CAO Points Calculator

In the Irish Leaving Certificate, each grade at each level is assigned a points value. Higher Level grades are worth more than Ordinary Level, reflecting the greater difficulty. Your CAO points are calculated by taking your best six subjects and summing their points values.

The maximum possible score is 625 points: six H1 grades at 100 points each, plus the 25-point bonus for scoring H6 or better in Higher Level Maths. In practice, most students score between 300 and 500 points.

Points are used by universities and institutes of technology to rank applicants for limited places. The cutoff for each course changes annually based on demand, so there is no fixed "pass mark" — higher points give you a better chance of getting your preferred course. Also applying to UK universities? Our UCAS Points Calculator converts A-level, BTEC and AS-level grades the same way.

Most courses require you to meet general matriculation requirements in addition to achieving the course points cutoff. These typically include at least 2 H5 (or higher) grades and 4 O6/H7 (or higher) grades, including English and Maths.

Course-specific requirements vary significantly. For example, engineering courses may require a minimum grade in Maths, while language courses may require a minimum grade in the relevant language. Always confirm the exact requirements with the CAO handbook or the institution directly.