The wait is almost over for second level students who will receive their Leaving Certificate results on Tuesday the 13th of August 2019. With thanks to the Millennium baby boom, this year’s state examinations produced the highest number of students to sit the Leaving Certificate / Leaving Certificate Applied in 15 years (59,656).
Schools Liaison Officer at Griffith College Sinéad O’ Callaghan, offers her advice;
‘First and foremost, the students should be tremendously proud of themselves and their achievements to date. Regardless of what’s on that piece of paper, students need to know that they have many progression routes and paths available to them.
If you really want to fulfil your dreams, anything is possible’.
Sinéad’s recommendations in the lead up to the results are:
Deal with emotions
- In the week leading up to the results, you may feel a wide range of emotions including anxiety, nervousness, excitement and happiness. It’s completely normal to feel all of these emotions and I’d urge you to lean on family members, friends, partners or significant people in your life for support. A new chapter of your life is about to begin and with change comes a range of feelings and emotions. Express openly how you’re feeling and discuss your goals for the future.
Access results
- The results will be released on Tuesday the 13th of August. You can access the results in two ways; in person at your school at 9:00 a.m. and throughout the day or else online from 10:00a.m. onwards. Students will need to register online at https://www.examinations.ie/examresults/registration/ and use their personal examination number and PIN number to access their results through the internet results service.
Appeal results
- You may need to appeal your results. Typically, if you’ve always achieved H1’s in a subject and you’ve now been given a H4, you can query this result, particularly if you feel you performed well in the exam on the day. Firstly you will have to request to view your script followed by filling out a personalised appeal application form that can be accessed online. An appeals fee must be paid. The appeals process is open from 5:00 p.m. Friday 16th of August to 5:00 p.m. Thursday 22nd of August 2019.
Ask for help
- Helplines are available to students and parents, if you need to discuss your results or your options for the future at this time. The State Examinations Commission operates a helpline which is staffed by professional Guidance Counsellors for one week following the issuing of results. The Freephone number is 1800 265 165. Support is also available from Griffith’s Schools Liaison Officer Sinéad directly at schools@grifffith.ie or on 0871004564.
Calculate your points
- Calculate your total points by adding the top 6 results together. Be aware that bonus points are awarded for completing and passing the higher level mathematics paper. If you’re confused, you can consult an online point’s calculator. Make sure that you’re operating off the new points system (2017). You will need to achieve the minimum entry requirements to be offered a place on the course of your choice from the CAO. Remember that many pathways and opportunities are available to you at this time: PLC courses, Colleges of Further Education, IT’s, Universities, Private Colleges, Apprenticeships or also to go straight into the world of work.
Next chapter
- Celebrate! Enjoy yourself! This is a significant moment in your life, you’ve completed formal second level education and you will now go on to new ventures in the near future. Whether your results are exactly what you expected or a little less than what you’d planned for, this achievement is still a great one and you should be proud of your hard work and efforts.
Following the retrieval of the Leaving Certificate results, the Central Applications Office (CAO) will issue first round offers online at www.cao.ie. This will occur on Thursday 15th August at 2:00 p.m. Students will receive an offer of the course highest up on their preference list which they are deemed eligible for based on their attained points. It’s advisable to be aware of the ‘Available places’ facility, which is accessible through the CAO website. This will give you an opportunity to avail of a course of your choice, once you meet the minimum entry requirements and the institution has space on the particular course to accept your application. Griffith College’s available places facility will be in operation from Friday the 16th of August. For more information on 2019 / 2020 undergraduate courses at Griffith College contact admissions on 01 4163 358 or admissions@griffith.ie.
