The Leaving Certificate is the final examination of the Irish secondary school system, typically taken after 12 to 14 years of education, and the main basis for admission to higher education in Ireland through the CAO points system. Students sit examinations in a range of subjects at ordinary, higher or, for some subjects, foundation level, and the qualification has developed into its recognizable modern form through successive reorganizations of the Irish state examination system over the twentieth century.
Facts
Classification
Policy TypeAssessment or Standards Policy 1 Education LevelUpper Secondary Education (ISCED 3) 1 Key ProvisionAdmission to universities and colleges is by a points system run by the CAO 1 Enacted / Adopted Year Policy Status
Policy Status (category) FAQs
How do Leaving Certificate results turn into university places in Ireland?
Through a points system run by the CAO and agreed by the third-level institutions rather than set by the State Examinations Commission.
Admission to universities and colleges is by a points system run by the Central Applications Office, known as the CAO. The points allocations were collectively agreed by the third-level institutions involved in the CAO scheme, and the relativities they imply have no official standing in the eyes of the State Examinations Commission or the Department of Education.
Sources
1. Leaving Certificate (Ireland) (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationOpening definition
The final exam of the Irish secondary school system and the university matriculation examination in Ireland.
Grading
Admission to universities and colleges is by a points system, run by the Central Applications Office (CAO).
Article text
The Established Leaving Certificate, introduced in 1924, is the most common programme taken.
Lead section
The Leaving Certificate Examination (Irish: Scrúdú na hArdteistiméireachta), commonly referred to as the Leaving Cert or (informally) the Leaving (Irish: Ardteist), is the final exam of the Irish secondary school system and the university matriculation examination in Ireland.
Description, education-level classification
The Leaving Certificate is the final examination of the Irish secondary school system, typically taken after 12 to 14 years of education, and the main basis for admission to higher education in Ireland through the CAO points system.
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