After hours and hours of studying and an intense exams period, Leaving Certificate students across Ireland will finally get their results this Friday 22 August.
There is no doubt that it is an anxious time for parents and students. I remember well going into the school to collect my results in person with a knot in my stomach and a feeling of dread. At the time, I didn’t get the grades I wanted in three of my subjects. I was worried about the course place I would get as a result.
However, I ended up getting my second choice and loved every minute of my course.
Years of hard work do pay off, and there are now more choices and pathways into further education, meaning the points race is not the only route to where you want to go.
With over 15 years’ experience working as a teacher and a career guidance counsellor, Claire Murphy, who is on the national executive of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors, underlines the importance of students accessing accurate information to help them over the next few weeks.
On the day, students can access their results online through the candidate self-service portal examinations.ie. A student account number and password is needed to log in.
The Central Applications Office (CAO) cao.ie and qualifax.ie, a comprehensive website with information about further and higher education and training courses, both have an automatic points calculator to ensure students can add up their points correctly. It is a good idea for students to check the total a few times.
If someone is considering appealing an exam result, they should apply to view the script first before they make an appeal.
“Students can apply through the candidate self-service portal to view a script. This can be done for free. It is also advisable to ask a teacher or parent, or subject matter expert, to accompany you to the viewing, as they may be able to advise you on where marks were lost or where marks could be gained,” says Clare.
Appeal applications can be made from Sunday 31 August at 10 am to Monday 1 September at 5pm.
“It costs €40 to appeal one exam. Just to note, exam grades can remain the same or, in some cases, be upgraded or degraded, but there is no guarantee that you will receive a different grade after an appeal. If you do get upgraded, you will, however, receive reimbursement of the €40,” explains Claire.
Claire Murphy, national executive of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors.
Getting the right support
Anyone getting their results should look into the support available to help them navigate the decisions they will make over the next few weeks.
The IGC Helpline, run in association with the National Parents Council and the Department of Education, can be reached on 1800 265 165, which opens on the day of results. This offers students support on CAO results, appeals, career pathways, college courses and more.
The IGC have also added a text service where students can simply text the helpline and receive support via text. The helpline operates from 22-29 August from 10 am-5 pm and Saturday 30 August from 10 am-2 pm.
Accepting an offer
With round one, two and three offers, students must remember they are under time constraints when it comes to accepting or rejecting offers through the CAO system.
“If the student is happy with their offer, log in and accept their offer before the reply date on their offer notice, and if they receive a number of offers, they can only accept one offer. You may need a few days to think about it. Second round offers are due out on 8 September, and third round offers are due out on 16 September.
“If the student is not happy with their offer, they need to consider if they go on and study their second and third choice course, will they be happy with this course? Do they know what this course entails and what it will lead to? Students really need to do their research before accepting a course, and I would always advise taking a few days to think about a course before accepting it, especially if it is not their first choice,” emphasises Claire.
Keep an open mind
There are going to be students disappointed that they didn’t get their first choice when CAO offers come out, as there are every year. However, there are always options to be explored.
“In my experience, many students believe that they will not like their second or third choice, or they’ll never be able to achieve their dream career or job because they didn’t get their first choice.
“Some students have tunnel vision when it comes to college courses; they only want their first choice, and they don’t consider anything else. But because there’s a time frame on accepting offers, you have to be open-minded and consider all options,” says Claire.
It is important for students to remember that other people who didn’t get their first choice in the past have gone on to love their course, even though it was their second or third choice.
“I think a lot of students feel disillusioned and disappointed, because although they put the work in, they feel that all their efforts and hard work are not reflected in their points. And I suppose my key message would be, don’t let the Leaving Certificate points define you. There’s a whole range of postgraduate options, especially for those high points courses like medicine, the healthcare sciences, and some people go on to courses in the UK,” Claire explains.
There are many different avenues and educational routes now available for students to help them carve a career pathway in different ways.
It is important that students take some time to evaluate their choices during this period and identify a course they think they would be academically suited to as well as enjoy.
“There are so many options available for students outside of the CAO. Many Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) courses will still be available, but they need to check with their local Education and Training Boards (ETB), their local college, and it’s the same with tertiary degrees. Tertiary degrees would still be open. All of these are great for those students who are looking to stay local. Similarly, apprenticeships.ie also have different starting dates throughout the year, depending on the employer,” says Claire.
Regardless of the points total, students should be proud of their hard work over the last few years to get to this juncture.
Supports available for students
A dedicated helpline staffed by qualified guidance counsellors is available to provide advice and support on interpreting results, the appeals process, and pathways.
Call or text the IGC helpline 1800 265 165.
If students are feeling upset or overwhelmed about their grades, the CAO, or their plans for the future, SpunOut has an anonymous 24/7 text message support service. Free-text SPUNOUT to 50808.
Students will be connected with a trained volunteer.
SOLAS has a free helpline 1800 794 487 for all enquiries relating to apprenticeships.
After hours and hours of studying and an intense exams period, Leaving Certificate students across Ireland will finally get their results this Friday 22 August.
There is no doubt that it is an anxious time for parents and students. I remember well going into the school to collect my results in person with a knot in my stomach and a feeling of dread. At the time, I didn’t get the grades I wanted in three of my subjects. I was worried about the course place I would get as a result.
However, I ended up getting my second choice and loved every minute of my course.
Years of hard work do pay off, and there are now more choices and pathways into further education, meaning the points race is not the only route to where you want to go.
With over 15 years’ experience working as a teacher and a career guidance counsellor, Claire Murphy, who is on the national executive of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors, underlines the importance of students accessing accurate information to help them over the next few weeks.
On the day, students can access their results online through the candidate self-service portal examinations.ie. A student account number and password is needed to log in.
The Central Applications Office (CAO) cao.ie and qualifax.ie, a comprehensive website with information about further and higher education and training courses, both have an automatic points calculator to ensure students can add up their points correctly. It is a good idea for students to check the total a few times.
If someone is considering appealing an exam result, they should apply to view the script first before they make an appeal.
“Students can apply through the candidate self-service portal to view a script. This can be done for free. It is also advisable to ask a teacher or parent, or subject matter expert, to accompany you to the viewing, as they may be able to advise you on where marks were lost or where marks could be gained,” says Clare.
Appeal applications can be made from Sunday 31 August at 10 am to Monday 1 September at 5pm.
“It costs €40 to appeal one exam. Just to note, exam grades can remain the same or, in some cases, be upgraded or degraded, but there is no guarantee that you will receive a different grade after an appeal. If you do get upgraded, you will, however, receive reimbursement of the €40,” explains Claire.
Claire Murphy, national executive of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors.
Getting the right support
Anyone getting their results should look into the support available to help them navigate the decisions they will make over the next few weeks.
The IGC Helpline, run in association with the National Parents Council and the Department of Education, can be reached on 1800 265 165, which opens on the day of results. This offers students support on CAO results, appeals, career pathways, college courses and more.
The IGC have also added a text service where students can simply text the helpline and receive support via text. The helpline operates from 22-29 August from 10 am-5 pm and Saturday 30 August from 10 am-2 pm.
Accepting an offer
With round one, two and three offers, students must remember they are under time constraints when it comes to accepting or rejecting offers through the CAO system.
“If the student is happy with their offer, log in and accept their offer before the reply date on their offer notice, and if they receive a number of offers, they can only accept one offer. You may need a few days to think about it. Second round offers are due out on 8 September, and third round offers are due out on 16 September.
“If the student is not happy with their offer, they need to consider if they go on and study their second and third choice course, will they be happy with this course? Do they know what this course entails and what it will lead to? Students really need to do their research before accepting a course, and I would always advise taking a few days to think about a course before accepting it, especially if it is not their first choice,” emphasises Claire.
Keep an open mind
There are going to be students disappointed that they didn’t get their first choice when CAO offers come out, as there are every year. However, there are always options to be explored.
“In my experience, many students believe that they will not like their second or third choice, or they’ll never be able to achieve their dream career or job because they didn’t get their first choice.
“Some students have tunnel vision when it comes to college courses; they only want their first choice, and they don’t consider anything else. But because there’s a time frame on accepting offers, you have to be open-minded and consider all options,” says Claire.
It is important for students to remember that other people who didn’t get their first choice in the past have gone on to love their course, even though it was their second or third choice.
“I think a lot of students feel disillusioned and disappointed, because although they put the work in, they feel that all their efforts and hard work are not reflected in their points. And I suppose my key message would be, don’t let the Leaving Certificate points define you. There’s a whole range of postgraduate options, especially for those high points courses like medicine, the healthcare sciences, and some people go on to courses in the UK,” Claire explains.
There are many different avenues and educational routes now available for students to help them carve a career pathway in different ways.
It is important that students take some time to evaluate their choices during this period and identify a course they think they would be academically suited to as well as enjoy.
“There are so many options available for students outside of the CAO. Many Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) courses will still be available, but they need to check with their local Education and Training Boards (ETB), their local college, and it’s the same with tertiary degrees. Tertiary degrees would still be open. All of these are great for those students who are looking to stay local. Similarly, apprenticeships.ie also have different starting dates throughout the year, depending on the employer,” says Claire.
Regardless of the points total, students should be proud of their hard work over the last few years to get to this juncture.
Supports available for students
A dedicated helpline staffed by qualified guidance counsellors is available to provide advice and support on interpreting results, the appeals process, and pathways.
Call or text the IGC helpline 1800 265 165.
If students are feeling upset or overwhelmed about their grades, the CAO, or their plans for the future, SpunOut has an anonymous 24/7 text message support service. Free-text SPUNOUT to 50808.
Students will be connected with a trained volunteer.
SOLAS has a free helpline 1800 794 487 for all enquiries relating to apprenticeships.
SHARING OPTIONS