Leaving Cert results and CAO 2026: our experts answer your questions

The Irish Times has launched its CAO Helpdesk for 2026, offering a crucial resource for students navigating the complexities of college applications in Ireland. Education experts Deirdre Garrett and Brian Howard are on hand to answer a wide range of questions, from understanding Leaving Certificate results and CAO points to managing appeals and deferrals.

“

You can log into the Candidate Self Service Portal (CSSP) - 2026 using your exam number and password on www.examinations.ie. Or, if you were in a school last year, you can go into your school to pick up a provisional copy of your results there.

The helpdesk aims to provide clear and timely feedback as students make critical decisions about their higher education paths. Topics addressed include the process for viewing results via the Candidate Self Service Portal (CSSP) and the implications of grade upgrades following an appeal. Applicants are informed that if their grades improve and they meet the points criteria for a course, an offer may be made if places are still available, or they can choose to defer their entry.

“

CAO will make an offer if places are still available on the course in question. The candidate can choose to enter into this course subject to availability or defer their place to September 2027.

Guidance is also provided on reviewing marked papers and understanding grade breakdowns, with specific marks for oral, aural, and practical components becoming available. For students concerned about potential shifts in course points, the experts offer insights based on factors like the Post-Marking Adjustment (PMA) and overall applicant numbers. While definitive predictions are impossible, they advise on the strength of a student's current position relative to previous years' requirements.

“

The breakdown of results of oral/aural/practical components and exact marks are available from 12 noon on Tuesday Aug 25th. One can access this using their Candidate Self Service Portal (CSSP).

The helpdesk also addresses anxieties about unexpected lower-than-expected results, encouraging students to apply for script reviews and consider appeals if necessary. For those who may have missed deadlines for their initial CAO choices, the possibility of applying for apprenticeships or Post-Leaving Certificate (PLC) courses is also mentioned, ensuring students are aware of alternative pathways into further education and training.

“

The overall sense is that points should maybe drop a little since the Post-Marking Adjustment (PMA) has dropped from 5.8 per cent last year to 4 per cent this year, so that is positive. However, the overall numbers sitting the LC this year are up considerably, and there are 20,000 CAO applicants this year who sat their LC in a previous year, so there is a lot of competition. Unfortunately, there is no way of saying definitively what courses will go up or down, but having four points over last year is a good position to be in, so fingers crossed.