The Government is likely to make a decision on whether to hold the tradition Leaving Cert sometime this week, with a key policy meeting taking place later today.
Senior ministers will discuss the exam, schools reopening and childcare at a meeting of the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Education.
Opposition parties and many students and parents have been calling on the Government to make an early decision on the Leaving Cert.
Last year's exam was cancelled with one month's notice. The Government is now aiming to make a decision on the exam in the next few days or at the latest, early next week.