The CAO Points System

IIn April 2017 the points system for the Leaving Cert exam changed.

Students will get Leaving Certificate 2022 results within the required time frame for Central Applications Office (CAO) and Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). See here for a timeline.

The current CAO points system is as follows:

Higher
Grade	H1	H2	H3	H4	H5	H6	H7	H8
Points	100	88	77	66	56	46	37	0
%Mark	90-100	80<90	80<70	70<60	60<50	50<40	30<40	0<30
Ordinary
Grade	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Q5	Q6	Q7	Q8
Points	56	46	37	28	20	12	0	0
%Mark	90-100	80<90	80<70	70<60	60<50	50<40	30<40	0<30

Maths Bonus Points

25 bonus points will be awarded for Higher Level Mathematics for H6 grades and above. For example, if an applicant receives a H6 grade an additional 25 points will be added to the 46 points already awarded for a H6 grade i.e. Higher Level Mathematics now carries a points score of 71 for this applicant. Click here to view a more detailed description of the Bonus Points Scheme for Higher Level Leaving Certificate Mathematics, with some examples.

Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme

Accompanying conditions for CAO:

1. The six best results, in recognised subjects, in one Leaving Certificate Examination will be counted for points computation.
2. One sitting only of the Leaving Certificate Examination will be counted for points purposes.
3. In the case of certain subjects, e.g. Home Economics General (this subject was discontinued in 2003), Foundation Level Mathematics or Foundation Level Irish, some HEIs may not award the points shown above. If in any doubt, check with the Admissions Office of the appropriate HEIs.
4. Remember, you must first meet the minimum entry requirements in order to be considered for entry to a course. The bonus points are included in the overall points calculation only when Mathematics is one of the applicant's best six subjects following the addition of the bonus.