:30–11:00
  • 11 June (morning): German (with aural) 09:30–11:30
  • 11 June (afternoon): Wood Technology 13:30–15:00
  • 12 June (morning): Music 09:30–11:00

The full timetable also includes Art, Craft & Design, Technology, and other subjects across the nine days.

The upshot

With 13 different subject slots across 9 exam days, the schedule is dense but manageable – no two exams overlap, and the morning/afternoon split gives you half a day to review before each paper.

The pattern: Core subjects (English, Irish, Maths) are early in the period, giving students a solid week to focus on option subjects later.

Where can I find the official Junior Cert 2026 timetable?

Government sources

The primary official source is the State Examinations Commission (SEC, Ireland’s state exam body). The SEC publishes the definitive timetable on its website, usually as a downloadable PDF. The Department of Education also hosts the timetable on gov.ie (the government’s education section).

School and exam board links

Most secondary schools distribute the timetable to students via their internal portals or notice boards. ERSS.ie (an education resources site) also aggregates the 2026 timetables for easy access. If you cannot find it on your school’s platform, the SEC website is your fallback.

What to watch

Only the timetables on examinations.ie or gov.ie are 100% official. Third-party mirrors may be outdated or contain errors – always cross-check against the SEC PDF.

The trade-off: Convenience versus authority. School portals are quick but not guaranteed to have the latest version; the SEC website is the single source of truth.

How long is the Junior Cert 2026 exam period?

The written exam period spans 13 calendar days, from the start date of 3 June 2026 to the end date of 15 June 2026. Because exams are held only on weekdays, the active exam days total nine. According to the Department of Education’s published schedule, there are no Saturday or Sunday exams, giving students two full weekends for rest and last-minute revision.

Bottom line: The period feels short – just 13 days – but the Tuesday-to-Friday gaps mean most students have at least two full days off before their final exam. Parents of students with options should mark the break days on the family calendar.

What this means: A compressed exam window can increase stress, but the built-in weekends offer a crucial breather. Plan your revision so you peak on exam mornings, not the night before.

Timeline signal

1November 2025
Timetable released by State Examinations Commission (gov.ie – official announcement)
23 June 2026
Written exams begin (Citizens Information – exam dates)
315 June 2026
Written exams end (gov.ie – official timeline)
4Mid- to late June 2026
Results and additional assessments (details not yet published)

Confirmed facts

  • Junior Cycle written exams start Wednesday, 3 June 2026.
  • Junior Cycle written exams end Monday, 15 June 2026.
  • Official timetable is available from State Examinations Commission.
  • English, Irish, Maths, Science, Business, History, Geography, French, German, Religion, Home Economics, Wood Technology, Music, Art are all scheduled in the written period.

What’s unclear

  • Exact order of all subjects beyond the partial schedule reported by tutoring centres – full official listing not yet confirmed.
  • Whether oral and practical components (e.g., for modern languages, music, technology) fall inside or outside the written period – not specified in current sources.
  • Results release date – expected mid- to late June 2026 but not officially announced.

“The Junior Cycle written examinations will start on Wednesday, 3 June 2026 and finish on Monday, 15 June 2026.”

— Department of Education (gov.ie – official announcement)

“The Junior Cycle 2026 timetable was released in November 2025, and the PDF is available for download on the SEC website.”

— CareersPortal.ie (Ireland’s careers information platform)

With the timetable now public and the exam period fixed, the next step for every Junior Cycle student is to build a revision plan around the nine exam days. The compressed schedule means you cannot afford to leave any subject to the last minute. For parents and guardians, the takeaway is clear: support your child by printing the timetable, marking the exam dates on the family calendar, and ensuring they have a quiet study space during the two weekend gaps. The Budget 2026 Child Benefit: €140 per Child, No Double Payment and Household Benefits Package Ireland 2026: Eligibility, Rates & How to Apply articles on Observer Ireland offer helpful context on family support schemes that can ease financial pressure during exam season. For students, the choice is simple: start reviewing past papers now, or risk feeling overwhelmed when June arrives.

Additional sources

simplestudy.com, stmarkscs.ie, daviscollege.ie, scribd.com, fingalcc.ie, grinds360.ie

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Frequently asked questions

What subjects are examined in Junior Cert 2026?

The written exams cover English, Irish (both T1 and T2), Mathematics, Science, History, Geography, Business Studies, French, German, Spanish, Art Craft & Design, Music, Home Economics, Wood Technology, Technology, Religious Education, and other optional subjects as offered by schools.

Can I request a clash resolution for Junior Cert exams?

Yes, if two of your exams are scheduled at the same time, you must contact the State Examinations Commission as early as possible. They will arrange a supervised session to sit one of the papers separately.

Are there oral or practical exams in Junior Cycle?

Yes, for subjects like Irish, French, German, Spanish, and Music there are oral/aural components, and for Technology, Wood Technology, and Art there are practical elements. These typically occur in April or May, before the written exams.

What time do Junior Cert exams typically start?

Morning sessions begin at 09:30 and afternoon sessions at 13:30. Exam timings are fixed by the State Examinations Commission and are the same across all schools.

Is the Junior Cert 2026 timetable available in Irish?

The official timetable from the SEC is usually published in both Irish and English. Look for “Sceideal Scrúduithe 2026 – An tSraith Shóisearach” on examinations.ie.

How are Junior Cert results released after the exams?

Results are issued online via the SEC’s candidate portal in late June or early July. Schools also receive paper statements to distribute to students.

What should I do if I lose my timetable PDF?

Download a fresh copy from the State Examinations Commission website (examinations.ie) or ask your school’s examination secretary to resend it. Do not rely on photocopies from friends – always use the official PDF.