Grade inflation eased to 5.9pc but was largely offset by a record almost 90,000 CAO applications and nearly 20,000 re-applicants from previous Leaving Cert years. The pandemic-era average 7pc boost equated to roughly 60 extra points per student, and the reduction to 5.9pc trimmed that advantage by about 10 points. Top H1 grades fell to 11.7pc from 14–15pc, but intense pressure remained across many courses as points rose at institutions including Trinity and UCD. Only 51pc of Level 8 offers were for applicants' first preferences, down from 56pc last year.
While grade inflation eased, it was offset by the record number of CAO applications, hitting almost 90,000 this year. Significantly, applicants included almost 20,000 Leaving Cert candidates from previous years, likely to include many from 2024 who have the benefit of an average 7pc artificial boost to their results, when compared with pre-pandemic levels. The 7pc increase translated into an average additional 60 points per student and, with grade inflation reduced to 5.9pc this year, that 60-point boost is reduced by an average of about 10 points.
This year's results saw a decline in the number of top grades, with the proportion on H1s down to 11.7pc from 14-15pc in recent years. This may have acted as a valve at the very pinnacle of the points scale, but the immense pressure in the system is evident elsewhere. Just over half (51pc) of Level 8 (honours degrees) offers made this afternoon were for the applicant's first preference course, while 80pc were for one of their top three preferences.
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