Fall in results may limit college points rise

An expected significant rise in CAO college points because more students have a 25-point bonus for higher maths could be offset by a slight drop in overall Leaving Certificate results.

Almost 200 fewer students than last year were awarded more than 500 points this week for the CAO system, which will offer college places to almost 50,000 people on Monday.

Last year, a substantial rise was noticeable in the CAO points for courses in science, computing, and maths when round one offers were made. The rise was largely prompted by the 25 bonus points given for the first time for passing higher level maths, but also by a jump in the numbers with top Leaving Certificate grades and scoring over 500 points.