You can calculate your CAO points using the CareersPortal's Points Calculator. This can be used to quickly convert your Leaving Cert Grades into CAO Points. This online calculator is designed to assist students in calculating their points very quickly. The Leaving Certificate Calculator presents the results from the combination of their highest 6 subjects.
Explore the Leaving Cert Points Calculator here:
CAO Points Explained
The Common Points Scale (CPS), used by the CAO to determine entry into higher education institutions, can be viewed below. The table below shows the CAO points values in relation to the grade attained. (An A2 poster of this image is available from CareersPortal.ie)
Important Points to Note
1. The six best results, in recognised subjects, in one Leaving Certificate examination will be counted for points
2. In terms of Foundation Level Leaving Certificate subjects, some Higher Education Institutions have in the past accepted Foundation Level and awarded LC points for Foundation level Maths (an F1 was worth 20 Points and an F2 got 12 Points). If in doubt, check with the admissions office of the HEI in question - click here for contacts.
3. Students must also meet the minimum entry requirements and any specific subject requirements in order to be considered for a college course place.
4. Bonus Points for Maths - 25 Bonus points will be added to the points score for Leaving Certificate Higher Level Maths
- Students achieving a grade H6 or higher will have 25 Bonus Points added to their total score for Honours Maths - the grade itself does not change.
- No bonus points are given for H7 in Honours Maths, or for any Ordinary Level Maths grade.
NOTE: The 25 Bonus points for Honours Maths are not counted unless Maths (following the addition of the bonus points) is included in the top six subjects counted for the purpose of calculating CAO points.
5. LCVP - Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme
The below table shows the current LCVP CAO points received for each grade.
Leaving Cert Results Example:
| 7 Subjects taken | Level | Grade | LC Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Irish | Higher | H2 | 88 |
| English | Ordinary | O2 | 46 |
| Maths | Higher | H5 | 56+ 25 = 81 |
| French | Higher | H6 | 46 |
| Biology | Higher | H3 | 77 |
| Geography | Ordinary | O3 | 37 |
| History | Higher | H5 | 56 |
Best 6 Scores shown in BOLD |
Total Points = 394 |
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MATRICULATION/ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Higher Education Institutions have basic entry requirements. Below is a table showing both the current requirements and the pre-2017 requirements.
PLC Points
The points awarded for achievement in a PLC course can be calculated by using the points calculator here - QQI - FET points.
For QQI-FET awards the maximum possible total score of 360 (120 credits x 3 for a distinction) multiplied by 13 and divided by 12, to give a maximum overall points score of 390 for applicants from Further Education and training to Higher Education.
For all help and support with Leaving Cert and the next steps, check out the CareersPortal What's Next Guide here.