The month of June brings the dreaded exam season for parents and students. On Wednesday, 4 June, across Ireland, 61,726 students sat down to tackle their first exam paper. Many of us remember the pressure and stress that this two-week period brings. It is another few months until the results day and CAO places are announced. Two years of studying, practising exam papers and preparations have all led to what is essentially a memory test known as the ‘points race’.
After each exam is over, students start dissecting the paper and questioning if they did enough to get the grade they want. Will they get the points required for the course they have listed as number one or two on their CAO application? And even if they get the points required, will they get a place on the course?
There is so much emphasis and pressure on students during the final two years of their second-level education that it’s easy forget to put time and effort into looking at the opportunities that exist beyond the exams.
As more pathways and further education courses become available, students should be encouraged to also look outside of the ‘points race’ and find a programme and course that is suited to their learning style and interests.
Outside the CAO system
Minister of Further and Higher Education, James Lawless, emphasises the need to communicate and raise awareness about the other pathways open for students to access further and higher education.
Minister for further and higher education, research, innovation and science of Ireland James Lawless.
“I know how stressful the Leaving Cert can be for students and their families. That’s why I am working to ease this pressure by expanding entry routes into third-level education. Since 2022, nearly 1,000 additional permanent college places have been created in high-demand areas like medicine and nursing, and we have new courses in pharmacy, dentistry, and veterinary medicine on the way. The new veterinary courses will focus on large animal practice, and I know how vital that is to our farming sector.
“And crucially, more and more options now sit outside the CAO system,” the Minister tells Irish Country Living.
“From apprenticeships and further education to our new tertiary degree programmes, there are growing pathways into careers and qualifications that don’t require CAO points. For example, through tertiary degrees, students can now begin a course in further education colleges in subjects such as media production, business, software development, nursing or occupational therapy, and progress seamlessly to gain a degree in third-level institutions.
“The points race isn’t over yet, but for many students it’s no longer the only way forward,” stresses the Minister.
Selecting a course
“Many students will worry that the points might rise or that they might not get enough points for their first choice. This is a common experience, but it can impact some students harder than others,” according to Catríona Rodgers, president of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors (IGC).
Every post-primary school in Ireland has an allocation for guidance counsellors. This currently equates to approximately 22 hours of guidance per 583 students in non-DEIS schools and approximately 22 hours of guidance per 249 students in DEIS schools.
“It would be a tremendous gift for society, for learners and parents, if we were familiar with all pathways, and valued all pathways equally. Parity of esteem for apprenticeships, tertiary degrees, PLC routes, Earn and Learn pathways and CAO courses, amongst other options, is something that we all need to promote and value,” says Catríona.
Many learners going into the exam will know that they have secured their place in their local FET college, gotten their apprenticeship or have completed their interview for their tertiary degree, and may feel less stressed about the ‘what-ifs’ that the exams can present. These applications remain open during the summer months.
Catríona Rodgers, president of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors (IGC).
The National Parents and Student Leaving Certificate Helpline 1800 265 165 will be open during the Leaving Certificate results period from Friday, 22 August. This free, confidential service will be staffed by fully qualified and dedicated guidance counsellors who are there to help.
Emily-Jane McDonnell, sixth-year student from Athlone Community College.
“I am from Clonark, Co Roscommon. I’ve had an interest in agriculture from a very young age, having grown up on a farm where both my dad and uncle are farmers. Being surrounded by farming every day sparked my curiosity early on and gave me a real appreciation for the hard work involved in the industry. After I finish my Leaving Certificate exams, I am hoping to do animal science at University College Dublin.
“I took the time to explore my interests towards the summer after fifth year, which made filling out the CAO in sixth year much easier. I worked closely with my guidance counsellor, researching lots of different career options. I was very lucky in my school; we had an excellent guidance counsellor, who provided me with lots of valuable information about a wide range of colleges and courses.
“What I appreciated most was how she encouraged me to explore all of my options and not limit myself to just one path. Her guidance opened my eyes to opportunities I hadn’t considered before and helped me feel more confident about making informed decisions for my future.
“I felt a lot of pressure to choose a course. Everyone was constantly asking, ‘What are you going to do in college?’ and at 18 years old, it’s overwhelming to make such a big decision. I had considered taking a year out to explore other options and save a bit of money, but regardless, at the end of the day, I knew it was important to make the decision that was best for me.
“I would like to see less pressure on students to know exactly what they want to do after school. Most students at 16/17/18 years of age are still figuring out their interests, strengths, and values. I feel giving them time to explore different pathways will help them to make a more informed decision about their further education and career choice.
“A lot of students feel limited to career choices based on the points system. Students who don’t get 625 points would make excellent doctors, too. I think people feel pressured to make choices based on external expectations rather than personal fulfilment.”
The month of June brings the dreaded exam season for parents and students. On Wednesday, 4 June, across Ireland, 61,726 students sat down to tackle their first exam paper. Many of us remember the pressure and stress that this two-week period brings. It is another few months until the results day and CAO places are announced. Two years of studying, practising exam papers and preparations have all led to what is essentially a memory test known as the ‘points race’.
After each exam is over, students start dissecting the paper and questioning if they did enough to get the grade they want. Will they get the points required for the course they have listed as number one or two on their CAO application? And even if they get the points required, will they get a place on the course?
There is so much emphasis and pressure on students during the final two years of their second-level education that it’s easy forget to put time and effort into looking at the opportunities that exist beyond the exams.
As more pathways and further education courses become available, students should be encouraged to also look outside of the ‘points race’ and find a programme and course that is suited to their learning style and interests.
Outside the CAO system
Minister of Further and Higher Education, James Lawless, emphasises the need to communicate and raise awareness about the other pathways open for students to access further and higher education.
Minister for further and higher education, research, innovation and science of Ireland James Lawless.
“I know how stressful the Leaving Cert can be for students and their families. That’s why I am working to ease this pressure by expanding entry routes into third-level education. Since 2022, nearly 1,000 additional permanent college places have been created in high-demand areas like medicine and nursing, and we have new courses in pharmacy, dentistry, and veterinary medicine on the way. The new veterinary courses will focus on large animal practice, and I know how vital that is to our farming sector.
“And crucially, more and more options now sit outside the CAO system,” the Minister tells Irish Country Living.
“From apprenticeships and further education to our new tertiary degree programmes, there are growing pathways into careers and qualifications that don’t require CAO points. For example, through tertiary degrees, students can now begin a course in further education colleges in subjects such as media production, business, software development, nursing or occupational therapy, and progress seamlessly to gain a degree in third-level institutions.
“The points race isn’t over yet, but for many students it’s no longer the only way forward,” stresses the Minister.
Selecting a course
“Many students will worry that the points might rise or that they might not get enough points for their first choice. This is a common experience, but it can impact some students harder than others,” according to Catríona Rodgers, president of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors (IGC).
Every post-primary school in Ireland has an allocation for guidance counsellors. This currently equates to approximately 22 hours of guidance per 583 students in non-DEIS schools and approximately 22 hours of guidance per 249 students in DEIS schools.
“It would be a tremendous gift for society, for learners and parents, if we were familiar with all pathways, and valued all pathways equally. Parity of esteem for apprenticeships, tertiary degrees, PLC routes, Earn and Learn pathways and CAO courses, amongst other options, is something that we all need to promote and value,” says Catríona.
Many learners going into the exam will know that they have secured their place in their local FET college, gotten their apprenticeship or have completed their interview for their tertiary degree, and may feel less stressed about the ‘what-ifs’ that the exams can present. These applications remain open during the summer months.
Catríona Rodgers, president of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors (IGC).
The National Parents and Student Leaving Certificate Helpline 1800 265 165 will be open during the Leaving Certificate results period from Friday, 22 August. This free, confidential service will be staffed by fully qualified and dedicated guidance counsellors who are there to help.
Emily-Jane McDonnell, sixth-year student from Athlone Community College.
“I am from Clonark, Co Roscommon. I’ve had an interest in agriculture from a very young age, having grown up on a farm where both my dad and uncle are farmers. Being surrounded by farming every day sparked my curiosity early on and gave me a real appreciation for the hard work involved in the industry. After I finish my Leaving Certificate exams, I am hoping to do animal science at University College Dublin.
“I took the time to explore my interests towards the summer after fifth year, which made filling out the CAO in sixth year much easier. I worked closely with my guidance counsellor, researching lots of different career options. I was very lucky in my school; we had an excellent guidance counsellor, who provided me with lots of valuable information about a wide range of colleges and courses.
“What I appreciated most was how she encouraged me to explore all of my options and not limit myself to just one path. Her guidance opened my eyes to opportunities I hadn’t considered before and helped me feel more confident about making informed decisions for my future.
“I felt a lot of pressure to choose a course. Everyone was constantly asking, ‘What are you going to do in college?’ and at 18 years old, it’s overwhelming to make such a big decision. I had considered taking a year out to explore other options and save a bit of money, but regardless, at the end of the day, I knew it was important to make the decision that was best for me.
“I would like to see less pressure on students to know exactly what they want to do after school. Most students at 16/17/18 years of age are still figuring out their interests, strengths, and values. I feel giving them time to explore different pathways will help them to make a more informed decision about their further education and career choice.
“A lot of students feel limited to career choices based on the points system. Students who don’t get 625 points would make excellent doctors, too. I think people feel pressured to make choices based on external expectations rather than personal fulfilment.”
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