Welcome to The Irish Times CAO Helpdesk for 2026. Using the form below, you can submit any questions you have about this year’s process, from points and Leaving Cert results, to appeals, deferrals and more.
Our education experts Deirdre Garrett and Brian Howard will be answering your questions from 11am today to give you quick and clear feedback as you navigate college offers, choices and deciding your next steps over the coming days. You can read their answers below.
How long does the appeal process take and what is the correct procedure? - Francesca
The State Examinations Commission will release results of appeals to students via their CSSP on Friday September 25th. CAO will make offers to successful candidates in round 5 on Tuesday September 29th. One must make an application for an appeal. This is done through CSSP from 10am on Sunday August 30th to 5pm on August 31st. - Deirdre
Will the CAO points for courses be reduced in line with the grading system? - Clare
If you mean in line with the reduced PMA, then logic would lead you to believe that the points will drop. However, there are other variables at play also, e.g. increased numbers applying through the CAO, applicants with points from previous years, etc. So, we are hoping for a move downwards but this is not guaranteed across the board. - Brian
How much of an indicator are last year’s points requirements?
If you achieved the points that meet the CAO points for last year, is there a strong chance you will be offered your course next week?
Yes, on average I would say yes, but there will always be exceptions and we don’t know where they will arise. I do think however you are in a good position. - Brian
444 points. Hoping for Home Economics and Biology teaching in St Angela’s. Last year points were 453. Do I have any chance? - Margret
This is a popular course. No way of knowing until CAO release round 1 offers on Wednesday. PLC entry route onto this programme and other Home Ec degree courses might be an option if the above doesn’t go your way. Wishing you the best of luck. - Deirdre
What are points expected to be for primary teaching in St Pat’s? - Olive
We have no information to suggest there will be any major changes from last year. It varied from 473 to 506 last year.
My son got more than enough points for his third choice but not his first two. If he gets a place in round 1 of his third choice and accepts it, but in round 2 or round 3 gets offered either of the higher preferences, can he still accept them? - Clare
The answer is yes. So go ahead and accept this offer on Wednesday. He can move to a new course if he gets offers in further rounds. - Deirdre
I have primary teaching in Mary Immaculate College as first choice but only got 456 points. I put arts as my second choice. Is it still possible I might get teaching in other rounds or should I just come to terms with the fact I’ll have to go the long route? - Michelle
You may if points come down. But you would be looking for quite a drop. I am not convinced that this will happen as primary teaching is always a popular choice. However, no one will know points for CAO 2026 courses until Wednesday. The best of luck and well done on doing so well. - Deirdre
My son got 531 points and is hoping for Engineering in TCD. It jumped points massively last year; any indications it might drop this year? - Mary
Will depend on the demand and the points gained by interested parties. This is a very popular course and I can’t imagine that points will drop that much. However, no one will know points for CAO 2026 courses until Wednesday. The best of luck and well done on doing so well. - Deirdre
625 points and 171 HPAT, what are the chances of Medicine? - Anon
For HPAT, 625 LC points converts to 565 points, and adding 171 from HPAT gives 736, which would give you a very good chance for Galway, Cork and RCSI. - Brian
My daughter made the CAO list and didn’t consider the distance to the college. She will probably get an offer for Limerick instead of Dún Laoghaire, because Limerick is first on her list. Is there any chance to decline Limerick offer and get an offer on the second round for IADT? - Rhiannon
CAO will make you an offer of the highest preference course on your list that you meet requirements and cut off points for. All courses that lie below this offer will become obsolete. Hence if Limerick is above Dún Laoghaire, your daughter getting offered Limerick will result in Dún Laoghaire becoming obsolete. Only courses that lie above offers made in round one can be offered in future rounds. - Deirdre
What to do if you no longer want to take your first choice?
I have gotten the points for my first choice but I no longer want to do that course. Is there anything I could do to get my second choice? - Ella
The only way you can get at the second choice is if it appears in vacant places and you can insert it higher than your first preference. If it does not appear here then you will not be able to move down below your first preference. - Brian
Hi, my son got 444 LC points today. He is hoping to be offered his eighth CAO option on the Level 8 list, which is 436 points in TUD. Do you think he will get the offer as he’s eight points above the requirement currently? Thanks for the great insight. - Robert
I would be confident. However, no one will know until after 2pm on Wednesday. But remain positive. - Deirdre
How long is a CAO appeal? - Paula
Results of the appeal process are expected to be out on September 25th if at all possible. This will depend on the number of appeal applications. - Brian
I got 665 points and would like to do Radiation Therapy in TCD. Will this be enough? - Kevin
How did you get 665 points? Points for Radiation Therapy last year was 534 so if that was a typo and you got 565 you should be well clear for an offer. - Brian
I want to check the result of my Maths exam before I appeal. How would I get my script back to check how close I was to getting a higher grade? - Filip
Results will be available on Tuesday via your CSSP. You can then apply to review your script. Written scirpts marked on paper can be viewed at your school. Scripts marked online cn be assessed on your portal. You can then decide on whether to appeal your results or not. - Deirdre
Will I get a course since I got 30 points less than my last CAO option? Can I apply for a PLC after results? - Niranjan
No way of knowing until points are released on Wednesday after 2pm. You can apply for a PLC now. Go online to the relevant college. There should be an online application option. Get back on if you need further help. - Deirdre
My points are 464 and the course I want last year was 474. Do I have any chance? Thurles Home Economics and Business teaching degree. - Jessica
Not sure it will go down that far considering it was 531 in 2024 and 509 in 2023. We will have to wait and see but it might be a long shot. - Brian
If I am looking to have two of my results reassessed, that cannot happen until Tuesday and the [offers] are out Wednesday. if there is a change to my actual points received as a result of the recheck how will that work with CAO offers? Thank you. - Orla
The State Examinations Commission will notify the CAO. The CAO will then make you an offer in the next round, e.g. if exam marks were added up incorrectly, this would be rectified by round 2, Monday 7th September. If it was from a successful appeal, the CAO will make offers on Tuesday, Sept 29th. - Deirdre
With 462 points, how likely is it to get a primary teaching course? - Sally
I would say unlikely but cannot say for definite. You seem to be a good few points short depending on where you have applied. - Brian
I cleared my first choice course by 38 points based on last year’s offers. Is it likely that my course will jump to more than 38 points compared to last year? - Aibas
I would say it is unlikely but cannot say for definite. It can happen but not very often. - Brian
My son would ultimately like to do Dentistry but there are very few places for older students. Does it matter what undergraduate course he does and what do they look for in students applying as older students? - Brenda
I would encourage a course that is heavy in Science, Chemistry and either Physics or Biology. There is no graduate dentistry programme in Ireland. You may have to look abroad for this option. Read here. - Deirdre
My son might appeal some of his results. If he was successful, I know he would get amended results at the end of September. Would he then have to wait to apply next year? Or could he secure a place this year? Thanks. - Ros
If he gets upgraded, essentially what happens is the system will go back to round one and ask what would he have been entitled to then with his increased grades. Whatever the answer to this is must be offered to him, either as an offer there and then, or, if the college cannot facilitate this, then he must be offered it as a deferred place the following year. - Brian
What PLC courses are available to students who want to do CK402 (Biological and Chemical Sciences at UCC) or CK406 (Chemical Sciences at UCC), and what are the chances of getting on these courses from there as I see some students got all distinctions in PLC and still did not get a university place as there are so few for PLC courses? - Brenda
Click here - when you click on this link you will notice that there are a few PLC courses compatible with entry into CK 402. CK406 compatible courses are here. PLC places may come down to random selection. - Deirdre
I hope to do a BA in Criminal Justice in Limerick LM028 which was 387 points last year. I got 393 points. I have no accommodation booked - what are my chances of getting a CAO offer? - Colin
You have a realistic chance of getting an offer. Nobody will know the points for CAO 2026 courses until Wednesday. - Deirdre
How do I view my scripts? - C
You log in to the Candidate Self Service Portal (CSSP) on www.examinations.ie and apply to view your scripts by 5pm on Tuesday August 26th. Full details on the viewing and appeals procedure are in the Candidate Information Guide 2 on the SEC website. - Brian
If I got shortlisted for a CAO points scholarship scheme, it says it will be finalised at round 1 CAO offers. Will I know before or after the options? Will I accept my 3rd/4th choice first? - Sean
If you get an offer for a course, yet don’t have the necessary CAO points, then you obviously got it via scholarship. CAO 2026 points will be issued after 2pm on Wednesday. I recommend that you accept an offer on Wednesday. You may get higher preference courses in future rounds. You would then have the choice to stay with your original (first offer) or move to your newest offer (in later rounds). - Deirdre
Appealing a result in Music
My daughter is really disappointed with a H3 result in Music as she is a talented musician and expected a H1. How does the appeal process work for music, as there is not a recording of her practical exam which covers 50 per cent of her overall grade? She was very happy with her practical exam. - Mary
Music is the only subject where the practical component cannot and does not go through the appeal process. This mark will not be changed. - Deirdre
I got 522 points with seven honours subjects. I want Commerce in UCD or an arts course in economics and social science. What are my chances in CAO? - Pat
You can only use six subjects when calculating CAO points. Commerce is a popular course so I can’t see it dropping that much. Points for 2026 will not be known for any course until 2 pm on Wednesday. Unfortunately it is a waiting game until then. - Deirdre
I got 399 points but wanted 400 points for Maynooth’s Marketing course. How likely is it that the 400 points required will come down? - Ruth
I would suggest you have a good chance it might come down by one point given the drop in Post-Marking Adjustment (PMA), but we have no way of knowing for definite. I presume you have MH101 down in which you can do Marketing as a subject and transfer to MH404 if you are successful in your first year exams. - Brian
Are the English paper results below what they were last year?
According to today’s Irish Times, the percent of H1 results in English has fallen from 5 per cent last year to 4.3 per cent this year.
Can you transfer to your first-choice, third-level course after studying for a year elsewhere?
Hi, I got 452 points which is not enough for DC117 (BSc in Aviation Management at DCU) but should be enough for TU903 (Business & Management at TU Dublin). Would there be an option of completing one year in the TUD course and jumping across to the DCU course? How does it work with changing courses in college? - Evan
Transfers are not very straightforward and don’t happen a huge amount. If you are talking about transferring at the end of year one in TU903 into year two of DC117, I think this could be a long shot. First of all there would need to be space in DC117, and if there is, there would have to be a huge overlap in the content of both courses in first year. Then it would be up to the head of the course DC117 to make a call on whether they felt it were possible, and if you were successful in your application. I would never say never but in my opinion there would only be a very slim chance of this. - Brian
I got 498 points. I am hoping for DC206 (Physical Education with Mathematics) which was 499 points last year. With grade inflation decreasing and increased CAO applications, do you think I’ll get the course? - Frankie
It’s too hard to say. This won’t be known by anyone until offers are out at 2pm on Wednesday. Stay positive and enjoy having done so well. - Deirdre
Can you accept a Level 7 course and subsequently be offered a place on a Level 8?
If my daughter only gets offered a Level 7 course in round 1 and she accepts it, can she still be offered a level 8 in subsequent rounds? Thank you! - Anon
Yes. An offer of a level 8 will be made if your daughter meets entry requirements and has the necessary points in future rounds, regardless of whether she accepts a course from her Level 6/7 list. - Deirdre
How to proceed with a deferral
I didn’t get the results I wanted. I think I have enough for one Level 8 course that I have on my CAO. If I get that offer, can I defer it and do a PLC for the year? Also, if I defer and want to change to another course next year, will I be able to do that on the CAO? - Niamh
So, deferrals are not definite. You must contact the college when you get your offer and ask for a deferral. One of the conditions of the deferral is that you only apply for that course the following year, and you pick up the course. However, if you put any other course on the new CAO application, then you are in open competition again and you loose your deferred place, so be careful how you proceed with this. - Brian
Hello, my son got 251 points. He will be doing a PLC course but he feels this is a very low point score. Are there courses that do take points at the lower end of the scale? - Lucy
Yes. Level 6 and Level 7 courses tend to require lower cut off points for entry. Level 8 is the highest qualification level that one can enter after Leaving Cert. Level 6/7 tend to be shorter in duration, requiring less points. They are often used as a scenic route/back door into a level 8. - Deirdre
Can you miss out on CAO offers altogether?
Hi, what if all the courses in the CAO list require higher points than I obtained? Will I still have offers? - Anissa
CAO will only make offers to candidates who meet the necessary entry requirements and CAO cut off points. One may not receive a level 8 offer but could receive an offer from their level 6/7 list. Many other options exist, such as a Post Leaving Cert course (PLC), apprenticeship, tertiary course, etc. Have a listen to this. - Deirdre
I cleared my course in Trinity College Dublin (TCD) by two points based on last year’s CAO offers. Is there a good chance that I will get it this year? - Siobhan
Yes, I would say you are in with a good chance, but as you know, until you get that offer there is no way of knowing for definite. - Brian
My son got an O6 in maths, but it says unsuccessful in the explanations code, but it is 40-49%. Did he pass Maths for the LC? - Colette
An O6 in Maths is a pass grade. I don’t have enough information about this to know what the ‘unsuccessful’ is about. Did your son sit both papers? Could he have received all his marks from one paper? Ultimately, he has an O6 which is a pass grade in Maths. I would suggest next Tuesday logging into the student portal and looking at the breakdown of marks in his Maths and this might shed light on what is going on. - Brian
How do you appeal a result? - Carol Ann
Applying to view a script is optional. Applications to appeal results open at 10am on Sunday 30th August. This can be done online through your CSSP. Applications to appeal results will close at 5pm on Monday August 31st.
I got 433 points today, but I want to do teaching in Mary Immaculate College which is 444. Will I get it? - Eleanor
My opinion would be that it won’t drop that much. However, we won’t know until CAO offers are made at 2pm on Wednesday. - Deirdre
I got 601 points and want to do Pharmacy at University College Cork (UCC), which was 602 last year. Do you think I will get it? - Lucy
There is no way of knowing for sure, however there are a lot of new pharmacy courses in the system this year, so that might help alleviate the points required in the existing courses. Fingers crossed you’ll make it. - Brian
Will CAO points for medicine go down? - Pal
There’s no way of knowing I’m afraid, it’s just wait and see next Wednesday. Best of luck. - Brian
Accessing CAO points for students that completed their exams abroad
My daughter is waiting for CAO offers as a student who completed her exams in Italy. We submitted all necessary documentation, but we can’t seem to find out how many CAO points her results translate to. She has applied to IADT Dunlaoghaire for a portfolio combined points course. Can you give me an idea of where to find this information? - Geraldine
Would this be useful to you? International entry requirements guidelines. Get back in touch if you need more information. I would advise you to contact the college. - Deirdre
I’m just slightly under the points for Business, Economics and Social Studies (BESS) in Trinity, and Commerce in UCD. Should I go to DCU or just get comfortable on the dole while I still have time? - Alastair
If you get offered a Business course in DCU, that is a very good offer and you should definitively carefully consider accepting this. Go online and do a bit of research into the course at this stage. - Brian
Lower points for a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Galway?
Will Arts in University of Galway (UG) come down in points this year? - Louise
It is too hard to know. It is a popular course; for example, GY101 saw a big jump in 2025. We will have to be patient and wait until Wednesday at 2pm. - Deirdre
My son is very keen on studying law. He had DCU on his list which is about 496 points, and he has received 476 points. He is eligible for DARE because of ADHD and dyspraxia- how much does DARE generally compensate? - Meadhbh
DCU reserves 5 per cent of places on programmes for eligible DARE applicants. Some programmes with *Restricted Entry are excluded from DARE. DARE operates on a priority system, generally giving priority to those with sensory or physical needs. Available places are offered to those students ranked highest by the points scale and points reduction is impacted by a demand for a programme and also by how many DARE places they have on a course. - Deirdre
How likely is a significant rise in points requirements?
Hi, my son got about 25 points more than last year’s requirement for his first choice course. How likely do you think he is to get it? Would points rise by more than 25 points? It seems like it would be a very large increase. - Fiadh
I cannot say for definite as CAO course points will not be known until 2pm on Wednesday. Stay confident. I would be confident. A rise of 25 points could happen, but it is more unlikely than likely. - Deirdre
Is it worthwhile appealing results?
How does the appeals process work? I want to appeal some results but I’m not sure if it’s worth going through all that trouble… - Joshua
View your script first. This will help you make your mind up regarding as to whether to appeal or not. Please make yourself aware of important dates for viewing of scripts and appeals here - Deirdre
Difficulty accessing PLC website
The plc website is down. How can I sign up for some courses? - Oscar
Search colleges of further education that are near you. You should be able to make an online application to one that interests you. Try look to see what the PLC requirement is for your desired third level course. - Deirdre
Hi, my son was 10 points short of the predicted points for architecture. What can he do? - Fiona
Architecture is on offer at six colleges of higher education. Some of these take students from PLC/QQI courses. I would advise you to review CAO Architectural level 8 courses and PLC options. - Deirdre
Will 489 points get me marketing in DCU? - Brid
2025 final round points for this course were 487. We have no indication of points for CAO courses in 2026. We won’t know until 2pm on Wednesday. - Deirdre
I know it’s hard to tell, but do you think points for primary school teaching will fall even a small bit? - Karen
Unfortunately not, we have no indication that primary points are going to change one way or the other, it’s just a waiting game until next Wednesday. - Brian
I got 414 points and applied for DN520 Arts in UCD. What are the chances of getting this course? Last year it was 420 points. - Liam
This course saw a one-point increase in 2025. It is a popular course and UCD is a demanded location. Points can fall. Nobody will know CAO 2026 points until 2pm on Wednesday. - Deirdre
Will points for Veterinary Medicine drop?
I am hoping to study Veterinary Medicine and have applied to the available programmes at UCD, ATU and SETU. Considering the lower overall Leaving Certificate results this year, and the introduction of new veterinary programmes, do you have any indication of the likely 2026 CAO points for these courses? - Anna
Unfortunately not. We are all anxiously waiting to see the effect of the two new veterinary courses on Veterinary Medicine in general this year, what the points will be in the new courses, and whether will this have an effect on the existing UCD course. - Brian
My son got 544 points, and is Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) eligible. Realistically, could he get a place on the Business, Economics and Social Studies (BESS) course in Trinity College Dublin? - Rachel
Trinity College Dublin reserves 25 per cent of places on every course for students with disabilities (DARE), students from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds (HEAR), and mature students. On courses with a quota of more than 40 places, approximately 8 per cent are DARE places, on smaller courses there may be only one or two places. Your son will be competing with other DARE students for these places. It will very much depend on the demand for DARE places and the points obtained by other DARE candidates. - Deirdre
How do I know which papers are going to be available online and which ones in original format? Does it vary per subject? - Sara
All subjects that were marked online will generally be available to view online in the CSSP. A list of these subjects is available in Appendix 2 at the back of the Candidate Information Guide 2 on www.examinations.ie. - Brian
On average, what is the highest that points for any particular course could rise by? - Jessie
There is no way of knowing this really. - Brian
Leaving Cert appeals process explained
My daughter would like to have two subjects rechecked. If she gets upgraded, how does this work in terms of CAO offers? - Elaine
The CAO will make an offer once the candidate satisfies the minimum entry requirements and the necessary cut off points. The State Examinations Commission will liaise with the CAO on appeal results. The CAO will then update offers, if eligible, via CAO account. This will be in round 5. Round 5 offers will be available from 10am on Tuesday, 29th Sept. - Deirdre
How can I see my results? - Philip
You can log into the Candidate Self Service Portal (CSSP) - 2026 using your exam number and password on www.examinations.ie. Or, if you were in a school last year, you can go into your school to pick up a provisional copy of your results there. - Brian
What happens if grades are upgraded on appeal?
If grades are upgraded on appeal and the student then reaches the points criteria for a course, will they automatically be offered the place for the current year post appeal? - Claire
CAO will make an offer if places are still available on the course in question. The candidate can choose to enter into this course subject to availability or defer their place to September 2027. - Deirdre
How and when can I review my marked paper and see how it was graded? - Adam
The breakdown of results of oral/aural/practical components and exact marks are available from 12 noon on Tuesday Aug 25th. One can access this using their Candidate Self Service Portal (CSSP). - Deirdre
My son has Primary School Teaching down for St Pat’s in DCU, and is four points over last years requirements. Do you feel points are likely to go up, and if so, by how much? - Joanne
The overall sense is that points should maybe drop a little since the Post-Marking Adjustment (PMA) has dropped from 5.8 per cent last year to 4 per cent this year, so that is positive. However, the overall numbers sitting the LC this year are up considerably, and there are 20,000 CAO applicants this year who sat their LC in a previous year, so there is a lot of competition. Unfortunately, there is no way of saying definitively what courses will go up or down, but having four points over last year is a good position to be in, so fingers crossed. - Brian
Hi, my child got way lower points than expected. He got much higher in mocks and all of his exams - how can this happen? - Jan
Your child may still get offered a course of interest on Wednesday. Breakdown of results and exact marks are available at 12 noon on Tuesday, Aug 25th. I reccommend that you apply to view your scripts. You can appeal results if you are still not happy. - Deirdre
Is it too late to apply for an apprenticeship?
Looks like my daughter has missed out on most of her CAO course choices; is it too late to apply for a PLC or apprenticeship?
Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. The good news is it is certainly not too late to apply for other options such as PLC courses, Tertiary Courses and Apprenticeships. Not all will still be available, so if you have an idea of what you want to apply for, make contact with the institution or apprenticeship.ie as soon as possible to find out if they still have vacancies. - Brian
Primary school teaching points query
Hello, I received 488 points in my Leaving Certificate today and I want to do primary school teaching in Mary Immaculate College (MIC). This is only two points over the minimum from last year. How likely am I to secure a place? Please, I am so worried. - Christina
Congratulations on doing so well. Points won’t be made public until after 2pm on Wed 26th August. MIC was 484 pts last year. Points can continue fluctuate from round 1 right until the final round 5. Round 5 happens after appeal results have been released. The best of luck. - Deirdre
Percentage breakdown of Leaving Cert results
When do percentages become available? - Barry
At 12 noon on Tuesday August 25th, you will be able to access a full percentage breakdown of your results. - Deirdre
