Leaving Certificate Point System

The leaving cert point system works as follows. In all, 34 Leaving Certificate subjects are available to schools.On top of this students can choose any of the European languages. You can choose to do Higher, Ordinary and in some case Foundation level. If you get an A1 in higher level, you get 100 points. If you get an A1 in Ordinary level, you get 60 points.  Even though students generally sit 7 exams the max points any student can get is 600.
This will change in 2012 as students who decide to sit higher level maths and pass it will automatically receive an additional 25 points. Students are examined in a number of ways. They will all have to sit an exam in June. This comes at the end of 6th year. They may have to hand in practical work, do an oral or aural exam in addition to their final written test.

*Students sitting Foundation Level can get the following points
  A1= 20POINTS
  A2= 15POINTS
  B1=10 POINTS
  B2=5 POINTS

Why don't you go to www.qualifax.ie and use the point calculator. Put in what you anticipate getting. Your Junior Cert results are a good place to start! This will give a an estimate of the points you could get.

How do I know what to choose

At this stage many of you will have done your Junior Certificate or will be sitting it next June. How you performed should be the first place to look at. If you performed well or think you will perform well in a certain subject then you should strongly consider keeping this subject for the leaving cert. If you found it difficult then it makes sense to put this in the maybe pile. We can’t rule out anything as some colleges or careers might require you to do a certain subject. 

Subjects that we enjoy are far easier to study than those that we don’t.  It is 2 years to the leaving cert. That is a long time to be studying something that you don’t like. We also tend to be good at the things we enjoy.

We all have abilities in different places. Most of you will have done an aptitude test and this spells out for you where your strengths lie.  If you are very creative then Art may be a good subject to consider. If you look at things in a logical way and enjoy analysing how things work then Physics might be a good subject.

If you have not done an aptitude test there are some available on line.  Try www.qualifax.ie or www.careersportal.ie . Both of these sites will help you focus in on the areas you are good at. This will help you select subjects for your needs. The second website also discusses different career options which you might find helpful.

Keep in mind that you should do 7 (or more if you choose) subjects. You will only get marked on your best 6 so you have a safety net if you don't do well in a 1 subject.

It can be easy to go with the tide and choose subjects that your friends are doing but it is very important that the chosen subjects suit, that you enjoy them and finally that they open as many doors as possible for you in the future.

  Remember             
                                                        Pick what you enjoy doing.

                                             Pick what you are good at.

                                             Pick what you need.