CAO Points Scale 2026 — Higher & Ordinary Level
The official CAO points scale used by all Irish universities and Higher Education Institutions for 2026.
| Grade | Percentage | Higher Level | Ordinary Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| H1 O1 | 90–100% | 100 | 56 |
| H2 O2 | 80–89% | 88 | 46 |
| H3 O3 | 70–79% | 77 | 37 |
| H4 O4 | 60–69% | 66 | 28 |
| H5 O5 | 50–59% | 56 | 20 |
| H6 O6 | 40–49% | 46 | 12 |
| H7 O7 | 30–39% | 37 | 0 |
| H8 O8 | 0–29% | 0 | 0 |
How Are Leaving Cert CAO Points Calculated?
The Central Applications Office (CAO) uses a standardised points system to rank all applicants for Irish university places.
Match grade to points
Each grade (H1–H8 or O1–O8) maps to a fixed value. H1 = 100 pts, H2 = 88 pts, down to H8 = 0 pts.
Add HL Maths bonus
Score H6 or above in Higher Level Maths? Add 25 bonus points before ranking subjects.
Pick best 6 subjects
You can sit up to 8 subjects. The CAO picks your 6 highest scores automatically.
Sum your total
Add the 6 scores together. That total is your CAO points for all Irish HEI course offers.
What is the maximum Leaving Cert points score in 2026?
The maximum is 625 points: six H1 grades (6 × 100 = 600) plus the 25 HL Maths bonus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ireland’s Most Accurate Free CAO Points Calculator
This free CAO points calculator was built specifically for Irish Leaving Certificate students preparing their CAO applications. It uses the official 2026 points scale confirmed by the Central Applications Office and applies all rules correctly — including the automatic selection of your best 6 subjects from up to 8, and the 25-point Higher Level Mathematics bonus for students who achieve H6 or above in HL Maths.
Unlike other calculators, this tool is updated every year to reflect the current official scale, contains no advertising, requires no account or registration, and works on all mobile devices. Your grades are never sent to any server — all calculations happen instantly in your browser.
The CAO points system is used by every Irish university, institute of technology, and higher education institution to rank applicants and make course offers. Understanding your points in advance helps you make more informed choices when submitting your CAO application. Use the calculator above to model different grade scenarios before your results arrive in August 2026.
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Ireland’s fastest, most accurate CAO points calculator — free, no ads, 2026.
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