RACE, Reasonable Accommodations at the Certificate Examinations, is the State Examinations Commission scheme that levels the playing field for neurodivergent students. Discover the accommodations available, who qualifies, and why the deadline cannot be missed.
Schools need an up-to-date psychological assessment to submit. Don't leave it to the public waitlist.
RACE stands for Reasonable Accommodations at the Certificate Examinations. It is a scheme run by the State Examinations Commission (SEC) to help students with physical, visual, hearing, or specific learning difficulties access the state exams.
The goal of RACE is to remove barriers to access without compromising the integrity of the exam. For a student with ADHD sitting the Leaving Cert, the right accommodations can be the difference between an overwhelming panic attack in a silent hall and a fair chance to demonstrate what they know.
Challenges with executive functioning, working memory, time blindness, and focus make the standard exam format particularly unfair for neurodivergent students. RACE recognises this, but accommodations must be evidenced, applied for in good time, and supported by an up-to-date psychological assessment.
Eligibility hinges on documented evidence of how the student's ADHD affects exam access.
RACE covers both Junior Cycle and Leaving Certificate students sitting State Examinations Commission exams.
A current, comprehensive psychological or psychiatric report documenting the student's ADHD and how it impacts learning.
Applications must be submitted by the school's SENCO or guidance counsellor, students and parents cannot apply directly.
The report must show how ADHD affects exam access, focus, working memory, processing speed, or written output.
The SEC expects recent assessment evidence, older reports may need to be reviewed or refreshed.
Applications close in autumn of the exam year, typically October or November of 6th Year for Leaving Cert candidates.
The SEC expects up-to-date professional evidence detailing the functional impact of ADHD in exam conditions. Our Child ADHD Assessment delivers a recent, school-ready report your principal can attach to the RACE application before the autumn deadline.
A summary of accommodations the SEC may grant under RACE, based on the student's profile.
| Accommodation | Likelihood | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Separate room or shared centre | Often granted where clinically indicated | Students easily distracted by noise or movement in the main exam hall |
| Rest breaks | Often granted where clinically indicated | Students who need to pause, regulate, and re-engage during long papers |
| Reading assistant / reader | Granted with evidence | Co-occurring dyslexia or specific reading difficulties |
| Scribe or recording device | Granted with evidence | Significant difficulty with handwriting or organising thoughts on paper |
| Waiver for spelling and grammar penalties | Granted with evidence | Students whose neurodivergence affects written mechanics |
| Standalone extra time | Less commonly granted as a standalone accommodation | Usually only via use of a scribe or rest breaks, not as a standalone accommodation |
The SEC publishes the official scheme rules annually. Final decisions on accommodations are made by the SEC based on the evidence submitted by the school.
RACE applications run through the school, but a strong clinical report is what makes them succeed.
Arrange an up-to-date psychological or psychiatric assessment that documents your teen's ADHD and its impact on learning.
Share the report with the school's SENCO or guidance counsellor. They will identify which accommodations are appropriate.
The school submits the RACE application, including educational and clinical evidence, to the State Examinations Commission.
The SEC reviews and issues a decision. Accommodations are then put in place by the school for both mocks and final exams.
Public waiting lists for child and adolescent psychological assessments can stretch for years. If you wait until 6th Year to join one, you will miss the SEC's autumn deadline, and the school's hands will be tied. Our specialist team provides comprehensive, neuro-affirming diagnostic reports that schools and the SEC recognise, in weeks rather than years. Get the documentation your teen needs to have a fair shot at their Leaving Cert.
Answers to the questions parents and students ask us most often.
Common accommodations include a separate room or shared centre, rest breaks, a reading assistant, a scribe or recording device, and waivers from spelling and grammar marking. The exact mix depends on how the student's ADHD impacts exam access, which is why the diagnostic report matters.
Extra time is less commonly granted as a standalone accommodation. Additional time is typically provided indirectly, for example, where a scribe is used or where rest breaks are approved. The diagnostic report should focus on the functional impact of ADHD rather than asking for extra time by name.
RACE applications typically close in October or November of the exam year, well before mocks. If your teen is heading into 6th Year and does not yet have a current diagnostic report, you need to act now. Public waiting lists will not deliver a report in time.
Possibly, eligibility depends on the documented impact, not the label. Even a student with mild ADHD may qualify for accommodations like a separate room if the report shows that focus or sensory issues materially affect their ability to access the exam. The clinical report needs to make that link clearly.
Our specialist multidisciplinary team understands the urgency of RACE deadlines. We deliver comprehensive, neuro-affirming diagnostic reports that schools and the SEC recognise, without years on a public list.