Leaving Cert results live helpdesk: Ask our guidance counsellors any questions you have

Q: What do you reckon are the chances that the points for courses that were 601/613 last year like actuary in UCD will go up?

A: Unfortunately there is no way of knowing for sure. but the only definitive way of knowing for sure is to wait for Wednesday when the offers come out. Best of luck.

Q: I received 740 points including the HPAT and LC. It is likely that I will have to go for interview for medicine. I have Trinity and RCSI as my first 2 choices. If I have enough points, could both call me for interview or only one? With regards to offers do I have to accept a lower offer and then hope the interview goes well?

A: There is no interview requirement for undergraduate medicine in Ireland. One receives an offer based on meeting entry requiremenst and CAO cut off points.

Q: If more people apply to a course than there are places available, give. That all these people meet tre minimum entry requirements and points requirements, are places randomly allocated?

A: If more people apply for a course than there are places then all the people who apply are listed in order of points, those with the higher points at the top all the way down to the lowest points applicants. Then those at the top get offered the places. E.g. if 100 apply and there are only 50 places then the top 50 people get the places. If there is one place left to be offered and the next two people on the list have the same points then random selection will be used to decide who gets the place.

Q: Our son has actually done better than he had expected and is now worried that he could be offered his first choice even though he would prefer his second. Must he accept his first offer, and is it possible to then be offered his second?

A: If your son is offered his first preference in round one then all course preferences below this disappear. If he does not accept his first preference he will not be made any further offers.

Q: It’s likely that I will have more than enough points for my second choice but I’d rather choose my third choice – both similar courses in same third level facility. What, if any, options I’d I have to switch at this stage?

A: If for example you are offered your 2nd preference then all lower preferences disappear and you will never be offered them. If you become entitled to a higher preference course you will be offered this in the next round. So in effect, you can move up your list of preferences but not down. However, you should contact the college in question. This may be possible after you register. You must have the entry req and points for other course. Space must be available on this course also. It is then at the discretion of the college.

Q: My son got a H3 in biology. He was a H1 student and even got a H1 in his mocks. Can he have his mark reviewed?

A: Yes. All candidiates will have access to their marks via the portal. Marks can be viewed from 12 noon on Tuesday, August 29th. An application for viewing of scripts can be made from 5 pm Aug 29th to 8 pm Aug 30th. You will know more then.

Q: How many points are required for pharmacy?

A: The 2023 CAO points will not be known until 2 pm, Wednesday August 30th. 2022 final cut off points for all three Pharmacy courses were 613*

Q: I received 331 points in my Leaving Cert I placed the course I want now in 6th place. My results today means I may be offered a higher course on my CAO list is their anyway to get this course?

A: If for example you are offered your 2nd preference then all lower preferences disappear and you will never be offered them. If you become entitled to a higher preference course you will be offered this in the next round. So in effect, you can move up your list of preferences but not down.

Q: What role do colleges have with allocation of Dare places?

A: The Admissions Officer of each college determines who gets DARE places.

Q: Link modules FM result on the certificate ..what does that mean ???

A: This stands for a merit and equates to 46 CAO points.

Q: My son wanted global business (Canada) in DCU. He got 543 points and is a good bit off. He wants to get three subjects rechecked. Is there any point? Even if he moves up points he still wont have enough.

A: I would recommend that he views his marks in each subject. This will be available to all leaving cert students via their portal come 12 noon on August 29th. I feel that this might aid his decision. The facility to view examination scripts is provided free of charge. The fee to appeal a result is €40 per subject for Leaving Cert.

Q: Will the breakdown of marks in subjects that had practical/project elements (Music, History etc) be available on the portal on Tuesday?

A: Yes, from midday on Tuesday, you will be able to see your marks for each component of your exams.

Q: Should we wait for a recount until we know placement second choice. As first choice wasn’t achieved. Ten points short to second choice

A: If for example you are offered your 2nd preference then all lower preferences disappear and you will never be offered them. If you become entitled to a higher preference course you will be offered this in the next round. So in effect, you can move up your list of preferences but not down.

Q: If I turn down the first option I get offered through CAO, what happens then?

A: If you turn down your first preference offer on the CAO then you will not be made any other offers in the next rounds. You could have a look at the list of available places and include some if interested but no other options are available to you in the CAO. Of course you can look at some of the other options which may be available to you outside the CAO. These are outlined in today’s supplement in The Irish Times.

Q: What advice do you have about appealing. I am short for my preferred course. And, re 2nd and 3rd round offers. Do points drop by much?

A: I would advise you to view your scripts first. Application to view scripts opens from 5 pm Tuesday, August 29th to 8 pm Wednesday 30 August. All candidates will be able to see exact marks for each subject on their portal by 12 noon, August 29th. You will be able to make a more informed decision regarding an appeal after viewing marks.

Q: Just wondering is there a chance points will go down, my sister is 13 points off her course.

A: Unfortunately there is no way of knowing for sure, there is a chance of course but the only definitive way of knowing for sure is to wait for Wednesday when the offers come out. Best of luck.

Q: What are my points?

A: You can use this calculator to calculate your results: https://careersportal.ie/courses/calculator/pointsCalculator.html

Q: Hello, my son got the points he needed for his 1st choice, but failed one subject so does not have the minimum requirements for any course on his first CAO list. He did only 6 subjects. He’s been granted DARE. He was very happy, but that changed quickly when he looked at the requirements. Is there anything that can be done? How important are the minimum requirements?

A: CAO will only make an offer once a candidate meets the minimum subject and course requirements and CAO cut off points. Minimum entry requirements for any level 8 will be two H5 & four O6/H7. Level 7 courses require 5 subjects. Your son will not receive a level 8 courses given the information that you supplied but may get a level 7. He could use this level 7 as a pathway to a level 8.

Q: Will CAO points be inflated to match the higher demand for courses due to the inflated grades of this years LC?

A: It is always hard to predict but due to the fact that this year’s grades are being maintained at the same level as last year means points on the whole are likely to stay at last year’s high levels.

Q: My son got enough points for the course he wanted, but got a H8 in Maths. What are his options now?

A: If a higher grade in Maths is required for the course above the H8, then points will not be considered. Entry requirements must be met before points can be considered. Entry requirements do not change.

Q: I am 7 points short of my 2nd choice – what are the chances off being offered the course?

A: Supply of places and demand for places is what determines cut off points. It will depend on points received by other interested candidiates and number of places being made available on this course for academic year 2023/24. No way of knowing until Wednesday, August 30th at 2 pm.

Q: If I am lucky enough to be offered a place and accept it but if I have a lower point course further down in my preferences could I still be offered that course in the second round, or is it only if it is a higher points course?

A: If for example you are offered your 5th preference then all lower preferences disappear and you will never be offered them. If you become entitled to a higher preference course you will be offered this in the next round. So in effect, you can move up your list of preferences but not down.

Q: How long does it take to receive the appealed results

A: This date has not been released yet. Late October would be a good guide. It will depend on the number of appeals being made. This will not be known until after Sept 4th.

Q: I am delighted with my 521 points LC. My first choice course was 522 points last year and my other choices are all just under 500 points. Thinking the course points may rise again this year, so my first choice may creep up and I may fall short by a few more points, and may not get offered it on Round 1 or 3. What is your advice ? Can I accept another course on Round one and then change to my first choice, if I got it on round 2 or 3. Just slightly confused on it.

A: Yes is the answer. Accepting a second or third preference in Round 1 does not rule one out of receiving a higher preference offer in future rounds. You will be offered your first choice if and when you meet minimum requirements and cut off points.

Q: Does a PLC course in Ireland count if you are applying to UCAS in the UK?

A: Yes, e.g. many Irish students who do nursing in the UK will firstly do a pre nursing plc here in Ireland and use this to apply to a nursing degree in the UK.

Q: I’m off my course by 9 points and I feel two of subjects (Irish and Italian) I should’ve achieved higher in both. What are the chances of my appeals being approved and does it guarantee me a spot in my course?

A: A larger percentage of appeals tend to go up as opposed to a grade down in the appeals process. You will need to view your marks. You can apply to view your exam scripts via the candidiate self portal from Tuesday, 29th August. LCA must email viewlcascript@examinations.ie. Anyone wishing to apply to appeal their exam results can do so from 10am on Sunday, September 3rd until 5pm on Monday, September 4th. The date for the results from appeals is not known yet. CAO must make you an offer to you if minimum requirements and 2023 cut off points are met. If course is full the the college will reserve a place for you on this course for academic year 2024/25.

Q: My daughter has applied through UCAS. How does it take UCAS to confirm places

A: The university should confirm the place within a day or two if you have met the conditions of the offer. I always recommend ringing the admissions office to make sure they have your results, even though they are sent to UCAS by the SEC.

Q: Will the points for Creative Music Production at IADT Dún Laoghaire go up this year?

A: I’m afraid we have no way of knowing for definite as there are so many variables we are not aware of, i.e. number of places, number of applicants, grades of applicants. We will have to wait until Wednesday to find out for definite.

Q: How and when can my child review the exam scripts to decide whether or not to appeal results?

A: You can apply to view your exam scripts via the candidiate self portal from Tuesday, 29th August at 5pm until Wednesday, August 30th at 8 pm. LCA must email viewlcascript@examinations.ie. Anyone wishing to apply to appeal their exam results can do so from 10am on Sunday, September 3rd until 5pm on Monday, September 4th.

Q: How can I view a script (PE) and how do I appeal?

A: You apply to view your PE script in the Candidate Self Service Portal from Tuesday 29th August at 5pm. If you wish to then apply to appeal the script you again do this in the Self Service Portal from Sunday 3 September at 10am.

Q: I got higher points than I expected to get. Can I change my selection to a higher point course?

A: You cannot change your CAO application at this stage, July 1st was the last date you could change your application I’m afraid.

Q: I got a H4 in English, I have never received less than H2, how can I find out my percentage?

A: You will get all your component marks on Tuesday in the Self Service Portal. To see your complete script and marks you should apply to view your scripts on Tuesday 29th from 5pm.

Q: How do I find out my exact percentage in honours maths as I may appeal if its near to a higher grade. I normally do better than the grade I got.

A: Candidates will see their marks including marks for each component via their portal account. This will be available by 12 noon on Tuesday, August 29th.

Q: Were the French results bad this year? I’m usually a H2 student and got significantly worse.

A: The number of H1, H2 and H3 grades was actually slightly up this year over last year in French. I would suggest applying to view your script maybe with your French teacher to see what might have caused the drop in grade from normal.

Q: My son will most likely get his course but wants to go next year and will defer if it is accepted by the college. He wants to try for a different college next year – does he have to cancel that or just apply to cao again and not lose the deferral?

A: If he is granted a deferral by the college, then he must apply through the CAO next year just putting down that course he deferred and he will be offered it next year. However, if he wants to apply for other courses next year on his CAO, then he is in open competition again and his deferred place is gone.

Q: Will I be offered a H8 and H7 course through the CAO?

A: Yes, if you applied for both level 8 and level 7 courses you could be offered a course from each list and it is up to you to decide which one you want to accept.

Q: I’m 4 points short for my course. What should my next plan of action be?

A: You are short 4 points based on last years points, they could be different this year, so you need to wait to see what happens on Wednesday.

Q: I got a H2 in maths and in Irish. Should I appeal?

A: The only way to know is to view your scripts in these subjects and this will inform your decision.

Q: I’ve applied for a course in UL that was 476 last year, 468 in 2021. I got 487 today. With the grade inflation since last year, is it likely that the points will increase to above what I have.

A: There is no way of knowing the exact points for individual courses for this year. However, the grades are very much in line with last year, and one would assume that 487 points would give you a very good chance of getting an offer on this course which was 476 last year. This is assuming there was a similar number applying for this with similar grades as last year. But you will have to wait until Wednesday to know for definite.

Q: How do I get my daughters results rechecked or even see her actual percentage

A: This is done through the process of viewing and appealing exam results. Applications can be made through the Candidate Self Service Portal where your daughter got her results this morning.

Q: My daughter had ATT in RCSI as her first choice but got a H5 in Maths even though the course needed a H4, will that mean there is no way that she will be offered the course?

A: I’m afraid not. You must meet the course entry requirements in order to be elligble to have your points considered for a course. Entry requirements must be met and do not change.

Q: How can I find out what percentage I got and how close I am to a different result?

A: The best way to do this is to view your script. You can appy to do this through the Candidate Self Service Portal. This application opens on Tuesday 5pm, 29th August.

Q: I got 197 points but my course was 250, although I was accepted for DARE. I’m wondering if it’s possible to still be accepted to the course.

A: Yes it is, but it is very difficult to say at this stage how likely you are to get an offer as it depends on a number of factors. How many places were set aside for DARE candidates on the course? How many people who applied for that course were DARE candidates and/or HEAR candidates? The answer to these questions will determine the likelihood of you being offered a place. You will have to wait until the 30th to find out I’m afraid.

Q: I got 358 in my Leaving Certificate. I want to do LLB hons, is there any college who can consider me from North or South?

A: In the north you apply for courses through the UCAS system. If you do not have an offer you are happy with currently, then your option is to look at a process called clearing, to see if any university up north has an unfilled place in Law. This link may be of some help: https://www.ucas.com/clearing-launch . In the south, there are courses in Law at less than 358, e.g. SETU on 310 last year. Again I am not sure if you have already made a CAO application or not. If not the equivalent to Clearing up north for down in the south is Vacant Places in the CAO system. These courses will go live on 31st August at midday. You could have a look here to see what courses are on offer. Some of the private colleges offer Law degrees below 358 and may allow you to apply directly at this stage, e.g. griffith College or DBS.

Q: Getting a fail in French – surely I should have received some grade?

A: Not sure of your question here. Every percentage in a subject results in a grade. If you get 0 to 29 per cent you get a grade 8. If you get 30 to 39 per cent, you will get a grade 7, etc. Something should appear beside your subject name even if you get a low percentage.

Q: What could have gone wrong my daughter basically got rated as FM for her LCVP after getting a distinction in her pre and what steps should we take now?

A: Unfortunately, getting a result in a mock paper does not automatically indicate a similar result in the Leaving Certificate. The marking of a mock paper and the marking of a LC paper could have been carried out very differently and hence the results can be different. Also the LC exam on the day might not have gone as well as your daughter hoped and hence a lower result than expected. I would suggest look at the component marks next Tuesday and possibly apply to view the script to get an idea of what went wrong. This may lead to an application to appeal the LC result.

Q: How can I appeal my results?

A: Subjects can be appealed through the Candidate Self Service Portal from 10am on Sunday 3 September until 5pm on Monday 4 September. it is advisable to view scripts before deciding to appeal results.

Q: Do they often reduce results on appeal? My son is one point short of his preferred course but was surprised at one of his results which is lower than expected. Would it be advisable to seek a review of that paper or would that run the risk of reducing his overall points score futher and making the chances of him getting the place more remote?

A: Results can go down as well as up in appeals, so it is very advisable to view scripts before deciding whether to appeal a subject or not. If the result obtained in the subject is very near the grade below the one achieved, one should be careful about making an appeal as the grade could drop and likewise if the result is near the next grade up then it may be a good idea to appeal the result.

Q: Will courses go up this year or stay around the same

A: It is always hard to predict but due to the fact that this year’s grades are being maintained at the same level as last year means points on the whole are likely to stay at last year’s high levels. For more see Brian Mooney’s article What impact will the 2023 results have on the CAO.

Q: I am planning to defer my course till september 2024. How will i notify the college or CAO?

A: An applicant who receives an offer of a place but wishes to defer for a year can only do so with the agreement of the the educational institution in question. You must immediately contact the admissions office of the college making the offer and outline the reasons for a deferral. You must remember to reapply to the CAO next year.

Q: Do LC results determine university admission, and do students have only a week or two from today to arrange housing and move-in details for the Fall semester?

A: Yes, for the most part LC results do determine university admission. Offers of places in university will be made next Wednesday and when students have their offer they will immediately start the difficult task of finding accommodation. Some might be lucky enough to get on campus accommodation others will have to start looking elsewhere for private accommodation options.