Leaving Cert 2026: Key Dates for Results, CAO Offers and Appeals
Students across Ireland navigating the Leaving Cert 2026 results cycle face a compressed calendar of deadlines for script viewings, college offers, and grade appeals, according to guidance counsellor Donnchadh O’Mahony. The State Examinations Commission released results accompanied by a strict sequence of administrative windows managed through the Candidate Self Service Portal.
Candidate Self Service Portal Component Marks
According to guidance provided via Leaving Cert Guidance, students logging into the Candidate Self Service Portal on Tuesday, 25 August 2026 at 12pm gained access to their component marks for individual subject sections. Mr. O’Mahony advised candidates to calculate these component marks into percentages to evaluate how close their scores sit to the threshold of the next grade boundary.
Script Viewing and Application Deadlines
Applications to view Leaving Cert scripts opened online on Tuesday, 25 August 2026 at 5pm. Students can view their marked scripts online beginning Saturday, 29 August 2026 at 9am for a strict 24-hour window closing at 9am on Sunday, 30 August 2026. “On Saturday, while you might be celebrating down at Electric Picnic, you’ll be able to view your scripts online so find a good spot with internet to do this,” Mr. O’Mahony stated. Applications to formally appeal results must be submitted through the portal during a narrow window running from 10am on Sunday, 30 August until the final deadline on Monday, 31 August 2026 at 5pm. The State Examinations Commission set up a candidate helpline at 1800 111 135 and 1800 111 136 to assist students.
CAO First Round Offers and Available Places
Central Applications Office (CAO) first round offers begin on Wednesday, 26 August 2026 at 2pm. Following the initial offers, the CAO Available Places facility opens on Thursday, 27 August 2026 at 12pm. This system lists college courses with unfilled vacancies, welcoming applications from both existing applicants and new candidates who decide to pursue a higher education place. “Last year, you thought you didn’t want to go to college and now you think you want to get that college experience,” Mr. O’Mahony explained regarding the facility. “Any courses that are not going to be filled will be on Available Places, both Level 8 and Level 6,7 courses.”
Appeals and Helpline Support
The State Examinations Commission Candidate Portal helpline remains operational from 9am to 5pm through the initial release period to assist applicants with portal access and technical queries ahead of the appeal submission deadline.