CAO points calculator
Enter your Leaving Cert subjects, levels and grades (expected or actual) to see your CAO points from your best six, with the Higher Level maths bonus applied. It also shows which single grade improvement would add the most points.
Faded rows are outside your best six and don't count.
CAO points
455
Best six of 7 subjects, including the 25-point maths bonus. The maximum is 625.
Where the next points are
One grade higher in Business adds the most: +12 points.
- Business up one grade+12
- Mathematics up one grade+11
- English up one grade+11
- French up one grade+11
Points are worked out from the CAO grid; colleges also set minimum entry requirements (such as a grade in maths or Irish) that this calculator doesn't check. Want to move a grade? Two free grinds with a specialist.
The CAO points grid
Higher Level: H1 100, H2 88, H3 77, H4 66, H5 56, H6 46, H7 37, H8 0. Ordinary Level: O1 56, O2 46, O3 37, O4 28, O5 20, O6 12, O7 and O8 0. Foundation Level Maths: F1 20, F2 12. LCVP Link Modules: Distinction 66, Merit 46, Pass 28.
Higher Level Mathematics adds 25 bonus points for H6 and above. An H5 at Higher Level (56) is worth the same as an O1, and an H6 in Higher maths with the bonus (71) is worth more than an O1, which is why staying at Higher Level is usually worth it.
Using the calculator to plan
Points come from your best six, so a seventh subject is a safety net: it only counts if it beats one of the six. The 'where the next points are' box shows the subject where one grade higher adds the most, which is usually the best place to focus revision or grinds.
Remember that courses also have minimum entry requirements, such as a grade in maths, English or Irish, or a language for some universities, which points alone don't cover.
FAQs
How are CAO points calculated?＋
Each Leaving Cert grade has a points value (H1 = 100 down to H7 = 37; O1 = 56 down to O6 = 12). CAO adds up your six best results in recognised subjects from one sitting.
How do the maths bonus points work?＋
Higher Level Mathematics adds 25 points for an H6 or better, so an H6 is worth 71 and an H1 125. The bonus only counts if maths is in your best six.
What is the maximum number of CAO points?＋
625: six H1s (600) plus the 25-point maths bonus.
Do LCVP Link Modules count?＋
Yes: Distinction 66, Merit 46 and Pass 28 points, counted like any other subject in your best six.
Does Foundation Level maths get points?＋
F1 is worth 20 points and F2 12. Some colleges may not award points for Foundation Level, so check with each college.
Can I combine results from two years?＋
No. CAO only counts results from one sitting of the Leaving Certificate; if you repeat, your best single sitting is used.
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