Bonus maths system to push up points for college courses

LEAVING CERTIFICATE students face increased CAO points for many higher-level college courses this year – despite the decline in numbers sitting the exam.

Career experts say the new bonus points system for maths – which awards 25 extra points to higher level exam candidates – is among factors putting upward pressure on points levels for many courses.

It is expected that CAO requirement could increase by 10-15 points for courses in arts, law, social sciences and business, as students who sat higher-level maths chase places on these courses.

Points are expected to increase for high-demand courses in science, technology and agriculture, which appear to offer better job prospects.

Earlier this year, the CAO reported an 18 per cent rise in applications for higher degree courses in science. Strong demand for science courses will put upward pressure on CAO points. Last year, the entry requirement for science at UCD increased to 455 points. In 2006, students could gain entry to this programme with fewer than 300 points.

This year, more than 53,700 candidates are entered for the Leaving Cert exams – down 1,500 since last year. Normally this should lead to reduced pressure on points, but the new bonus points system has transformed the overall picture.

Several factors are combining to put upward pressure on points, including:

The 20 per cent fall in the number of Irish students applying to colleges in Britain because of higher tuition charges;

The inability of many colleges to meet increased student demand because of cuts;

An increase in applications from those who are struggling to find jobs or apprenticeships.

The new bonus points system gives a significant advantage to students who sit the higher-level maths paper next Friday – once they secure a D3 or better in the exam.

It is expected up to 50 per cent of those seeking the 30,000 places on higher-level college courses will have the additional 25 points. However, this will increase the pressure on close to 36,000 students who will sit ordinary level maths this week.

The bonus points system will be less significant for students seeking places on courses in maths, technology and engineering, where higher-level maths is a basic entry requirement. In practice, all students seeking places on these courses will have the 25 extra points.

* This article was amended on June 5th, 2012 to correct a factual error.