The Points System, Explained
The single most misunderstood part of the CAO. Here’s how the arithmetic actually works — and how to read the number colleges talk about.
Six subjects. Your six best. One number.
Your CAO points are calculated from your best six subjects in the Leaving Cert. Each grade carries a points value; add the six highest and that’s your application score. Most courses rank applicants on exactly this number.
The maximum before any bonus is 600 points (6 × 100). With the Higher Level Maths bonus added, the true ceiling is 625.
Every subject is normally taken at Higher Level (H) or Ordinary Level (O), and the two scales score very differently. A “pass” at higher level usually beats a top mark at ordinary — but each student’s situation is different, so treat “higher is always better” with caution and talk it through with your teacher.
Higher Level scale
| Grade | Points |
|---|---|
| H1 | 100 |
| H2 | 88 |
| H3 | 77 |
| H4 | 66 |
| H5 | 56 |
| H6 | 46 |
| H7 | 37 |
| H8 | 0 |
Ordinary Level scale
| Grade | Points |
|---|---|
| O1 | 56 |
| O2 | 46 |
| O3 | 37 |
| O4 | 28 |
| O5 | 20 |
| O6 | 12 |
| O7 | 0 |
| O8 | 0 |
Bonus maths points
Sitting Higher Level Mathematics earns 25 bonus points for a grade of H6 or above. This is added on top of your six counted subjects — so the absolute maximum is 625, not 600.
How colleges decide their “points”
A course’s points figure is not set in advance. The points of the lowest-scoring applicant offered a place become that year’s entry points. That’s why:
- Points can rise or fall from year to year based on demand and places.
- A particular course’s “625” today might be “601” next year — and vice versa.
- Above the threshold doesn’t guarantee a place, but hitting it is the realistic target.
Check a course’s recent entry points (last 2–3 years) on CareersPortal ↗ or the college’s own pages, and build a list of your courses in order of preference.
Also worth knowing
- Level 8 vs Level 7 vs Level 6: Level 8 is a major / honours-degree programme (typically 4 years), Level 7 an ordinary degree (3 years), Level 6 a higher certificate (2 years). The same subjects are offered at different levels by different colleges — often an excellent plan B with far lower entry points.
- PLC courses are not on the CAO: Post-Leaving Cert courses have their own separate application to the college (via fetchcourses.ie ↗).
- Repeating: If results fall short, options include repeat Leaving Cert, a PLC progression route, or mature entry later — there are many options and routes onto your chosen career.
Want to know what your points realistically reach?
Bring your predicted grades and I’ll help you build a shortlist that plays to your strengths — not just at the course with the highest number.