Counting the Cost of 25 Bonus Points: Are Students Losing Out?

22/10/2025 3 min
Counting the Cost of 25 Bonus Points: Are Students Losing Out?

Listen "Counting the Cost of 25 Bonus Points: Are Students Losing Out?"

Episode Synopsis

25 bonus points in the CAO are granted to students who earn at least a H6 in Higher Level Maths.This is a tale as old as time in a very controversial system.No additional points are given to students who score highly at Ordinary level for Maths.The bonus points are not added to your overall CAO points, however they are added to the points awarded for Maths.This allows students to then consider Maths as part of their best 6 subjects.This week, Ollie and Dymphna were joined in studio by two secondary school students on work experience.They were Orlaith Carroll from Coláiste Cois Siúire, Mooncoin and Ava Kiely-Albayrak from St. Augustine's College, Dungarvan.Ava, who says she struggles in Maths and is more comfortable with 'right-side of the brain' subjects wants to see changes made.She believes the 25 points are something she won't achieve and therefore leaves students 'at a disadvantage.'Press play to listen back in full.