How to plan ahead for Leaving Cert results day this Friday

With the Leaving Certificate results being released on Friday, it can be a nerve-wracking time for students and parents who have waited anxiously over the summer months.

The results are due out on August 22 at 10am. The CAO round 1 offers will then be made on Wednesday, August 27 from 2pm.

The best thing to do coming up to the results is be organised and not make rash decisions until the CAO offers come out. Here is everything you need to know about the Leaving Cert results, how to access them, calculate points, and deal with disappointment.

How can students access Leaving Cert results?

You can access them via the online system or in your school. Log on to the account you have created on the Candidate Self Service Portal (CSSP) on Friday at 10am to access your results online.

The CSSP is now open again on the state examinations website if you haven’t registered and need to create an account. I strongly advise this as it is the platform you will use to view scripts and/or appeal your result.

On Friday, you should have the Leaving Cert points calculator, a good reliable one can be found on careersportal for example. This is a quick, efficient tool to allow you to convert your grades into CAO points. It will give you the results from the combination of your highest six subjects.

In addition, if a student has sat the higher-level maths exam, 25 bonus points will be added to the points score. Students who receive a H6 or higher will have 25 bonus points added to their total score for maths - these will only be added if Maths is in the top 6 results being calculated.

It is important to note students must also meet the minimum entry requirements for the CAO courses they have chosen.

Can students view their scripts?

Students who feel unhappy with their grades will be able to view their marks online via the CSSP on August 26 at 12pm. Here you can see if there are any issues that might spur you on to appeal your grade. You can then apply to view your scripts via the CSSP from 5pm on August 26 to 8pm on August 27.

How do I appeal?

You can do this from 10am on August 31 to 5 pm on September 1. I strongly advise looking at your script before you make a decision on this. If you want to appeal, you can make an application to do so via your CSSP. The results of the appeals will be available on September 26 at 11am.

CAO round offers

Round 1 offers begin on August 27 from 2pm. You have until September 2 at 3pm to accept. Please take note of all these windows.

How do I access my CAO offers?

Each applicant has their own unique access password to enable them to log on to the My Application section of the CAO website where they can view their offer/s at 2pm on August 27.

Applicants will receive an email and text message (if they opted for this) to let them know if and when they have received offers.

What offers will I get?

Applicants may receive an offer from both their level eight honours degree list and their level six/seven higher cert/ordinary degree one Level 8 course will arrive first, followed by Level 7/6 courses. Only one offer can be accepted.

When do I need to accept?

Students will have until September 2 at 3pm to accept their offers. Applicants are advised to take the time to consider their options.

It’s important to say if you do nothing with the CAO offer you received, it will be removed and passed onto the next applicant. If for some reason you don’t want the offer just leave it be, don’t do anything.

Deferring an offer is different. If you wish to apply for this , first don’t accept your offer. Instead, you must email the admissions office of the appropriate college as soon as possible.

You must quote your CAO application number and the course code of the offer you wish to defer and set out the reason/s for the deferral. Applicants must write ‘Deferred entry’ clearly in the subject line of the email. This must arrive in the admissions office of the institution at least two days before the reply date on the offer notice and the college will communicate their decision to you directly. You are not guaranteed a deferral.

Key things you need to understand before accepting an offer

You are not guaranteed to get another offer in subsequent rounds. It’s important to assess the offer you get, if it’s not your first choice you may feel disappointed but must consider the current offer, go over the course content, the modules, etc. Make the right decision, will you be happy with this course?

If you decide not to take the offer you get you may not receive another.

It’s important to state if you get another offer in round 2, for example, it won’t be and cannot be a course lower on your preferences. So, for example, if you get offered your choice two, you can’t get offered course choice 3, 4, 5 and so on. You can only be offered a place on a higher course preference, in this case course one. This will happen if a place becomes available and you meet the minimum entry requirements.

Disappointing news

It must be acknowledged that Leaving Cert results can be a very disappointing time for students and their parents. If you feel disappointed or upset, you need to take time to allow yourself to express those feelings and surround yourself with support.

As a career guidance counsellor at careerhub.ie I am a huge affirmer of the idea there are many different routes to achieve a career aim or dream. A lot of people do not get their dream course and this is OK. When you have taken time to feel disappointed, consider your next steps, whether that is accepting a level 7 that may allow you a different entry route into your dream course, or by accepting a lower course choice that you can compliment with postgraduate study or conversion down the line. If you cannot commit to these courses, there are other routes including PLCs which may also provide QQI entry into your dream course the following year (this varies from course to course so extensive research is vital).

Where to find support

A free helpline has been set up to offer support for those facing important decisions. The number is 1800 265 165. The helpline will be staffed by professional guidance counsellors who give one-on-one support to those who need it. The CAO website has very useful information around CAO offers and contains all the key dates. Speak to family and friends.

Contacting the State Examinations Commission: If a candidate needs to contact the SEC, the email is candidateportal@examinations.ie and the number is 090-6442702.

I offer advice and updates on all CAO and everything careers related on my Instagram @careehub.ie. I also offer programmes and sessions to support your specific concerns. www.careerhub.ie. You can email me an info@careerhub.ie