What a Successful Leaving Cert Appeal Means for Your CAO Offer
Last week, more than 5,000 Leaving Certificate results were upgraded through the official appeals process, representing approximately 19% of all appeals submitted. On top of that, the State Examinations Commission (SEC) issued 110 upgraded results following its own internal quality checks.
For many students, these upgrades make CAO Round 5 offers a critical milestone. Offers will be issued on Tuesday, September 29th, at 10:00 AM.
If your upgraded points now satisfy the entry requirements for a course higher on your CAO preference list, you are eligible for an offer in this round. Depending on capacity, this will look like one of two options:
An immediate start for 2026: If the college still has available places on the course.
A deferred entry for September 2027: If the course is currently at maximum capacity or it is felt that a transfer at this time of the year would not be advantageous to the student.
If you find yourself in either situation, you have an important decision to make by 1st of October but remember that you are under no obligation to accept the new offer. If you have already settled into a course and are happy where you are, you can simply remain enrolled. The same applies if you receive a deferred place for next year, you can choose to accept the deferral or stay on your current path.
Navigating CAO options after an appeal upgrade can feel overwhelming. If you need guidance on weighing your options before the Round 5 acceptance deadline of 1st of October, get in touch today to discuss the best path forward for you!