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CAO points calculator
Pick a grade for each subject you sat. We count your best six, with the Maths bonus added first.
An estimate only. Courses also have minimum entry requirements, and some colleges score Foundation Maths, Foundation Irish or LCVP differently. Check with the college, or use the CAO's own calculator.
CAO points for each Leaving Cert grade
The HEI Common Points Scale, used by every college in the CAO system. Bands are percentages.
| Higher | Mark (%) | Points | Ordinary | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| H1 | 90 to 100 | 100 | O1 | 56 |
| H2 | 80 to under 90 | 88 | O2 | 46 |
| H3 | 70 to under 80 | 77 | O3 | 37 |
| H4 | 60 to under 70 | 66 | O4 | 28 |
| H5 | 50 to under 60 | 56 | O5 | 20 |
| H6 | 40 to under 50 | 46 | O6 | 12 |
| H7 | 30 to under 40 | 37 | O7 | 0 |
| H8 | 0 to under 30 | 0 | O8 | 0 |
Higher Level Maths bonus
H6 or above in Higher Level Maths earns 25 extra points. A H6 is worth 71 and a H1 is worth 125.
Foundation Maths and LCVP
Foundation Maths: F1 20, F2 12. LCVP Link Modules: Distinction 66, Merit 46, Pass 28.
Source: CAO Application Handbook 2027, Table 1.6, page 30.
How are CAO points counted?
- Best six subjects, one sitting. Your six best scores in recognised subjects from one Leaving Cert sitting are counted. You can't combine results from two years.
- Maths bonus first. If you got H6 or above in Higher Level Maths, add the 25 bonus points first, then pick your best six. The bonus only counts if Maths is one of those six.
- LCVP in place of a sixth subject. All colleges award points for the LCVP Link Modules in place of a sixth subject, but not all count LCVP towards minimum entry requirements.
- Some subjects vary. For Foundation Level Maths, Foundation Level Irish and Alternative Ordinary Level Maths, some colleges may not award the points on the scale. Check with the college's admissions office.
- Minimum entry requirements come first. You must meet a course's minimum entry requirements before your points are considered.
NCAD does not award points for its restricted courses, and undergraduate medicine has its own rules: see cao.ie/ugmed.
Worked example: 394 points
The CAO's own example. A student sits seven subjects in 2027, and the lowest score is dropped.
| Subject | Level | Grade | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Irish | Higher | H2 | 88 |
| English | Ordinary | O2 | 46 |
| Maths | Higher | H5 | 81 (56 + 25 bonus) |
| French | Higher | H6 | 46 |
| Biology | Higher | H3 | 77 |
| Geography | Ordinary | O3 | 37 (not counted) |
| History | Higher | H5 | 56 |
| Best six | 394 | ||
Source: CAO Application Handbook 2027, Table 1.7, page 31.
How do points turn into CAO offers?
When the Leaving Cert results are out, the CAO checks whether you meet each course's minimum entry requirements. For each course you're eligible for, it ranks applicants in order of points. Each college tells the CAO how many offers to make, and you get an offer for the highest course on your list that you've ranked high enough for.
You won't be offered a course lower on your list if you get an offer for one higher up. That's why the CAO asks you to list courses in your genuine order of preference. See CAO 2027 key dates for application and Change of Mind deadlines.
Questions people ask
How many points is a H1?
A H1 (90 to 100%) at Higher level is worth 100 CAO points. In Higher Level Maths it is worth 125, with the 25 bonus points.
How many points is an O1?
An O1 (90 to 100%) at Ordinary level is worth 56 points, the same as a H5 at Higher level.
What is the maximum number of CAO points?
625. Only your best six subjects count, so six H1s give 600, and the 25 bonus for Higher Level Maths brings that to 625.
Do you get points for a H7 or H8?
A H7 (30 to under 40%) is worth 37 points. A H8 is worth 0. At Ordinary level, O7 and O8 are worth 0.
How do the Maths bonus points work?
Higher Level Maths at H6 or above earns 25 extra points. For example, a H6 becomes 71 instead of 46. The bonus is added before your best six are chosen, and it only counts if Maths is then one of your best six.
Does LCVP count for CAO points?
Yes. All colleges award points for the LCVP Link Modules in place of a sixth subject: Distinction 66, Merit 46, Pass 28. Not all colleges count LCVP towards their minimum entry requirements, so check with the college.
Can I add results from two Leaving Certs together?
No. Only one sitting of the Leaving Cert is counted for points.
What happens if two people have the same points?
For some courses, the CAO uses random numbers. Each applicant gets a random number for each course choice, and if applicants with the same points are competing for the last place, it goes to the one with the highest random number.