Students will sit the traditional Leaving Cert this summer - with greater choice than usual.
Education Minister Norma Foley will bring this proposal to Cabinet this morning.
Students had been calling for a combination of written exams and accredited grades - similar to the past two years.
The CAO deadline for higher education course applications will close at 5pm today.
65,535 applications were registered by the close of yesterday's deadline, with today's applications costing 45 euro.