CAOInformation

This is a simplified summary

Full details MUST be obtained in the CAO HANDBOOK

Included Applicants Responsibilities General points regarding the

CAO. Entry Requirements and the

Points System. Making an application. How places are allocated by

CAO Timetable of Events.

It is the applicants responsibility to:

Research thoroughly all the courses for which he/she is making application.

Be very clear on all aspects of the application system used (CAO) for these courses, i.e., procedures, dates, fees, rules, etc.

Useful ResourcesTo assist with course research / application

Publications College Prospectuses – 2011 Entry Student Yearbook and Career Directory 2, 2011

ed. Career Choice 2011 ed., CAO Handbook 2011

Newspapers The Irish Times

Tuesdays Education and Living Section

Internet Qualifax – www.qualifax.ie Irish courses

database CAO – www.cao.ie Contains links to course

websites Careersworld – www.careersworld.com Careers Portal- www.careersportal.ie College websites (Addresses in CAO Handbook)

People Relatives Past pupils Admissions/Academic staff of colleges

Guidance Counsellor Access to sources of information.

CAO – General Info. From 2005 there are 3 types of courses students can

apply for under the Nat. Qualifications Framework. These are applied for on 2 separate lists on a single

form:

Level 6 & 7 Courses Level 8 Courses

Ordinary Degrees (7) Higher Certificates (6)

Honours Degrees (8)

Up to 10 Course Choices

Up to 10 Course Choices

The courses are clearly labelled in the CAO Handbook

N.B. – Care must be taken with courses marked ‘Restricted’.

These courses cannot be applied for after February 1st due to extra assessments required.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

These must be satisfied before “points” are considered.

Minimum Entry

Requirements

Specific Subject

Requirements

If all Entry Requirements are met applicant is deemed ‘Qualified’ to apply.

POINTS SYSTEMGenerally in the CAO system

No. of qualified applicants > No. of course places --> selection system is needed.

Selection system used in Irish 3rd Level Colleges is

POINTS SYSTEM Points are calculated from ONE sitting of the Leaving Certificate only.

Points total is calculated from SIX best subjects Bonus points are awarded for Honours Mathematics by

University of Limerick - all courses DIT - Course DT021, Electronic Eng.

Entry Requirements for most courses can be accumulated over more than one sitting of the Leaving Certificate

POINTS ALLOCATIONGrade Honours OrdinaryA1 100 60A2 90 50

B1 85 45B2 80 40B3 75 35

C1 70 30C2 65 25C3 60 20

D1 55 15D2 50 10D3 45 5

LCVP Points

Distinction 70

Merit 50

Pass 30

Making an application Applications can be made online or by paper

form – use one method only. Always keep proof of sending application: online

– print screen receipt, paper – obtain certificate of post.

Form is very straight forward to fill out. www.cao.ie

**VERY IMPORTANT** Students must fill out course lists in:

Genuine Order of Preference They should not put down courses on the basis

of their predictions of next years cut off points or their own points scores.

Why? – Look at how places are allocated.

Science – UCD100 places to be offered

Science – Maynooth100 places to be offered

Course Cut Off Points = 330 Course Cut Off Points = 335*

Random Selection to be used

Last

place to

be filled

ApplicantPosition

PointsScore

1 5602 5353 5254 5205 5106 5107 5058 5009 490-- ---- --15 45516 44517 44018 43519 42020 41021 405-- ---- --98 34599 340100 335101 335102 335103 315104 310105 305-- ---- --182 265

ApplicantPosition

PointsScore

1 5602 5353 5254 5205 5106 5107 5058 5009 490-- ---- --15 45516 44517 44018 43519 42020 41021 405-- ---- --98 34099 335

100 330101 325102 315103 310104 305105 295-- ---- --182 265

1

AL020600595590580**********

495480470465460460460455455450450450450445435********280275275270

2

GY004560535525520**********485480475465460455445440435420410405405405400********325315310305

3

CR105595595590580**********475475470465460460460455455450445440435430430********280275275270

4

LM067560535525520**********485480460455445440440440435420410405400395395********335335315310

5

DT025600595590580**********475475465465460460460455455450450445435430430********280275275270

6

LC019570535525520**********485480470465460455445440435420410405405405400********325315310305

7

TR032600595590580**********475475470465460460460455455450445440435430430********280275275270

8

DN003540535525520**********485480480465460455445440435430410410405405405********335335315310

9

CK602600595590580**********475475470465460460460455455450445440435430430********

280275275270

10

DC193555535525520**********485480470465460455445440435420410405405405400********325315310305

NO NO NOYES YES YES YES YESYES NO

A Students Course Preferences

Students

Points

Total

= 445

Cut Off Points for Course

All Lower

Preference

Courses

Disappear

From Students

Preferences

2

G Y 0 0 45 6 05 3 55 2 55 2 0

* ** ** ** ** *4 8 54 8 04 7 54 6 5

4 6 04 5 5

4 4 54 4 04 3 54 2 04 1 04 0 54 0 54 0 54 0 0

* ** ** ** *3 2 53 1 53 1 0

1

A L 0 2 06 0 05 9 55 9 05 8 0* ** ** ** ** *

4 9 54 8 04 7 04 6 54 6 04 6 04 6 04 5 54 5 54 5 04 5 04 5 04 5 04 4 54 3 5* ** ** ** *2 8 02 7 52 7 5

Last place to

be filled - Round 1 Last place to

be filled – Round 1

Last place to

be filled - Round 2

Last place to

be filled - Round 2

ROUND 2

7 round one places not accepted

3 round one places not accepted

Round 2 cut off points - 455

Round 2 cut off points - 460

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

So – what is the best way to fill in the courses?

Dream Courses

Realistic Courses

Banker Courses

Places AllocationNote: The position of a course in a student’s

preference order does not in any way affect their chance of getting a place on that course.

The exact same procedure takes place for both lists on the form, hence students may get get 2 offers in August – one from each list, may accept only one.

Students should think carefully about not accepting one of these offers, as they may not receive any further offers.

Regardless of whether or not they accept a course in round 1, they will still be offered a higher preference course in subsequent rounds if they become entitled one.

After Making Application

Applicants receive CAO number and Statement of Course Choices – check this carefully.

Some students may be called for extra assessments.

Applicants receive Statement of Application Record – check details carefully.

Change of Mind facility becomes available – use sparingly and carefully.

Leaving Cert. Results are sent to CAO. Places are allocated and offered by post and online. Students accept, reject or defer offered places. Further rounds of offers are made until all course

places are filled.

William Glasser Educationalist Psychologist

“Education begins at birth and continues all

our lives”