University or course accessIreland
Leaving Certificate
Ireland's school-leaving exam; CAO points from your six best subjects decide your university place.
- Who sits it
- Students in their final year of Irish secondary school.
- When it happens
- June of sixth year, results in August.
- Preparation time
- The two years of senior cycle.
- How often
- Once a year.
- Cost
- A modest exam fee, waived for medical card holders.
What the exam is like
Written (and some oral/practical) exams in six or more subjects at higher or ordinary level.
Stage by stage
1
Choose subjects and levels in fifth year
2
Apply to the CAO by February
3
Sit the exams in June
4
Receive points and CAO offers in August
How the mark is used
Up to 625 CAO points; courses fill by descending points.
Careers that need it
No careers are linked to this exam yet.