Róisín O'Donohoe, Guidance Counsellor at Gorey Educate Together Secondary School and member of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors is here with advice for students receiving their results.
Leaving Cert Results day is finally here. This day marks a significant milestone in your life, the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. You have likely been waiting for this day all summer with a sense of anticipation. Now that it is finally here, it is natural to experience many different emotions ranging from excitement to anxiety to relief.
1. Take a breath
The first thing to do on the morning of your results is take a deep breath! Whether or not you have achieved the results you were hoping for, it is important to remember to celebrate the hard work, perseverance and dedication you've shown over the past few years.
Remind yourself that today is a day to celebrate your journey through secondary school, regardless of the set of numbers on the page. For many of you, you will still be awaiting CAO offers. Points and demand for places can change year on year so, regardless of the outcome on results day, it is important to wait for CAO offers before you make any rash decisions. However, there are few important things to note at this stage.
2. Getting Your Results
Leaving Cert Results 2024 are available from 10am on the 2024 Candidate Self Service Portal. You will need your examination number, password, and PPS number. Some students will prefer to access their results alone, but it is always a good idea to have a trusted and supportive person with you.
Once you've opened your results, take some time to process them. It’s okay to feel emotional, whether you’re overjoyed or disappointed. Reach out to someone you trust (a parent, friend, or teacher) to talk through how you’re feeling. Sometimes, just sharing your thoughts can help you see things more clearly.
3. Check in
Take some time to check in with your friends and classmates, especially those who were worried about their results. Check with your school if there are supports in place or if you could access the results from your school. Each school may vary as to what will be available but it is a good idea to connect in with any supports available on the day.
As you celebrate your Leaving Cert results, remember that moderation is key. It's important to enjoy this moment, but be mindful of your limits and look out for your friends too. Celebrations should be fun and safe for everyone, so keep an eye on those around you. True celebration is about sharing joy responsibly and ensuring that everyone can look back on this day with positive memories.
4. What to Check
On receipt of your results, check if you meet requirements for your desired courses and calculate your points from your TOP 6 results. Use a points calculator app via www.careersportal.ie or www.cao.ie.
5. What you can do if you are not happy with your results?
- Double check you have calculated points correctly (Top 6 results, and does not need to include core subjects and/or subjects required for the course).
- You could review and recheck scripts of exam(s) that you were disappointed with. This review process is free. There is a cost if you proceed to recheck the script after your review.
- You can look for support – via school Guidance Counsellor, helplines such as the National Leaving Certificate Helpline 1800 265165 open on Friday, 23 August from 10am. Check for full schedule on www.igc.ie.
- Look at alternative options, such as accept offer made (whether it is your 3rd or 5th on your CAO list), or accept Level 6/ 7 offer – this may progress to Level 8 desired option or look at PLC route, gap year, apprenticeship, CAO Available Places (opens Thursday, 29 August at 12 noon) or UCAS Clearing for courses not fully subscribed that might lead to your career aspirations. There are lots of alternative options that might prove equally as relevant to your interests
6. Application to review scripts
If you are unhappy with one or more result, apply to view your script. To apply to view scripts opens from Tuesday, 27 August from 5pm. This closes Wednesday, 28 August at 8pm via your CSSP. Please note that this is a short window of time so don't delay.
- Exam scripts (written) are viewed on a single day in the students school, Saturday, 31 August. Students will be allocated a time. Review of scripts online is 9am Saturday, 31 August to 9am Sunday, 1 September. Rechecks are up to €40 per Leaving Certificate subject and €15.50 for LCA subjects
- You can elect one other person to view the scripts with you. Important to organise in advance, especially if it's your subject teacher or friend
- If deciding to apply for recheck on the back of the review, you apply between Sunday 10am 1st September and closes Monday, 2 September at 5pm via CSSP
- If you receive an improved grade, you may receive a new CAO offer of you are now deemed eligible due to change in points or are now meeting the requirement.
- Refund awarded if your appeal is successful
- Remember you can also be downgraded
- You can double check all key dates here 2024 - Candidate Self Service Portal
7. CAO offers and acceptance
- On 28 August at 2pm the Round 1 offers are out
- Deadline for acceptance Tuesday 3rd September at 3pm via CAO online
- Round 2 offers Monday, 9 September at 2pm online from www.cao.ie and email/ text from CAO
- For further information on subsequent round dates and deadlines go to Central Applications Office (cao.ie)
8. Alternative Options
- QQI Level 5 courses, or Level 6 for advanced entry offered in colleges of Further Education & Training (FET), go to the CAO link to FET Courses.
- Look abroad, you can still apply for medicine in Italy! Check out www.eunicas.ie or reapply 2024 to CAO (Ireland) UCAS (UK) www.ucas.co.uk.
- Repeating the Leaving Cert, if you know you could perform a lot better and need it for your desired course.
- Accepting your back up offer, either lower down on your Level 8 list or offer form the alternate level 6/7 list, or look at conversion options eg Arts degree + Postgrad in Primary Teaching
- Look into Tertiary Courses available Courses | National Tertiary Office
- Traineeships/ apprenticeships at www.apprenticeship.ie.
- Employment.
9. Important supports
- The National Parents and Students Leaving Certificate Helpline: You can call the helpline on 1800 265 165 from Friday, 23 August to Saturday, 31 August - go to www.igc.ie for dates & times.
- SEC Helpline: If you have queries about the exam results, you can speak to staff at the State Examinations Commission (SEC) on 1800 111 135 or 1800 111 136 23 August to 2 September. You can also email candidateportal@examinations.ie.
- Appealing a result: You can find out about all key deadline dates for appealing results on the SEC website 2024 Candidate Self Service Portal
- CareersPortal: Lots of excellent advice on the CareersPortal website including a step-by-step guide on what to do ater getting your Leaving Cert Results - Leaving Cert Results | Leaving Cert Results - Next Steps - CareersPortal
- Google other supports – live Instagrams, college live Q&A's, college websites or admissions www.cao.ie, www.education.ie.
- CAO Handbook via www.cao.ie.
10. Support tips for parents and guardians
- Keep calm and congratulate the efforts and results received.
- Remember, communication is key. Keep communication channels open. Remain curious and ask how your son/ daughter how they are feeling about their results and what they want to do next.
- Use some of the support resources below to help plan the next steps together.
- Remember that your child's guidance counsellor can be a huge resource at this time so check in with the school about supports available.
Final Thoughts
In the coming days, you'll be making some important decisions about your future. Take your time, seek advice, and trust that you have the strength and resilience to navigate whatever comes your way. Your journey is uniquely yours, and there are many roads to happiness and success.
Remember to celebrate all the successes, big and small, along with the friendships and experiences you have gained throughout your time at secondary school. Whatever the outcome on results day, you can hold your head high as you take the next step to carving out your own future. The possibilities are endless!
