CAO Points Calculator
The ultimate Leaving Cert points calculator. We automatically apply the best 6 subjects rule and add the 25-point Higher Maths bonus if you qualify.
How are CAO Points Calculated?
Your CAO points are calculated from your Leaving Certificate examination results. The Central Applications Office (CAO) uses these points to offer places in Irish Higher Education Institutions.
The 3 Golden Rules of CAO Points
- Best 6 Subjects: Only your best 6 scoring subjects from a single sitting of the Leaving Certificate are counted. You cannot combine scores from different years.
- 25-Point Maths Bonus: If you pass Higher Level Mathematics (H6 or higher), you receive a 25-point bonus. This is added before the top 6 subjects are selected.
- Maximum Points: The maximum possible score is 625 points (Six H1s = 600 points + 25 Bonus points for Higher Maths).
Leaving Certificate Points Table (2026)
The current grading system uses H1-H8 for Higher Level and O1-O8 for Ordinary Level subjects. Here is exactly how grades convert to points:
| % Mark | Higher Grade | Higher Points | Ordinary Grade | Ordinary Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 90 - 100% | H1 | 100 | O1 | 56 |
| 80 - 89% | H2 | 88 | O2 | 46 |
| 70 - 79% | H3 | 77 | O3 | 37 |
| 60 - 69% | H4 | 66 | O4 | 28 |
| 50 - 59% | H5 | 56 | O5 | 20 |
| 40 - 49% | H6 | 46 | O6 | 12 |
| 30 - 39% | H7 | 37 | O7 | 0 |
| 0 - 29% | H8 | 0 | O8 | 0 |
Applying to Medicine?
If you are applying for undergraduate Medicine in Ireland (e.g., at Trinity, UCD, RCSI, UCC, or NUI Galway), your CAO points are only half the battle. You must also sit the HPAT (Health Professions Admission Test).
HPAT + CAO Calculator
Medicine entry points are calculated differently. Any CAO points above 550 are "moderated" (divided by 5) before being added to your HPAT score.
Use the HPAT Medicine Calculator