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What’s the first thing you think of when you think about Leaving Cert? If it’s 625 points, we get it. The pressure to achieve the most points possible can feel overwhelming, even when the CAO only awards 625 points to just 1 in 100 students each year.
The reality is that every Leaving Cert points level opens different doors for you, even if they weren’t the ones you were expecting. But it does help to understand how it all works so you know which subjects need more of your focus to boost your points.
If you’re still figuring out Leaving Cert points, wondering how important Leaving Cert points are and what ‘good’ points look like, we’re here to help.
How Leaving Cert grades become points
The Central Application Office (CAO) uses its Common Points Scale and Grading System to convert the grade you get in your Leaving Cert exams into points for your Higher Education Institution (HEI) applications.
The CAO then calculates your final score based on your six best subject grades, including a bonus 25 points if you achieved H6 or higher in Higher Level Maths. That’s why 625 points is the maximum, and why there are so few 600+ points students each year – you need top marks in six Higher Level subjects to get there!
The table below shows how it works for Higher Level and Ordinary Level.
*Last updated September 2026. Check the CAO website for the latest Common Points Scale.
Are Leaving Cert points important?
Points can feel make-or-break, especially if you’ve got your heart set on a specific college. That comes with a lot of pressure to perform, which takes up headspace and can take a toll on your wellbeing, too. It’s the opposite of what you need when you’re trying to focus.
Does that mean they’re not important? Not at all – it’s understandable to care, and that energy can be helpful, if it flows the right way. With examflow, you can share your subjects, progress and goals to find out where you should focus your study time to boost your points. Studying smarter, not harder, means you can work towards more points and still feel like yourself, with time in your schedule for the other important things – the life outside exams that carries you through Leaving Cert and beyond.
What does good look like for Leaving Cert points?
The maximum points you can achieve and how many points are ‘good’ depends on you and your goals. Your journey will look different to the path other students take – no outcome is inherently better or worse than another, and there are always options to explore for your next step.
Good to know: Points are one part of your CAO application. Always check the full entry requirements for the HEI courses you want to apply for.
Is 200 points good?
For Level 5 or Level 6 Post-Leaving Certificate (PLC) courses and apprenticeships, 200 Leaving Cert points will stand you in good stead to be accepted. Both PLC courses and apprenticeships are great stepping stones for a range of careers, from nursing to software development. They can also offer an alternative route to higher education through Higher Education Links Scheme (HLS).
Is 300 points good?
A CAO score of 300 points will open the door to many HEIs and Level 8 courses, as well as PLC courses and apprenticeships. It’s more than enough for a wide range of options, usually including arts, humanities and practical programs in fields like agriculture and sports.
Is 400 points good?
You’ll have even more Level 8 course options with 400 Leaving Cert points, including some at more traditional universities like Trinity College Dublin and University College Cork. If you want to study towards a BSc, you’ll have more places to choose from.
Is 450 points good?
More competitive Level 8 courses open up to you with 450+ Leaving Cert points. Depending on the CAO points threshold for that year, these can include some business and law pathways, as well as more high-demand nursing and allied health programs.
Is 500 points good?
You’ll have more than enough for the vast majority of Level 8 courses across STEM, business, arts and humanities with 500+ Leaving Cert points. Some hyper-competitive courses like medicine, dentistry and architecture at top universities can require 550+ points, but most other options will be yours to choose from.
If you’re feeling the points pressure in the lead-up to Leaving Cert, it might be helpful to remember this: there are always doors open for you, even if they’re not the ones you expected.
Want to boost your points and still make time for life outside exams? Try examflow free for 14 days.