Whither the points system?
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Accepted Version
Author's original accepted version
Date
2025
Authors
Hyland, Áine
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals
Published Version
Abstract
The Central Applications Office (CAO) was set up in 1976 by the Irish universities to provide a common application system for students applying for university places. A system of allocating places on the basis of students’ results in the Leaving Certificate was developed and this system has become known as the Points System. In recent years, criticism of the Points System as a mechanism for selecting third level students has gained impetus. Newspapers and social media have condemned the system and have argued that points alone are no longer a sufficiently reliable arbiter as to who is best suited for a role in a rapidly changing future. Does the points system deserve this criticism? Is there a better way to select students for higher education? This article will explain how and why the points system developed and will discuss its strengths and weaknesses.
Description
Keywords
Ireland , Points system , Leaving Certificate , Third level education
Citation
Hyland, Á. (2025) 'Whither the points system?', Leader - Journal of the National Association of Principals and Deputy-Principals, Spring 2025.
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Copyright
© 2025, the Author. Published by the National Association of Principals and Deputy-Principals.