WHY IS FIVE NO LONGER THE MAGIC NUMBER FOR THIRD LEVEL?
This academic year (2016-2017) sees the introduction of the New Common Points Scale for Entry to Higher Education. The scale has been amended to take some of the pressure off the points race.
Currently a mark of 5% would generally separate grades. For example, a C3 is 55-60% and a B2 is 75-80%
Because of the fact that points are currently awarded in multiples of 5 only, a relatively large number of students can end up with the same score. This can lead to CAO applicants who have attained the same points being subjected to a roulette system of random allocation for a college place.
Grading System Reform
The current Leaving Certificate 14-stage grading system, which stretches from A1 to NG, at both higher and ordinary level, has been reformed. Candidates receiving Leaving Certificate results from August 2017 will have their results expressed in a new scale of grades. The new scale will apply to all applicants applying to the CAO on the basis of their Leaving Certificate examination results.
The points available under the new scale cannot be compared with the points awarded up to 2016.
From 2017 there will only be 8 bands (at each level) in the grading system.
The new grades are H1-H8 for Higher Level and O1-O8 for Ordinary Level and here are the corresponding percentages.
Under the new system, a mark of 10% will separate grades, such as 50-60% for a H5.
Overhaul of CAO Scale
As a result of the points changes the CAO scale has also undergone a significant overhaul. The top of the scale will remain at 100 but, crucially, it will no longer go down in steps of 5 or 10 points.
This non-linear scale is defined by different increments and these will be used between each grade.
This new scale means that now any points score between 0 and 625 is achievable, which will allow for greater variation between individual students when competing for college places.
When is a fail a pass? When it’s a H7/O3!
For the first time, students will be awarded points for a mark of less than 40% on a higher level paper, traditionally regarded as a “fail”.
At present, less than 40% gets zero and the change is intended to encourage students to aim higher by reducing the risk of getting no points for a subject at all.
Maths Bonus Points
25 bonus points will continue to be awarded for Higher Level Mathematics for H6 grades and above. For example: if an applicant received a H6 grade an additional 25 points will be added to the 46 points already awarded. Thus Higher Level Mathematics now carries a points score of 71 for the applicant.
Changes to Matriculation Requirements for 2016/2017 Academic Year
1. Where the requirements were 2 higher level C3 grades and 4 ordinary level D3 grades, in 2016/2017 these will become 2 H5 and 4 O6/H7 grades
2. Where the requirements were 5 ordinary level D3 grades, in 2016/2017 these will become 5 O6/H7 grades
3. Where the requirements were 3 higher level C3 grades and 3 ordinary level D3 grades, in 2016/2017 these will become 3 H5 and 3 O6/H7 grades.
What to find out more?
Choose your subject here:
Irish, English, Maths, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Spanish, Business,
History, Geography, Accounting, Economics, French, German