Leaving Cert results helpdesk: Our experts answer your questions

Welcome to the 2024 Irish Times Leaving Cert results and CAO helpdesk. The helpdesk, staffed by a team of guidance counsellors, is live from midday on Friday until 8pm to answer queries from students and their parents about their results, or about CAO offers, which will be issued next Wednesday.
The helpdesk will be open at the following times over the coming days:
Q: Which scripts are available on line and which are not? Specifically are classical studies, history, biology, English and maths online? Marcus
A: Classical Studies, History, Biology, English and Maths were all marked online and hence scripts will be viewed online. Brian
Q: Hello, if I decline my 6th choice and want my eighth and I have enough points for both can I just take my eighth choice? Cormac
A: Unfortunately not. If you are offered your 6th choice, then whether you accept this place or not, everything below this will disappear from your CAO listing, including your 8th preference. So you can always move up your list of preferences but never down. Brian
Q: If I do a FETQQI course aimed at a specific university for next year, can I also add other courses to be based on this years LC results? Rosemary?
A: Yes you can. PLC courses offer great opprotunities for work experience. This will help you when choosing CAO courses fro next year. Best of luck.
Q: Hello I have already qualified for DARE but I am wondering if there is a number of places allocated to DARE students is it organised by severity of disability how do they distinguish between DARE candidates? Do they pick the person with the most severe disability? Catherine
A: DARE has agreed to prioritise students with sensory or physical disabilities e.g.visual impairment, deaf/hard of hearing
Q: Hi there. My son did a first draft of CAO and applied only level 8 courses of 380 plus points. We forgot do change of mind and did not fill in any level 7 courses. He got 358 points today. The good news is he commences the aer lingus aircraft maintenance engineer apprenticeship in Shannon soon and he did very well getting one of the 24 places on offer for that. However if he does not like the apprenticeship and decides to go to full time college can he next year submit a new cao form using this years lc results and choose different list of courses? Deirdre B.
A: Congratulations on a great apprenticeship opportunity. Yes, he can make a CAO application for 2025 using points obtained from Leaving Cert in 2024. Best of luck.
Q: I have applied for 10 courses but my CAO points shows eligibility only for the 9th and the 10th course in the list. What other options are available to get a NFQ level 8 course? Dharshini
A: There may be some level 8 courses in the vacant places facility of the CAO. These go live on 29th August at noon. You can add these to your CAO account listing if you are interested in any of them. You could also look at the private independent colleges who have level 8 programmes that are direct entry. If you are happy to do a PLC first as part of the level 8 programme you could look at the National Tertiary Office courses. Have a look at nto.ie. Brian
Q: Hello, if I receive my second choice course offer on Wednesday and decide to appeal one subject hoping for an upgrade to qualify for my first choice but am downgraded to below my second choice points – am I correct that the offer I received will be cancelled? Anne
A: Technically, it could be withdrawn from you but it is unlikely that this would happen. I’ve never heard of a place being taken off an applicant. The best way to approach this is to view the script first and if it is near the lower grade then don’t appeal. If it is near the higher grade then go ahead and appeal. Brian
Q: If an appeal gives me enough points for my 1st choice course but it’s full and I am offered a place for 2025, can I still start the course I was offered for 2024 and decide later if I want the deferred place?
A: You can start with your first offer. You will be charged tuition fees of approx €8,000 by doing first year again if you were to change courses in 2025. You would also have to make a CAO application for 2025. Deirdre
Q: Can a place at UCD be deferred for a year while doing a PLC course? Rosemary
A: Yes. You must look for an appeal by contacting the admissions college. You will need to make a CAO application in 2025. Please read pg 32 on this link cao.ie/handbook/ Deirdre.
Q: If I am offered my no. 2 choice on CAO but wish to accept another course further down my list of choices and I have enough points for it what should I do? Meg
A: If you are offered your 2nd choice preference on your CAO, then everthing below this disappears from your CAO listing. So you can never move down. If you accept your 2nd preference (or not) you will remain in the running for your 1st preference and will be offered it if you become entitled to it. So in essence, you can move up but you can never move down. Brian
Q: How many points would DARE reduce for medicine? I’m on 699 and have DARE approval. Please advise. Dan
A: The number of reduced points will depend on the number of places on the course, the number of reserved DARE places and the points of other DARE eligible applicants. This varies from courses to course. Here is a link to DARE places in Trinity and Galway.
Q: I am DARE approved and put my 1st option 3 in line, when will I know if got it?
A: You will get an offer on Wednesday at 2 pm. It will not say DARE. A DARE offer is when you get an offer for the course but you did not get the required points. This means that you received a DARE place on this course.
Q: What is the lilely point increase for Humanities in DCU and Maynooth, UCD etc
A: Grades have been inflated by 7.5% for the last three years, I am hoping that we won’t see much fluctation on points for courses that can accommodate a large volume of students. CAO offers and cut-off points will be known at 2pm next Wednesday. Best wishes from all in here. Deirdre
Q: I have DARE approval and got approx 334, will I qualify for Business or Marketing courses in MTU Cork? Oisin
A: From looking at the MTU procedure it looks like you have a good chance of being made an offer. It states: MTU will consider applicants up to 50 points below the CAO cut-off points for the relevant programme. For a Level 8 programmes the applicant must achieve a minimum of 200 CAO points. It will ultimately depend on the number of DARE qualified applicants for these courses and their points. Brian
Q: What percentage of appeals are successful? Anne
A: In 2023, approx 23% received a succesful appeal and received an upgraded result.
Q: Is it likely that arts at Maynooth will increase in points significantly? Yusra
A: I would hope to see the points remain similiar to 2023. This course has the ability to accommodate a large number of students. Best of luck. We are here again in Wednesday. Get back on if you need more help. Deirdre
Q: My daughter sat the IB this year and got a score of 41. She also sat the HPAT and got results that put her in the 98th percentile. Converting these results to points indicates that her score is 745 – our concern is now that she will be at a disadvantage because she did not do the Irish leaving cert and I will not have had her grades inflated like other students despite applying as an Irish student. She ought in principle to have enough points to get her first choices – medicine – since her points are higher than the points requirements over the past few years – but she might miss out because of the Irish points inflation. Do you have any idea if there is any recourse regarding her results given the unusual circumstances of this years’ awarding of inflated points to Irish students? Cáit
A: The results in Ireland have been inflated to the same extent for the past 3 years at approximately 7.5%. So the cut off points you see for the last 3 years for courses has taken these inflated grades into account. With a points score of 745 it is highly likely that your daughter will be offered a place given Medicine was 733*, 738*, 735* in some of the Dublin universities last year, with the same inflated grades.
Q: If I accept a course and also apply for a recheck of a script and the result is downgraded, can the offer of the course I accepted be withdrawn? Aisling.
A: In theory yes. If you are no longer entitled to the place you accepted it could be withdrawn, however this is unlikely to happen. To prevent this scenario from occuring it is a good idea to view your script first. If you are borderline dropping to a lower grade then maybe it is best not to appeal. If you are borderline going up to the next higher grade then it would be a good idea to appeal. Brian
Q: Is 143 points bad? Keanna
A: There are lots of opportunities out there. CAO is one but not the only one. I recommend that you explore the PLC or the apprenticeship route. Here are twwo links apprenticeship.ie/ and plccourses.ie/further-education-colleges/ Deirdre
Q: When do the points change for courses and if I’m one point off the course points am I still eligible?
A: Points may change in round 1, 2 and 3. Points can go up or down depending on the demand for the course and the supply of places. I hope that I have answered your question. 2024 points in round on ewill be known at 2 pm, Wednesday August 28th.
Q: Hi, I have 699 points altogether including HPAT. I have DARE. Would I get into Medicine this year?
A: It is really hard to know really. In TCD there are 9 DARE places in Medicine. Competition for these places will be high. It all depends on the number of DARE qualified applicants for these places and the points that they got. In UCD there are 5 places and the lowest points that places were offered over the 2021-23 period was 721. It is a waiting game I’m afraid. Brian
Q: How likely is it that BESS in Trinity will increase on last years points with the artificial boost to grades again this year? John
A: This will depend on the demand for this course. The points achieved by interested candidates will also influence the 2024 points. Nobody will know 2024 points until Wednesday, Aug 28th at 2 pm. Deirdre
Q: If you accept your second choice in the first round of CAO offers but then are offered your first choice in the 2nd round of offers, are you able to accept your first choice now or no?
A: Yes, regardless of whether you accept a round one offer of a place or not, you will still remain in the running for a higher preference offer in the next rounds if you become entitled to one. So accepting something in round one does not mean it is all over. Brian
Q: What’s the appeal process like? Can we look at the exams before deciding to appeal? Celina
A: It is possible to appeal. I would advise you to view your script first. Candidates can view their marks for each subject and component on Tuesday August 27th. Application for viewing of scripts must be in by Wednesday August 28th by 8 pm. There is no charge for viewing of scripts. Deirdre
Q: I am accepted as a HEAR applicant. I got 325 points. Is that likely to be enough for law or law and business in TCD? Lisa
A: This looks unlikely unfortunately. In TCD they refer to a reduction of points in the order of 10 to 15% for places on courses. Given Law was 566 last year it is unlikely 325 would be sufficient.
Q: Do we get physical copies of our results anymore or is it only online? Nick
A: You can print out a physical copy of your provisional results from the online Student Portal today. Your final results are generally sent to your school in hard copy format but that won’t be for a long time after the whole process is finished. Brian
Q: When can I view my script to appeal? Tara
A: The application to view scripts opens at 5pm on Tuesday 27th August through the Student Self Service Portal. Brian
Q: Will it be clear on Monday if the points for certain courses have gone up? Kathy
A: We won’t know for sure what will happen to the points of courses until Wednesday 28th when first round offers are published at 2pm. Brian
Q: Hi, If I didn’t receive enough points for my number 1 course but I am eligible for HEAR but I also got 2 less points than I need to be considered for HEAR, is there still a chance I can get HEAR? Elizabeth
A: You must meet the minimum HEAR requirements in order to be considered for HEAR places. Please see the link and look at question 12 https://accesscollege.ie/hear/faqs/
Q: Can my daughter get offered a level 8 and a level 7 course? Anita
A: Yes. She can only accept one of the offers. The best of luck. Deirdre
Q: Can I apply for a course that I did not put on my CAO after receiving my Leaving Cert results? Sharon
A: The only courses that can be added to your CAO application at this stage are courses that appear on the Vacant Place list on the CAO website. This list will go live on the 29th August at noon. Brian
Q: My daughter has qualified for the DARE scheme . Can you tell me what this means for her as she didn’t receive the points for the courses she has applied do on her CAO. Avril
A: The majority of Higher Education colleges participate in DARE. Many reserve a number of course places for DARE applicants. All DARE applicants then compete for the reserved places. Please click on link for more information on DARE accesscollege.ie/dare/ Deirdre
Q: My daughter is short 16 points for her course, just wondering are the points going to go down this year? Sharon
A: Points are determined by supply and demand for the course and course places. A change in either factors affects points. Unfortunately, I have no way of accessing this information. CAO will release 2024 points at 2 pm next Wednesday. I hope that things work out. Deirdre
Q: Can I still apply for higher education? Abdul
A: With the CAO applications are closed now. However, there is a facility where left over places on courses will be filled called Vacant Places. If you see a course in the vacant place list that you would like to apply for you can make an application for it. Vacant place courses are the only courses you can apply for at this stage. The Vacant Place facility opens on 29th August at 12 noon. Brian
Q: My daughter is hoping to do veterinary science in ucd. She attained 590 points. Do you think this will be enough for her to gain a place. She is probably going to have 2 subjects rechecked. Niamh
A: The cut off points for last year in Veterinary Medicine were 589 so I think she stands a good chance of being offered a place. Unfortunately it is a waiting game until next Wednesday to know for sure. It is a good idea to get the rechecks if you think there is any chance of an upgrade. Brian
Q: What happens if you appeal a subject which ends up increasing your grades that would meet the requirements for a course but the course is already full. Aoife
A: If the course is full and the college in question cannot offer you a place then they must offer you a deferred place for the following year.
Q: If I appeal a subject and it upgrades my results and gives me the required points for my course will I still be allowed enter that course. The estimated date for appeal results is the end of September whereas college courses start early September. Aaron
A: You will be offered this course when and if you meet the points and minimum requirements. You can choose to accept and start this course in late September. You could also defer your place and start in early Sept 2025. The choice will be yours. Best of luck. Deirdre
Q: Can I ask for my paper to be recorrected, and where I can ask? Janet
A: You can ask for an appeal of your grade in your subjects. This is done through your Student Self Service Portal on examinations.ie. Applications for appeals open on Sunday 1st at 10am and closes on Monday 2nd at 5pm. You can also apply to view your paper first if you wish, this opens on Tuesday 27th at 5pm. Brian
Q: Do I have enough points to submit UCC Arts (CK101) I got 409 in the Leaving Cert.
A: I am confident that you will receive an offer for CK101 in round one on Wednesday. The final round points in 2023 for this course was 300. It is unlikely that this course will increase by 100 points. The best of luck. Round 1 cut off points 2024 will be released on Wednesday August 25th at 2pm. Deirdre
Q: My daughter has applied for DN430 in UCD where the points range 2024 was 484-602. Will 508 be sufficient to gain access this year? Orla
A: The cut off points for this course last year in 2023 entry was 484. With 508 points it is very likely that your daughter will be eligible for an offer of a place on this course. Brian
Q: There is an asterisk next to one of my results in home ec what does this mean? Piotr
A: I would advise you to contact your school. The asterisk indicates that you were absent on exam day of one component. Please click on this link for more details causewaycs.ie/page/Leaving-Cert-2024-update/168316/Index.html. Deirdre
Q: Hi, when can students view their exam scripts to assess same before deciding on an exam appeal? Dan
A: The application to view scripts opens at 5pm on Tuesday 27th August through the Student Self Service Portal. Brian
Q: Three of the scores are crazy off. If my son wins the appeal, what is the process if he’s already in another course? Tara
A: Very briefly, if your son appeals and3 of the scores are crazy off. If my son wins the appeal, what is the process if he’s already in another course? gets some upgrades then essentially his new points score is backdated to round one offers day and the question is asked what would she have been entitled to with the increased points. If that course can offer a place to start at that time it will be offered in the final round, regardless of whether he has accepted and started another course. Brian
Q: I got 349 points in my leaving cert but needed 350 to get into my course, though the points are changing I just want to be sure, How would I be able to get 1 point.
A: Your points will only change if you appeal and your appeal is successful. Please look at other pathwyas into this course. Points may fall but nobocy will know until next Wednesday when CAO publish the points for 2024. I wish you the best of luck. Deirdre.
Q: What time does the leaving cert results online close at?
A: My understanding is it doesn’t close, it remains open for you to log in.
Q: My daughter is just 2 points short off her first choice , what is her best option here?
A: This course may or may not come down in round 2. In the meantime you could look at the possibility of doing a PLC that gives one the opportunity to enter into the course of your first choice. Doing a PLC would allow your daughter gain work experience and get a general feel of subjects/ modules within that particular area. This would ensure that she likes the subject area before entering into a four year programme.
Q: Is there anything that can be done with 310 points or is it best to repeat? Sam
A: Yes. You have many options. Colleges of Further Education are a great place to start learning in your area of interest. You can use the grades you receive on this course to apply to college in 2025. You apply directly to a college of further education. They offer a variety of different courses and many offer you the opportunity to gain work experience as part of the course. PLC students are also eligible for SUSI grant. Apprenticeships have also become very popular. Tertiary degrees, the number of tertiary programmes have also expanded. Please look at the following link https://nto.hea.ie. Please get back on if you would like more information.
Q: Does the CAO points calculator include additional points you receive for sitting you LC as Gaeilge and bonus points for Higher Maths? Michelle
A: Yes. The grade you get in Irish takes into account you sat the LC through Irish and the CAO will work with this grade. In relation to Maths, if you get over 40% in Higher Level Maths (H6 or above) and maths is in your top 6 subjects then the CAO will award the 25 bonus points.
Q: Do you think 577 points will be enough for TR035 course? Is there any risk the points can go up to 2021-2022 levels which is 590-593? Anne.
A: This course was 554 pts in final round last year. I would be confident that your 577 points will secure you entry given that you meet subject requirement etc. However, I cannot be certain until Wednesday 25th when CAO release offers for 2024. Deirdre
Q: If a course requires specific subjects for entry, do you have to count them for points or just meet the requirements? Mum
A: The CAO firstly checks to see if an applicant meets the course entry requirements. If the applicant meets the requirements, then the computer will calculate the applicant’s points from their 6 best subjects. These don’t necessarily have to be the subjects that met the entry requirements. Brian
Q: My Daughter is eligible for the DARE scheme. She got 521 points vs. 541 points in 2023 for her first choice course in Trinity. Are the allocated DARE spaces on any given course allocated based on the next highest points of the DARE eligible applicants? Barry.
A: Yes. DARE applicants are competing against other DARE applicants for the qouta of DARE places. Please view link regarding Trinity and DARE allocation tcd.ie/study/apply/alternative-paths-to-trinity/
Q: Sat the Leaving Cert in 2022 and achieved 555 points. Have reapplied to CAO this year in order to change course. Will my points be adjusted by 7.5% (on average). Brendan
A: No. I am afraid not. Deirdre
Q: If I receive and accept an offer in Round 1 and get a higher preference offer in Round 2 in a different college can I accept it instead of Round 1? Liz
A: Yes and this can be done in any furtehr rounds. Best of luck. Deirdre
Q: I did better than expected and I regret not putting another course as my top choice. Is there anything I can do now to change my first choice? Claire
A: The CAO’s Available Places are vacanies on courses for which there were insufficient applicants before Round 1 offers. Available Places will be published on the CAO’s website. The facility opens at noon on August 29th and you can apply for a course free of charge. You could also look at Further Education (PLC) and choose one that has potential for you to enter into year one of your first choice course next year. Please do get back on if you need more support. Glad to help. Deirdre
Q: When and how can I get my exact exam result score per subject?
A: Exact exam results will be made avaialble to you through your self portal on Tuesday 27th August at 12 noon.
Q: If I didn’t get enough points for my number one course can my HEAR application still help me get it because i was told by the CAO that I am eligible. Elizabeth
A: If you have qualified for HEAR then that will be factored into each of your course choices and a determination will be made on your elligibility for those courses. Each college has its own procedures for dealing with HEAR applications. If you are deemed eligible for your first preference you will be offered this course. Remember the points required for a course by a HEAR elligible candidate are often less than the normal cut off points for a course.
Q: When are the appeal results out? Is it on one day? Norma
A: Friday, September 27th at 11 am.
Q: Two subjects said I was absent for components but I attended. Kian
A: Please contact the State Examinations Commission on 0906 442700. Deirdre
Q: If I am offered my 2nd preference but decline it because I no longer want to study that course, could I be offered my 1st preference in Round 2 – will I receive anything because I don’t accept in Round 1?
A: Yes you could be offered your first choice in Round 2 regardless of what you do with today’s offer. You will receive an offer in Round 2 if you meet the points and course requirements for your first choice. Best of luck.
Q: What happens to the leaving cert student in 2025? Will they get bumper grades? Tiffany.
A: Grade inflation is likely to be in the region of 5.5 per cent for the class of 2025. The grade inflation given this year was 7.5 per cent. Deirdre
Q: If I fail 2 subjects in the leaving cert (and I am not interested in college) do I have to rsit all the exams to pass Leaving Certificate? Caroline
A: No you did not fail the Leaving Certificate. You only need to pass six/five subjects for college matriculation requirements and course specific requirements. Best of look on your new journey. Please get back on if you would like more support. Deirdre
Q: I’m looking at studying at University in Ireland next year. Currently I reside in Perth Australia. How should I apply and go about looking at my options? Ruairi
A: A non EU student should contact the admissions office of the college of interest. They will advise you on whether you should apply directly to them or via the CAO. EU students apply directly to the CAO system. Please find teh link to useful resources where you can look up colleges and courses. cao.ie/courses.php
Q: How does UCAS know if I’ve met the grades to meet my conditional offer? Do I need to phone admissions of the relevant university to let them know as an ROI applicant? Dara.
A: The State Exams Commission sent a copy of the LC results to UCAS. The British colleges can then get the results for applicants from UCAS. There is nothing stopping you from emailing admissions in the college you are hoping to enter and giving them your grades but it is not necessary. Brian
Q: I sat A levels and got A*AA. These grades would be considered excellent, and I am not aware of any course which would require higher grades in the UK. Grades in the North went down significantly this year as there was a return to 2019 grade thresholds. On the UCD website, grades for courses are given but when I emailed them, they said that places would be allocated on the basis of points. Do you know which system will be used (grades or converted points) and whether there will be any recognition of the reduction in grades in the North? I am a “*”/4 points short of the grade asked for the Economics and Finance course. I also have an accepted DARE application. Diarmuid
A: Information relating to UK grades and resulting points can be found at this location ucd.ie/registry/ In relation to recognition of the reduction in grades in NI, I am not sure, it would be best to speak to admissions in UCD. Brian