CAO – Leaving Certificate Points Calculator

CAO Leaving Certificate Points Calculator — the 2025 no-drama guide

You’re looking at Ireland’s CAO points system, not the UK’s UCAS Tariff. Different countries, different yardsticks. The CAO calculator takes your Leaving Certificate results, picks your best six subjects from a single sitting, applies the +25 bonus for Higher Level Maths (if you earned H6 or better), and adds everything up to a maximum of 625 points.

Below is a clear, human explainer: what counts, what doesn’t, how the bonus works, and how to do the maths yourself—step by step.

What this calculator actually does

• Inputs: Your Leaving Cert subjects, each with level (Higher/Ordinary) and grade.

• Logic:

  1. Convert each subject to points using the Common Points Scale.

  2. If you passed Higher Level Maths at H6 or better, add +25 to that Maths score.

  3. Select the best six subjects after the bonus is applied.

  4. Sum those six to get your final CAO points.

• Scope: Points come from one sitting of the Leaving Cert. Minimum subject requirements for a course can sometimes be met across multiple sittings, but your points total is from a single sitting.

The Common Points Scale (current)

Higher Level (H):

• H1 = 100

• H2 = 88

• H3 = 77

• H4 = 66

• H5 = 56

• H6 = 46

• H7 = 37

• H8 = 0

Ordinary Level (O):

• O1 = 56

• O2 = 46

• O3 = 37

• O4 = 28

• O5 = 20

• O6 = 12

• O7 = 0

• O8 = 0

LCVP (Link Modules):

• Distinction = 66

• Merit = 46

• Pass = 28

Bonus for Higher Level Maths:

• If you score H6 or better in HL Maths, add +25 to that subject’s points.

• The bonus only helps if HL Maths is in your best six after adding it.

Foundation Level Maths:

• Generally no points on the CAO scale; a few HEIs may treat it differently for minimum entry only. Check course rules.

Upper limit:

• 625 points = 600 from six top subjects + 25 bonus for HL Maths.

How to calculate your CAO points (exact steps)

1. List your subjects from one LC sitting, including level (H/O) and grade.

2. Convert to points using the scale above.

3. Apply the Maths bonus if you have HL Maths at H6 or better: add +25 to that Maths score.

4. Pick your best six subjects (after the bonus).

5. Add those six carefully to get your total.

6. Confirm course specifics: You must still meet any minimum subject/grade requirements (for example, a language, Maths at a certain level, or specific science for a health course). Points do not override hard subject minima.

Worked examples (with the arithmetic shown)

Example A — Mixed Higher, HL Maths at H6

Subjects: H2, H3, H3, H4, H5, HL Maths H6, plus others lower than these.

• H2 = 88

• H3 = 77

• H3 = 77

• H4 = 66

• H5 = 56

• HL Maths H6 = 46 + 25 = 71

Now pick the best six: 88, 77, 77, 66, 56, 71
Add them digit by digit:

• 88 + 77 = 165

• 165 + 77 = 242

• 242 + 66 = 308

• 308 + 56 = 364

• 364 + 71 = 435 points

Example B — Strong profile with HL Maths at H5

Subjects: H1, H2, H3, H5, HL Maths H5, O1

• H1 = 100

• H2 = 88

• H3 = 77

• H5 = 56

• HL Maths H5 = 56 + 25 = 81

• O1 = 56

Pick the best six (these six are all solid): 100, 88, 77, 56, 81, 56
Add cleanly:

• 100 + 88 = 188

• 188 + 77 = 265

• 265 + 56 = 321

• 321 + 81 = 402

• 402 + 56 = 458 points

Example C — Including LCVP

Subjects: H4, H4, H5, O1, HL Maths H6, LCVP Distinction

• H4 = 66

• H4 = 66

• H5 = 56

• O1 = 56

• HL Maths H6 = 46 + 25 = 71

• LCVP Distinction = 66

Pick the top six: 71, 66, 66, 66, 56, 56
Add carefully:

• 71 + 66 = 137

• 137 + 66 = 203

• 203 + 66 = 269

• 269 + 56 = 325

• 325 + 56 = 381 points

(If your sum looks way off, double-check the level/grade mapping and whether the HL Maths bonus was applied before selecting the top six.)

Subtleties that trip people up

• One sitting for points: If you repeat, you still pick one sitting for the points tally.

• Bonus order matters: Add the +25 to HL Maths before deciding if it makes your top six.

• LCVP can count as one of your six, depending on the HEI and course.

• Subject minima are separate: You might hit the points total and still be ineligible if you miss a required subject/grade.

• Ties happen: When many applicants meet or exceed a cut-off, places can be allocated by random selection among those on the same points.

Quick self-audit checklist

• Did you convert each grade using the correct level (Higher vs Ordinary)?

• Did you only use subjects from one sitting?

• If applicable, did you add +25 to HL Maths H6 or better before picking the best six?

• Did you exclude any seventh, eighth, or ninth subject from the final sum?

• Do you still meet course-specific subject minima?

Strategy tips (because smart beats lucky)

• Back-solve from targets: If a course typically lands around, say, 500+, sketch scenarios to see where incremental gains help most—bumping a Higher grade up one band often beats chasing marginal Ordinary upgrades.

• Protect HL Maths: If you’re near H6/H5, the +25 can be a difference-maker. The jump from H6→H5 is both a grade bump and keeps the bonus.

• Use LCVP wisely: A Distinction at 66 points is competitive with many Higher and Ordinary results and can anchor your top six.