‘My daughter has no idea what to do after the Leaving Cert’Ask Brian: Don’t fret — there is no pressure on your daughter to choose a course or career pathway at this stageTue Sept 20 2022 - 00:00
My son isn’t sure about accepting his CAO offer. Can you help?There are lots of options ranging a gap-year to Post Leaving Cert courses and apprenticeshipsTue Sept 13 2022 - 00:00
CAO offers: Colleges make concerted effort to minimise random selection for coursesColleges make concerted effort to minimise courses where random selection occursFri Sept 09 2022 - 01:00
CAO 2022: Six takeaways from this year’s college offersPoints remain high this year - but more than half secured their first choiceThu Sept 08 2022 - 18:13
Your CAO offer and how to respond to itMoment of truth arrives for thousands of applicants as first college offers are issuedThu Sept 08 2022 - 01:00
Other opportunities beckon beyond the CAO - here’s some alternativesThere are alternatives to the traditional route to further your educationTue Sept 06 2022 - 01:00
Opportunity knocks at the business end of further educationApplying for a further education course can be a first step towards a higher level qualificationTue Sept 06 2022 - 00:38
My son cannot find college accommodation. Can he switch his top CAO choice?Applicants are well advised to check accommodation options prior to deciding on a courseTue Sept 06 2022 - 00:00
Should I defer my college place? Your Leaving Cert and CAO questions answeredBrian Mooney on students’ queries to The Irish Times Leaving Cert Results 2022 helpdeskFri Sept 02 2022 - 20:46
Leaving Cert 2022: Grades adjusted upwards in effort to tackle grade inflationLeveling the playing field for the class of 2022 creates an identical problem for next year’s studentsFri Sept 02 2022 - 06:00
Five takeaways from Leaving Cert 2022Inflated grades, CAO points pressure and concerns over the integrity of grades are key talking pointsFri Sept 02 2022 - 06:00
CAO: What to expect from the application process in 2022Will acceptances return to pre-pandemic levels this year?Fri Sept 02 2022 - 01:00
Leaving Cert results: Your first task will be to turn the grades into pointsNo matter what the outcome, it is worth remembering that success comes in many formsFri Sept 02 2022 - 01:00
I’m worried my son will miss out on CAO points. What options does he have?The best support parents can offer is to remain calm and be aware of various timelines around offers and rechecksTue Aug 30 2022 - 00:00
Who should consider an FE course?Education for life is about so much more than progressing exclusively through third-level educationTue Jun 28 2022 - 00:55
Further education: a five-point checklistTailor your questions to suit your interests and needsTue Jun 28 2022 - 00:45
Why are fewer teachers signing up to mark the State exams?State Examinations Commissions is under pressure to find enough examinersTue May 31 2022 - 00:00
Two weeks to go: the do’s and don’ts of the run-up to the Leaving CertIf managed properly, you can still boost your potential grade performanceTue May 24 2022 - 00:00
My daughter wants to be a pilot. How can I help her dreams take flight?Journey to becoming an airline pilot is demanding and expensiveTue May 24 2022 - 00:00
I want to do my bit to save the planet. Is there a college course for me?Interest in environment-related courses has grown hugely in recent timesTue May 17 2022 - 00:00
Important dates for 2022 CAO applicationsTimeline for this year’s college application processTue May 10 2022 - 01:00
Thinking of changing your CAO course selection?Time to review your selection in order to get them right by the July 1st deadlineTue May 10 2022 - 01:00
It’s time to decide on your college course choicesShould you change your choice? Review your courses now and reap the rewards laterTue May 10 2022 - 01:00
There have never been more options for school leaversMany programmes are designed with local employers and are attuned to their needsTue May 10 2022 - 01:00
My daughter wants to go to a grind school – I’m not so sure it’s a good ideaThe older age profile of today’s Leaving Cert students means more want to make decisions for themselvesTue May 10 2022 - 00:00
Could my daughter lose out on a college place by not checking her CAO emails?Ask Brian: It is crucial to ensure there are no errors in students’ college applicationsTue May 03 2022 - 00:00
Should I organise work experience for my daughter in transition year?Offering too much support can detract from the benefits of securing work experienceTue Apr 26 2022 - 00:00
Technological universities to build on strengths of sectorFocus on science and tech programmes that are vocationally and professionally orientedTue Apr 26 2022 - 00:00
My daughter is worried about high CAO points for nursing. Are there other options?Ask Brian: Even if she misses out on points, there are alternative entry routes availableThu Apr 21 2022 - 12:00
My son has listed just four CAO courses in UCD and Trinity. Is this risky?My advice to all CAO applicants is to use all available slots on your formTue Apr 12 2022 - 00:00
I’m inspired by how science fought Covid-19. Can you recommend a college course?There are a range of excellent programmes in areas from biology to biotechnologyTue Apr 05 2022 - 00:00
Leaving Cert changes: Teacher assessment to trigger most resistanceAnalysis: Examination reforms aim to modernise how children engage with senior cycleTue Mar 29 2022 - 15:19
I work in a private school. Is my job secure?Ask Brian: Debate over funding for fee-charging sector casts spotlight on who pays teachersTue Mar 29 2022 - 00:00
My son is anxious about the Leaving Cert Irish orals. Any last minute advice?It is essential to know the structure and marking scheme of the test in advanceTue Mar 22 2022 - 00:00
My daughter has Asperger’s. Is she entitled to reduced CAO points?Ask Brian: Access routes don’t guarantee lower points but can be hugely advantageousTue Mar 15 2022 - 00:00
‘I worry that high CAO points will end my dreams of becoming a doctor’Ask Brian: If it’s the right occupation for you, there are ways of achieving your goalTue Mar 08 2022 - 00:00
What skills are needed in the current economic climate?A postgrad may help you gain in-demand skills to match the needs of employersMon Mar 07 2022 - 16:38
How to differentiate between postgrad coursesA specialised qualification can help you change career direction or gain new skillsSat Mar 05 2022 - 01:00
I’ve no idea what course to choose. What can I do?Making important life decisions is never easy - but there are tools to helpTue Mar 01 2022 - 00:00
How can I teach my students more about how the EU shapes their lives?Ask Brian: New programmes and grants targeted at schools are now availableTue Feb 22 2022 - 00:00
How will grade inflation affect the class of 2022?The fairness of some aspects of the college application system is open to questionTue Feb 15 2022 - 06:30
My son wants to do transition year – but is a ‘doss year’ a good idea?Ask Brian: TY can be transformative in the development of a wide range of skillsTue Feb 08 2022 - 00:00
Q&A: What should students do to take full advantage of Leaving Cert changes?Written exams from 2021 offer a good template for what to expect next JuneTue Feb 01 2022 - 19:06
My son says he’ll lose his PUP payment if he takes up a further education courseAsk Brian: This is a dilemma being played out in many homes up and down the countryTue Feb 01 2022 - 10:47
Why aren’t we teaching pupils more about the EU?Ask Brian: Neglect in schools could prove costly if we fail to address itTue Jan 25 2022 - 00:00
My daughter is very environmentally aware, are there viable careers in this area?Ask Brian: Horticulture graduates are in demand and employed across many areasTue Jan 18 2022 - 00:00
What will you do after completing the Leaving Cert?Options to consider – and reasons to be cheerful – when selecting your move after the examTue Jan 11 2022 - 07:34
What will CAO points requirements look like in 2022?CAO 2022: Most applicants get an outcome which enables them to successfully progress to the next stage of their educational journeyTue Jan 11 2022 - 01:01
Key dates for 2022 CAO applicationsTimeline for this year’s college application processTue Jan 11 2022 - 01:00
Step-by-step guide to applying for a college place in 2022You need to register now to apply for college through the CAO, but you have until July 1st to make a final decision on your course choiceTue Jan 11 2022 - 01:00
