This step by step guide is everything you need to know about Leaving Cert Results, CAO Offers, and options outside CAO.  The menu items address some of the main concerns that arise at this important time and offer practical information and advice.

1. Leaving Cert Results Day 

The State Examinations Commission intends to issue the 2025 Leaving Certificate and Leaving Certificate applied examination results to candidates on Friday 22 August 2025 Results of Leaving Certificate 2025 will issue directly to students through the Student Portal Results will also issue simultaneously to students’ schools. 

Leaving Certificate 2025 - Student Portal

After Leaving Cert results are issued the following are important to consider:

1. CAO offers and acceptances - All key dates here.
2. Money Matters - Grant Applications; Accommodation arrangements etc.
3. Other Options - Contingency plans; Repeat Leaving Cert, PLC (Post Leaving Cert Courses), Further Education and Training, Apprenticeships, UCAS Clearing, Gap Year, Finding a Job and Study Abroad options.

The relevant sections in this guide that will help you to understand Leaving Cert Results Day are below:

• How to Access Your Results
• Calculate Your Leaving Cert Points
• How to Cope with a Disappointing Leaving Cert
• Repeating the Leaving Cert
• Second Chance Maths Exams
• Leaving Cert Appeals
• Leaving Cert Helpline / College Supports
• Department of Education Updates

2. CAO Offers

The first round of CAO offers (Round 1) will be made available to applicants online on Wednesday August 27th.  Successful applicants will also receive an email notification. This Round 1 offer will contain the highest choice, for which the applicant has achieved the required number of points and entry requirements, from their 1-10 CAO application lists.

• Do not panic. If you have followed the CAO instructions you will not lose any place to which you are entitled.
• Read the CAO Handbook if you are unsure of anything.
• Read all correspondence sent by CAO.
• Do not miss the deadline on 3pm September 2nd for accepting the offer. If you do, the place will be offered to another applicant.
• There is no need to inform CAO if you do NOT wish to accept an offer. Due to the large numbers of people involved, it will be very difficult to telephone CAO at the Offer Stage.
• All email enquiries received from applicants are processed as fast as possible by the CAO. Enquiries should be made by using the Correspondence Section of your CAO account.
• When calculating points for the Leaving Certificate, remember that only your best 6 subjects are counted.
• Acceptance of offers cannot be made by telephone, fax or email. Only an online acceptance will secure a place.
• When making an online acceptance make sure that you follow all of the directions on the screen.
• If you wish to defer the place until next year, read page 28 of the CAO Handbook. Do not contact CAO, make contact with Admissions in the college.

The relevant sections in this guide that will help you to understand CAO Offers are below:

• CAO Key Dates
• CAO POINTS
• Understanding CAO Offers
• CAO Available (Vacant) Places
• Accepting a College Place
• Deferring a College Place

3. Other Options Outside CAO

There are many options available to students outside the CAO system. Explore some of the Non-CAO Options open to Students in the 'Other Options Outside CAO' menu item.

• Apprenticeships and Traineeships
• Repeat Leaving Cert
• Springboard Courses
• Employer-Sponsored Programmes
• Gap Year
• Graduate Entry Programmes
• Non-CAO Undergraduate Courses
• Post Leaving Cert Courses (PLC)
• Study Abroad
• UCAS Clearing

4. Going to College

The relevant sections in this guide that will help you in accepting your college place and starting your exciting journey are:

• College Registration & Orientation
• College Checklist for Students
• Supported Routes to College - HEAR/DARE
• Grants and Scholarships

Read a guide for School Leavers here from Citizens Information: