Two distinct possibilities for how this year's Leaving Cert will be run have been identified by the Department of Education.
Education Minister Norma Foley has called on education stakeholders to take part in more discussions on what the exams will look like.
Weeks of talks on this year's Leaving Cert has led to an invitation to further talks.
The Department of Education says stakeholders have been invited to consider two possibilities.
One is full written exams, with modifications to the papers to provide further choice.
The other is an alternative option that could include calculated grades, but would also take more account of factors such as practicals and orals.
That alternative option may also include some element of written exams, with details yet to be worked out.
The Department is also putting a priority on ensuring whatever option they go with, students can get timely access to third level next year.
The talks could yet continue for a number of weeks, with both physical exams and predictive grades still on the table.
However, Minister Foley said the talks will be 'focused and immediate'.
She said: “We must provide our students with a clear way to progress to the next stage in life – further and higher education and training or the world of work.
“Students want certainty. They want fairness. They deserve both."
In a statement, the ASTI teachers' union said it has accepted the invitation to talks - saying they're "committed to working constructively with all stakeholders" so that exams can go ahead as normally as possible.
They add that alternative plans will be put in place in case they're necessary.
It comes as talks also continue on the reopening of schools, with special schools set to reopen from next week.
