A midlands guidance counsellor says it shows students have faith in the system.
87 percent of Leaving Cert students have chosen both to sit a written exam and take an accredited grade.
New figures from the CAO show STEM subjects had the most popular take-up for both options, with over 8 in 10 sitting exams in maths, physics, biology and chemistry.
However only 58 percent opted for both choices in Irish, with less than 4 in 10 choosing an accredited grade only.
Guidance Counsellor at Coláiste Mhuire Mullingar Betty McLoughlin says the high uptake for both an accredited grade and to sit a written exam shows students have faith in the system: