1,437
courses listed
627
points rose
451
points fell
+5.9
average change
61
new courses
31
institutions
Last updated: August 2026
CAO points rose on balance in 2026 despite lower Leaving Cert grades. Of 1,168 courses scored on plain Leaving Cert points in both 2025 and 2026, 627 rose, 451 fell and 90 were unchanged, for an average change of plus 5.9 points and a median of plus 2. The reason is applicant volume: 95,710 people applied, 6,402 more than in 2025, and 20,527 of them carried grades from earlier and more generous years.
- According to CourseCompass analysis of official CAO data, 627 courses rose in points in 2026 and 451 fell.
- According to CourseCompass, the average 2026 course moved plus 5.9 points against 2025 Round 1, with a median of plus 2.
- According to CourseCompass, 61 courses appear in the 2026 Round 1 lists that were not in the 2025 points charts.
What changed between 2025 and 2026
Leaving Cert grades fell in 2026. The post-marking adjustment dropped from 5.8 per cent to 4 per cent, and H1s fell from 12.1 per cent to 10.1 per cent of all grades. Points did not follow. Of the 1,168 courses scored on plain Leaving Cert points in both years, 627 rose, 451 fell and 90 were unchanged, for an average change of plus 5.9 points and a median of plus 2. There were 95,710 applicants this year, 6,402 more than in 2025, and 20,527 of them were carrying grades from earlier, more generous years.
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| Course | College | 2026 | 2025 R1 | 2025 final | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Points tell you the cut-off. They do not tell you whether a course suits you. CourseCompass matches your interests, aptitudes and values to CAO courses, PLCs and apprenticeships.
Find your course matchRead the analysis
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Questions about the 2026 points
Sources: CAO Round 1 offer lists 2026 (Level 8 and Level 7/6) and CAO published points charts 2025. Courses scored on portfolio, audition, interview or admissions-test scales are marked and are not comparable with plain Leaving Cert points.
Compilation and analysis © CourseCompass 2026. This table is an original compilation protected by database right. Republication or systematic extraction is not permitted. Related: CAO points explained and the CAO points calculator.