Every year families ask the same question: how exactly are Leaving Cert points worked out? Here is the short version.
Your six best subjects count
You usually sit seven subjects, sometimes more. For CAO points, only your best six results count. One weaker subject does not ruin your total.
Points for each grade
Higher Level grades run from H1 to H8, and Ordinary Level grades from O1 to O8. At Higher Level, an H1 is worth 100 points, an H2 88, an H3 77, an H4 66, an H5 56, an H6 46 and an H7 37. At Ordinary Level, an O1 is worth 56 points, an O2 46, an O3 37, an O4 28, an O5 20 and an O6 12. H8 and O7 or O8 get no points.
The Higher Maths bonus
If you take Higher Level Maths and get an H6 or above, you get 25 extra points on your Maths result. That is why many students push for Higher Maths, and why a few extra marks around the H6 line matter so much.
Points are not the only requirement
Many courses also have minimum entry requirements: for example a particular grade in Maths, Irish, English or a science. Always check the course page on the college website or cao.ie, not just last year's points.
Where extra help makes the biggest difference
Look for the subjects where a small improvement moves you up a full grade, or keeps a subject in your best six. Targeted grinds in one or two subjects often add more points than spreading effort across all seven.
On GrindSpot you can find a Leaving Cert tutor for any subject, online or near you.
Always check cao.ie for the official, up-to-date scale and course requirements.
