‘Points race must not focus so much on maths’

Institutes of technology believe efforts to ease pressures of the college points race should not be too focused on Leaving Certificate maths performance.

As maths results are a strong indicator of success at college, since last year 25 bonus CAO points have been offered to students who pass it at higher level. Early figures from the State Examinations Commission on nearly 50,000 intending Leaving Certificate students that the numbers taking the tougher exam will increase again this year.

Almost 30% — more than 14,500 — are provisionally entered for higher-level maths. This is up from 25% this time last year, although around 1,500 may end up dropping to ordinary level in June, based on previous years’ patterns.