Dr. Emer Smyth:

There might be some benefit but at the same time we run the risk of young people being in the position of preparing for a separate matriculation exam driven in the same way. We need to change the mode of assessment and how that is recognised for entry to higher education. It is also important to say employers pay a good deal of attention to leaving certificate grades in deciding to employ young people and in the kinds of jobs in which they employ them. That effect is even stronger where jobs are scarce.