Leaving Cert Results 2026: Navigating the Next Steps
After months of study, revision, exams and waiting, Leaving Cert results day has finally arrived. For students and their families, it can be a day filled with excitement, relief, nerves – and sometimes disappointment.
Whatever the results, it is worth taking a moment to recognise the achievement involved in getting to this point. A Leaving Cert result is important, but it does not define a young person, their abilities or their future. There are many different routes to further education, training and employment, and the pathway ahead does not have to be perfectly clear on results day.
There are a number of important dates and deadlines linked to Leaving Cert results and CAO Round 1 Offers to keep in mind over the coming days as make important decisions about navigating the next steps.
Key dates and deadlines around LC results
Friday, August 21st from 10am – Leaving Cert results issued by the State Exams Commission (SEC) and available to individual students through the CSSP. They will be also be available to schools through their own school portal.
Tuesday, August 25th from 12 noon – Candidates can see component marks for each subject including orals, aurals, practicals, projects and the written part of the paper.
Tuesday, August 25th from 5pm – Applications to view exam scripts open
Wednesday, August 26th at 8pm – Applications to view exam scripts close
The viewing of examinations scripts is free of charge. The LCA application to view scripts will be via email. The same timeline applies.
Saturday, August 29th at 9am to Sunday, August 31st at 9am – Access will be available to view scripts for exams which were marked online. Exams which were manually marked can be viewed at an assigned time during two sessions, in school on Saturday the 29th between 9.30 and 5pm.
Sunday, August 30th at 10am to Monday, August 31st at 5pm – Applications to appeal subjects can me made online via the CSSP. The fee to appeal a result is €40 per subject for Leaving Certificate and €15.50 for Leaving Certificate Applied. The fee is refunded in the case of a successful appeal.
Friday, September 25th at 11am – Results of Leaving Cert appeals will be released. (Provisional date).
These deadlines are particularly important because the window for viewing scripts and submitting appeals is very short. Late applications will not be accepted by the State Exams Commission, so make sure you check the relevant dates carefully.
What if the Maths requirement is an issue?
If a student has achieved the points required for a course but has not met the minimum Maths requirement, it may not necessarily be the end of the road.
Some universities offer alternative or second-chance Maths examinations, which generally take place shortly after the Leaving Cert results are released. Check the ‘Important Dates’ section of the CAO website for details of the universities offering these examinations and information on how to apply.
CAO Round 1 offers
The next big date for CAO applicants is Wednesday, August 26th at 2pm, when Round 1 offers will be released.
Students can check their offers through the ‘My Applications’ section of the CAO website. Offers will also be sent by email and SMS.
It is possible for a student to receive an offer from both their Level 8 and Level 7/6 course lists, but only one offer can be accepted.
Students should take their time when considering their offer. The Round 1 acceptance deadline is September 1st at 3pm. An offer can be accepted, declined or, where appropriate, deferred. Remember too that CAO offers continue through subsequent rounds as places become available.
What if there is no CAO offer?
This is one of the questions I am most often asked by students and parents – and the first thing to remember is don't panic.
If there is no offer, check the Statement of Application carefully. Make sure the examination details, minimum entry requirements and other information are correct. If you believe there is an error or omission, contact CAO immediately through the Correspondence section of your account.
If the student simply does not have enough points for their preferred courses, there are still many options available.
These can include CAO Available Places, Post Leaving Cert (PLC) courses, apprenticeships, traineeships, joint tertiary degree programmes and supported training programmes. Studying abroad is another possibility for some students.
A student who does not get any offer on Round 1 should also remember that further CAO offers will follow in Rounds 2, 3, 4 and 5, so they may receive an offer in later rounds, although this is not guaranteed!
Important CAO Dates and Deadlines
August 26th at 2pm - CAO Round 1 online - also issued by e-mail and SMS text. Applicants who have not received an offer will receive a `Statement of Application` e-mail.
August 27th at12:00 noon - Available Place facility opens
September 1st at 3pm - Round 1 acceptances closing date.
September the 7th at 2pm - Round 2 offers available online.
September the 9th at 3pm - Round 2 acceptances closing date.
September 15th at 10am - Round 3 offers available online.
September 17th at 3pm - Round 3 acceptances closing date.
September 22nd at 10am Round 4 offers available online.
September 24th at 3pm Round 4 acceptances closing date.
September 29th at 10am - Round 5 offers available online
October 1st at 3pm - Round 5 acceptances closing date.
CAO Available Places – Another Option to Consider
If some college courses still have places available after the CAO offers and waiting lists have been dealt with, colleges and universities may advertise these as Available Places on the CAO website. New courses that open after the Change of Mind deadline may also be listed.
If you have not already applied through the CAO, you can apply for an Available Place for a fee of €50. If you have already made a CAO application, you can apply for an Available Place free of charge when places are advertised.
It is important to remember that you must still meet the minimum entry requirements for the course. The points from an earlier CAO round do not necessarily apply to an Available Place, so don’t assume that a course is out of reach based on its previous points.
Available Places can provide a useful second chance to explore courses that still have vacancies, so it is worth checking the CAO website regularly if you are still considering your options.
Don't make decisions based on panic
Results day can sometimes feel as though everything needs to be decided immediately. It doesn't.
If the results are better than expected, take a breath before making decisions. If they are disappointing, take a breath too. Give yourself time to process the result before deciding what it means for your future.
The Leaving Cert is one milestone in a much longer journey. A particular course, college or points total does not determine future success.
There are many different ways to reach a career, and sometimes the route that initially looks like a setback can lead to an opportunity that had never been considered.
Where can you get help?
The State Examinations Commission Candidate helpline will be available at 1800 111 135 or 1800 111 136 from 9am to 5pm from Friday, August 21st. Queries can also be emailed to candidateportal@examinations.ie.
The Institute of Guidance Counsellors (IGC) and National Parents Council Post Primary (NPCPP) will also run their annual helpline for students, parents and guardians around results and CAO offers running from Friday the 21st to Saturday the 29th of August. Calls are free to 1800 265 165 or text 086 1800 685 where queries are answered by qualified guidance counsellors.
Most importantly, remember that there is no single route to a successful future. The Leaving Cert may open some doors, but it does not determine where you will go. Your potential extends far beyond a points total.
Most of all, take time to celebrate, enjoy the moment and recognise that reaching this milestone is an achievement in itself!