CAO: Four things you need to know before accepting an offerGrades are up significantly this year, so expect increased points for many programmesFri Sept 11 2020 - 02:00
Your CAO offer and how to respond to itMoment of truth for thousands of applicants as first college offers are issued today.Fri Sept 11 2020 - 01:23
How much will CAO points increase? All bets off this yearGrade inflation will send points upwards – but more college places may ease pressureThu Sept 10 2020 - 02:53
Have private schools lost out in the calculated grades process?Discrepancies in the way grades were lowered raises some urgent questionsTue Sept 08 2020 - 20:45
Alternative career routes boost options for school-leaversPractical, hands-on courses offer career progression and skills enhancement outside the traditional CAO systemTue Sept 08 2020 - 07:51
Leaving Cert 2020: What you need to know about the appeals processThis year’s process for appealing grades is very different to the usual systemTue Sept 08 2020 - 03:58
I’m worried I won’t get the CAO points I need. Are there alternatives?Ask Brian: Further education is excellent alternative route into many degree coursesTue Sept 08 2020 - 00:00
CAO 2020: Think before hitting the ‘accept’ tab for unexpected offerBy Friday evening colleges throughout the country will be processing acceptancesMon Sept 07 2020 - 07:26
Leaving Cert 2020: The end of a remarkable journeyIf you are unhappy with the grade you received, you can appeal this assessment.Mon Sept 07 2020 - 07:06
CAO points likely to increase across many coursesBrian Mooney: Greater number of grades at higher level could lead to third-level points jumpMon Sept 07 2020 - 06:00
Leaving Cert 2020: How the CAO determines points allocationsCAO points requirements are determined by a combination of factorsMon Sept 07 2020 - 00:00
Everything you need to know about the CAO process in 2020Tens of thousands of CAO applicants will receive offers of places on courses in round oneMon Sept 07 2020 - 00:00
Irish exam system puts student at centre to avoid UK’s grades shambles79% will get grade proposed by teacher, 17% will be downgraded and 4% upgradedTue Sept 01 2020 - 16:17
How can I help my son’s Leaving Cert study get back on track?Ask Brian: There are simple ways to help students re-engage after losing focus during Covid-19 lockdownTue Sept 01 2020 - 00:00
Brian Mooney: An escape route from Leaving Cert results chaosAbandoning calculated grades will bring its own problemsTue Aug 18 2020 - 15:53
My daughter plumped for single course in CAO application. Is this risky?Ask Brian: I strongly encourage all applicants to have a wide list of possible coursesTue Jun 30 2020 - 01:00
My daughter thinks she won’t get the points for medicine. Should she reconsider?Ask Brian: Points for some high-demand courses could end up droping this yearTue Jun 23 2020 - 00:00
My fifth-year son has fallen behind. Should I be worried?Ask Brian: The coming year’s Leaving Cert students are, by and large, in the same boatTue Jun 16 2020 - 00:00
Tough decisions ahead over college options in coronavirus eraProspective students have a lot to consider before deciding on third-level choiceTue Jun 09 2020 - 00:00
Will I be able to pick and mix my predicted grades with Leaving Cert results?Ask Brian: The good news is the class of 2020 will have lots of options to make the gradeTue Jun 09 2020 - 00:00
Should I defer going to college this year due to Covid-19 chaos?Ask Brian: Most lectures will be online and campus may be only partially openTue Jun 02 2020 - 00:00
Is it too late to apply for a postgraduate course in teaching?Ask Brian: There are still options available for both primary and post-primaryTue May 26 2020 - 07:38
CAO Q&A: Everything you need to know about the change of mind processBrian Mooney on how to approach the CAO process and get your course choice rightTue May 26 2020 - 07:38
CAO decision time: What should you study at college?Students have until July 1st to submit their final third level course options to the CAOTue May 26 2020 - 06:39
Key dates for CAO applicationsTimeline for the 2020 college application processTue May 26 2020 - 00:00
Will Leaving Cert ‘calculated grades’ be accepted by universities abroad?Ask Brian: About 2,000 students have applied for college courses in the UK or EuropeTue May 19 2020 - 00:00
I want to apply for a grant but am not sure I’ll get my course. Can I still apply?Ask Brian: You do not need your Leaving Cert results or to have accepted a course to submit an applicationTue May 12 2020 - 00:00
Teachers up against the clock to decide on Leaving Cert gradeParochialism of Irish society suggests weeks ahead may be uncomfortable for educatorsFri May 08 2020 - 19:15
Will Junior Cycle exam cancellation scupper my son’s plans to do an apprenticeship?Ask Brian: Junior Cycle is minimum entry requirements for many apprenticeshipsTue May 05 2020 - 00:00
How will Leaving Cert delay affect students going on to further education?Ask Brian: There are still many unanswered questions on how academic year may changeTue Apr 28 2020 - 00:00
My kids have too much homework and I’m struggling to cope. What can I do?Ask Brian: Regular communication between home and school is more important than everTue Apr 21 2020 - 00:40
Leaving Cert students in a stronger position than they may realiseAsk Brian: Covid-19 is likely to lead a to drop in CAO points for college coursesTue Apr 14 2020 - 00:00
How can I motivate my children to study at home?Ask Brian: Try to make learning fun for younger children and help older ones focusTue Apr 07 2020 - 00:00
How can I motivate my children to study during the school closures?Ask Brian: The effort which students make today will stand to them over timeTue Mar 31 2020 - 00:00
I work in hospitality and fear losing my job. How do I upskill?Ask Brian: Many underestimate the wide range of skills they have acquiredTue Mar 24 2020 - 00:00
Q&A: Is the cancellation of Junior and Leaving Cert orals fair to students?Ask Brian: Students will not be able to move from ordinary to higher to benefit from changesThu Mar 19 2020 - 19:49
My daughter wants a job combating climate change. Is this possible?Ask Brian: Engineering is a very practical way to address issues such as sustainabilityTue Mar 17 2020 - 00:00
Matching skills with labour market demandIn an increasingly competitive jobs market it is always worth considering what will set you apartTue Mar 10 2020 - 10:29
How to select the right postgraduate course for youAsk yourself what type of programme you wish to follow: research or taughtTue Mar 10 2020 - 10:26
My daughter in fifth class wants a mobile phone, but I don’t think she’s readyAsk Brian: Giving in to your child can buy short-term peace and quiet – but at what cost?Tue Mar 10 2020 - 00:00
Business degrees among the most popular choicesA qualification in business is a great investment in your future career and there is a huge selection to choose fromTue Mar 10 2020 - 00:00
Will I lose my saved data on course choices under changes to Qualifax?Ask Brian: Users’ accounts will be deleted soon – but it is possible to protect your dataTue Mar 03 2020 - 00:00
I want to go back to college. Do I qualify for any grants or financial supports?Ask Brian: There are a range of funding schemes available for mature studentsTue Feb 25 2020 - 00:00
My son has a disability. Will he get reduced CAO points for his course?Ask Brian: There is a common misconception around how admission rules for school-leavers with disabilities operatesTue Feb 18 2020 - 00:00
My son says he’s got a college place and is now slacking off. Can this be true?Ask Brian: Most EU colleges offer places based on meeting minimum requirementsTue Feb 11 2020 - 00:00
My eldest child started secondary recently. Could you explain the Junior Cycle changes?Ask Brian: The reforms are built around eight key skills deemed crucial to prepare young people for the modern worldTue Feb 04 2020 - 00:00
My son still has no idea what course he wants. Should he still apply to the CAO?Ask Brian: College one of a range of options – and by no means the only oneTue Jan 28 2020 - 00:00
Can I use the Trinity matriculation exam for CAO points?Ask Brian: TCD hosts two matriculation exams in April in geology and biblical studiesTue Jan 21 2020 - 00:00
CAO countdown: Last-minute tips before the college applicationLooming deadline for discounted online registration expires on Monday at 5.15pmMon Jan 20 2020 - 00:01
CAO Countdown: Focus on your interests, not high-point coursesIt is wrong to view third-level options totally through prism of points requirementsFri Jan 17 2020 - 01:00
