A record 135,000 students are due to sit the State exams today.
Both Junior and Leaving Certs will sit English papers from 9.30 this morning.
It's the first time this year's sixth years are facing a formal State exam, as their Junior Cert was cancelled during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Minister Norma Foley, says getting this far is a huge achievement.
"I want to acknowledge as well that when one student is taking an exam the whole house is taking an exam, so I want to acknowledge the support that comes from families, from parents and guardians, and siblings as well.
"It's a great, great achievement to have gotten to this point in your education.
"Do the best that you can, give it your all, and I always said to my students all will be well, everything does work out in the end."
