Unravelling
SUBJECT CHOICE
on entry
to the
LEAVING CERTIFICATE CYCLE 2015
St Angela's College
Wellington Road, Cork
Why do we regard
subject choice as
so important?
Entry
Requirements
• Choosing subjects
NOT in keeping with
a student’s interests
and aptitudes
can affect performance
Facilitates
an easier
2 years
of study
Where does a student look to for help
and advice on Subject Choice?
Taster Modules in each LC subject
Aptitude Testing and feedback / advice
Subject Choice talks
Subject Choice booklet
Aptitude Information Booklet
Information on Entry Requirements and Subjects
Class group work
Individual appointments
Consultation with Subject / Module Teachers
Work Experience
Career notice boards / Career Library
TY college experiences and programmes
Lectures and experiences as part of your TY programme
What information do they have to help them?
Career Library in school
7 Subjects in Total at School
Irish
+ 3 more
English
Maths
French or
German
GEOGRAPHY
PHYSICS
ACCOUNTING
ART
CHEMISTRY
BUSINESS
MUSIC
BIOLOGY
- 10 to choose from -
HISTORY
GERMAN
SOCIAL & SCIENTIFIC
(Home Economics)
NO
LIMITS
initially
Choice 1
Choice 2
Choice 3
Choice 4
6 subjects
in school
5 subjects in
school
5 subjects in
school + 1
outside
6 subjects
in school
Limits what
you can
apply for
=6
subjects
Same as
previous
+1
outside
eg. PLC
Colleges
More
opportunity
to apply for
colleges
Easier to
manage as
they are all
in school
1 fallback/
eg. Level
6/7 Degrees
- CIT
egs. UCC,
CIT.
Limits how
many points
you can get
Best 6
subjects
counted for
Points CAO
purposes
Total = 600
Total = 625
“What happens if I
have an Exemption
and I don’t have 7
subjects???”
insurance
subject
What is involved in each subject option?
Talking to Teachers
Looking at
curriculum
websites
Going through
the LC
textbooks
www.curriculumonline.ie
www.education.ie
www.careersportal.ie
www.ncca.ie
What kind of a learner is your daughter?
Career Categories
Manual / Outdoor
Practical
Scientific
Artistic / Creative
Administrative / Business
Understanding / Social
Influential / People Contact
Helpful websites?
www.careerdirections.ie
www.gradireland.com
www.qualifax.ie
www.careersportal.ie
-
Gap Year
/ Deferral
Private
Colleges
FÁS/SOLAS
Apprenticeship
Defence
Forces
Work
What options
are there
after school??
European or
American
Universities
UCAS
PLC
Colleges. eg.
College of
Commerce
Level 7/6
Ordinary
Level
Degree /
Higher
Certificate
- ITs
Level 8
Honours
Degree in a
college or
university
eg.
CSN
eg.
CIT,
PLC
eg.
CIT
eg.
CIT,
UCC
- PLC Colleges (Application, Entry
Requirements and
Interview)
- Defence Forces (Recruitment
Campaign and
Application)
- Private Colleges (Direct Application
/ CAO)
- Institutes of
Technology (eg. CIT)
CAO / Points
Entry Requirements
Apprenticeships
FÁS / SOLAS
Third Level
Colleges in
Ireland
CAO / Points
- UCAS –
Northern
Ireland, England,
Scotland, Wales
Other
GRADE
HIGHER
LOWER
%
MARK
Points for Honours Maths
A1
100
60
90 – 100
+25 = 125
A2
90
50
85 - 89
+25 = 115
B1
85
45
80 - 84
+25 = 110
B2
80
40
75 - 79
+25 = 105
B3
75
35
70 - 74
+25 = 100
C1
70
30
65 - 69
+25 = 95
C2
65
25
60 - 64
+25 = 90
C3
60
20
55 - 59
+25 = 85
D1
55
15
50 - 54
+25 = 80
D2
50
10
45 - 49
+25 = 75
D3
45
5
40 - 44
+25 = 70
CAO
courses
Total of
600
OR 625
EirQuest Interest & Cambridge Profile Aptitude
Psychometric Assessment in school
• EirQuest
• Career Interest Test
• 200 questions
• JC subjects and
grades
• LC possibilities
• Choice to include
particular indicators
• Highlighted career
areas under
consideration
INTERESTS
SKILLS
ABILITIES
PERSONAL
QUALITIES
EirQuest / Interest...
• Individual Report gives
• RANKS 300 CAREERS
detailed information
IN 44 CAREER AREAS
on..
- INTEREST
• THEN MATCHES
YOUR PROFILE
INFORMATION
AGAINST YOUR
INTERESTS
• HIGHLIGHTS YOUR
STRENGTHS
Interests
Skills
Personality
Academic
Abilities