NEW LEAVING CERTIFICATE GRADING
SCALE
Revised
Points Scale
THE CHANGES
Grade Scale moving from 14 to 8
A, B, C, D, E, replaced with 1-8
Grade 8 awarded for %<30
Higher and Ordinary = H1-8 and
O1-8
CURRENTLY…
The majority of students receiving a grade
are within 3 percentage marks of a higher
grade, which would give them 5 extra
points.
This creates pressure towards rote learning
and using the marking scheme to gain those
few additional marks
THIS NEW SCALE…
Will ease the pressure on students to achieve marginal gains in
exams and encourage more substantial engagement with each
subject.
Will also allow for greater flexibility, variety and innovation in
LC assessments.
Will allow for an enhanced learner experience in senior cycle
with a greater focus on the achievement of broader learning
objectives.
Will move the LC closer to school leaving exams in other
countries and the International Baccalaureate.
THE NEW POINTS…
Will minimise the use of random selection in the admissions
process, by minimising the number of candidates presenting with
identical points scores.
Will award points for the new H7 grade.
Will reward high levels of performance in some subjects above
more even performance across a broader number of subjects.
THUS…
Students will on average receive slightly less points than under
the current system.
All students who apply from 2017 onwards will have their points
calculated in this way.
25 bonus points will be awarded for those who attain H6 (40%)
similar to now.
BASIC MATRICULATION REQUIREMENTS
Where the requirements are currently;
5 ordinary D3s will now be 5 O6/H7 grades
2 HLC3s and 4 OLD3s now 2 H5 and 4 O6/H7
3 HLC3s and 3 OLD3s now 3 H5 and 3 O6/H7
Subject requirements which form part of the basic matriculation remain unchanged.