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13 students score at least 90 per cent in eight of their Leaving Cert classes

Fifty pupils scored Grade One in seven subjects; another 130 scored the best marks in six subjects
Fifty pupils scored Grade One in seven subjects; another 130 scored the best marks in six subjects Fifty pupils scored Grade One in seven subjects; another 130 scored the best marks in six subjects

THIRTEEN students have come top of the bill in this year's Leaving Certificate, examinations chiefs have revealed.

While no-one managed to secure the highest marks in nine subjects, a studious group of school leavers scored 90 per cent or more in eight of their classes.

Some 58,543 students received their results with analysis showing they were largely in line with recent years.

Fifty pupils scored Grade One in seven subjects; another 130 scored the best marks in six subjects; and another 222 worked their way to top marks in five of their classes.

The State Examinations Commission (SEC), in the first year of a new eight grade system, revealed that more and more pupils are opting to sit higher level papers across nearly all subjects.

The outcome is that while there are no dramatic shifts in standards, more students ended up with lower grades in the higher papers than last year.

The new grading system, which runs from One to Eight, is a shift away from the old system which ran from A1 and A2 down to F and NG.

It allows pupils to secure points for college applications if they achieve between 30 and 39 per cent in higher level papers.

Education Minister Richard Bruton said there were a number of improvements in the Leaving Cert figures.

Some 16,395 pupils - 30 per cent of the class of 2017 - took Higher Maths, reaching the government's target for 2020.