‘Minority’ benefited from bonus points
The CAO said higher-level maths was counted as one of the six best subjects of just 3,353, or 9%, of the people offered a level 8 degree. They were among 12,914 with Leaving Cert results from last week or from a previous year.
More than 200 courses, almost one in six, recorded a jump of 25 points or more yesterday.
Although less than the widespread rises predicted last week, points for half of the 800 level 8 degrees are up on last year.
Most of the biggest rises were for degrees in science, computing and maths, where demand is up significantly, and many engineering courses also need much higher points than last year.
CAO applicants only count their six subjects with the highest points score, but students with a D in higher maths might not have gained any bonus points advantage if they had five or more other higher-level subjects with a B2 or greater.
CAO operations director Joe O’Grady said: “We see from initial figures that it’s a minority of applicants who get a net benefit from the bonus, most applicants presenting higher-level maths won’t have a higher score because of the bonus,”
Another improvement in overall student performance in the Leaving Cert is a significant factor, with an extra 500 more than last year getting 450 points or higher before bonus maths points were added.
Education Minister Ruairi Quinn’s spokeswoman said the minister was pleased maths bonus points had little negative impact and that his department would monitor the impact for the next few years. “The bonus scheme for higher-level maths was introduced in an effort to increase the number of students sitting higher-level maths, and it has done exactly that with a 35% increase in the number of students sitting the exam this year,” she said.
However, the Institute of Guidance Counsellors said it was concerned about the distorted effect maths bonus points had on other courses where a high level of mathematical competence was not a core requirement. It wants them targeted only at courses where such high maths standards are needed.
Professor Áine Hyland, author of numerous reports on the points system, previously cautioned that bonus points might be better focused on courses with a specific maths component.
However, she said initial analysis indicated bonus points had no serious unintended consequences.
“Broadly speaking, the intended consequences have been achieved. There has been an increase in the number taking higher maths and getting the higher grades, and there’s been an increase in the numbers applying for the science, technology, engineering and maths courses, the desired effect,” she said.
“And, most importantly, there’s been a big jump in the cut-off points for those courses.”
She said very high failure and dropout rates on these courses in recent years had been directly linked to the selection of students with lower CAO points, but it would be hoped that those rates would level out after the higher standard of entrants.
* The National Parents Council Post Primary helpline — 1800 265 165 — is open from 8am to 7pm today and until 2pm tomorrow.
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