Regardless of today’s results, students can rest assured that there is a path forward for every individual leaving school
Transitioning from school to adulthood is a significant milestone in one’s life after spending 13 to 14 years in primary and post-primary education. It is a moment filled with various emotions.
In the history of the Leaving Cert, candidates of the class of 2023 approached the exams with more apprehension than ever before due to the educational disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Unlike previous years, they did not sit state exams at the end of the Junior Cycle, making it a completely new experience.
The release of results always brings a mix of joy and disappointment, but regardless of the outcome, every student has the opportunity to take a positive step forward.
Since 2020, there has been a significant increase in grade inflation in Leaving Cert results due to the exceptional arrangements put in place because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
This trend continues this year following a directive from Education Minister Norma Foley in July that grades should not be lower than those in 2022.
This is good news for the class of 2023 as their overall results are expected to match the record levels of 2021 and 2022.
When the CAO offers are revealed next week, these high grades will translate into high points for many sought-after courses.
However, students should not overly worry about this. CAO points are not randomly assigned; they depend on the grades achieved by students, the availability of places on a course, and the demand for that particular course.
Many school-leavers may have high hopes of receiving their desired CAO choices in the Round 1 offers next week, and the chances are quite promising. Typically, at least half of the applicants for an honours degree course receive their top choice, and at least three in four receive one of their top three preferences.
The odds are even more favorable for Level 7/6 (ordinary degree/higher certificate) applicants to the CAO.
Furthermore, there are a significant number of new CAO places available this year, particularly for healthcare and education courses, which should alleviate competition in these highly sought-after fields.
It’s important to remember that the CAO is not the only option. While it receives a lot of attention, only around 53% to 54% of school-leavers pursue a CAO course in the same year they complete the Leaving Cert. This means that the other half explore alternative paths.
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