Important information for Leaving Cert and Leaving Cert Applied 2023 Candidates
Similar to previous exam years candidates sitting their Leaving Cert and Leaving Cert Applied exams in 2023 must log onto the Candidate Self Service Portal (CSSP) before 5pm Tuesday 21 February 2023. To view this information in Irish click here. To access the CSSP website click here.
The CSSP is used for the following:
- to allow Leaving Certificate candidates to confirm their subjects
- to allow Leaving Certificate candidates to confirm their levels
- to allow candidates to make changes to personal information
The portal opens on Wednesday 8 February 2023 at 1pm and closes at Tuesday 21 February 2023 at 5pm.
- HELPDESK
Enquiries on foot of this circular should be sent by e-mail to entries@examinations.ie. The Entries Section can also be contacted by telephone at 090- 6442705 or 6442857. The use of email is recommended.
Information on registering to access CSSP
- During this time Leaving Certificate Applied Year 2 candidates will be required to:
Register and create their account.
- During this time Leaving Certificate (excluding Leaving Certificate Applied) candidates will be required to complete the following:
Step 1: Register and create their portal account
Step 2: Activate their account by selecting the link sent to the email that they registered on the portal
Step 3: Confirm their subject and level entry details, and add or delete subjects from the records presented to them.
If applicable, amend any inaccuracy in their name and/or date of birth.
- Reviewing and Confirming Subjects and Levels.
The portal will be pre-populated with the data entered by schools through the PPOD October returns process (i.e. Names, Date of Births, Subjects & Levels). This means that only those subjects which candidates have been studying in schools will be displayed on the portal.
It is extremely important at this stage that schools engage with candidates regarding their selection of their level in each subject at this time. Candidates should be advised by their teachers to select the level at which they are currently studying each subject. The SEC will use this information for planning purposes. We will also provide this information to schools through a turnaround document for review. Candidates will be permitted to change levels in the written examinations on the day of the examination, as in previous years.
Candidates will have the opportunity to add any subjects that they are studying outside of school or to delete subjects if they are no longer intending to present for examinations in particular subjects.
It is extremely important that candidates take the time to ensure that their examination entries are correct on the portal before they submit. Once a candidate has confirmed their subjects and levels on the portal they will not be able to log back into the portal to update their data. Candidates will receive a confirmation email outlining the subjects and levels they are entered for. If a candidate notices an error on their confirmation email they must contact the school in relation to the error.
- Reviewing and Confirming Name and Date of Birth
For 2023, a new feature has been added to the CSSP. If the prepopulated name and date of birth is incorrect, candidates will have an opportunity to update their record on the CSSP during the registration process. Once they have completed the registration process they will not be able to log back in to update.
- Role of Schools in Checking and Confirming the Information Updated by Candidates
When the candidate entry confirmation process on the CSSP has concluded, the SEC will provide schools with a report of the entries(Matrix) for the candidates in the school for review and confirmation. For data and examinations integrity reasons, schools will also be issued with a turnaround document for verification in respect of any candidates who have updated their names and/or date of births. Having this data captured accurately now will reduce our requirement to contact schools and candidates in the summer period.
Further information and relevant amendment forms will be sent with the Matrix report. It is only after the portal has closed and the matrix has issued that the SEC will update candidate data at the request of school. Please do not send amendments prior to receiving the matrix.
We appreciate your assistance at this time in ensuring that all candidates are notified about this process and complete their entry confirmation by the closing date.
- Access to the Portal
Leaving Certificate candidates will access the portal at www.examinations.ie from Wednesday 8 February at 1pm. A CSSP Before You Start Guide 2023 will be provided which candidates should read before commencing the process. To access the portal, candidates will need the following:
- their examination number (The SEC provided these to schools before Christmas)
- Personal Identification Number (PIN). The PIN will be the first 4 digits of the candidate’s Personal Public Services Number (PPS number). In the event that a candidate does not have a PPS number or a PPS was not recorded a unique PIN will be created and issued to the school prior to the portal opening.
- an email address and mobile phone number to which the candidate will have regular access to over the coming months.
- Examination Fees 2023
Arrangements regarding fees for 2023 will be notified at a later stage.
- DATA PRIVACY – GDPR
GDPR lays out responsibilities for organisations to ensure the privacy and protection of personal data. Data Protection is an EU fundamental right for all individuals. All organisations that collect, control or process personal data are required under law to make sure that the data they collect is obtained fairly, stored securely and retained for no longer than is necessary. Therefore, you have a responsibility in how you manage personal data and must ensure that all documentation that contains personal data is stored securely and only used for the purpose it was obtained. Access to all documentation should be restricted to authorised staff only.
If you think there might be a possible Data Breach, please immediately contact the SEC’s Data Protection Officer by sending an e-mail to dpo@examinations.ie. There is a requirement on organizations to report personal data breaches to the relevant supervisory authority, where the breach presents a risk to the affected individuals. The SEC will undertake a risk assessment and as necessary will notify the Data Protection Commissioner (DPC) in line with its obligations.
Further information on the 2023 examination process will issue in due course. Thank you for your attention to these important matters.