By 1969, UCD had developed a points system for medicine and architecture to assist in offering a fair admissions process based on order of merit. The statistic that stands out the most is the figure of just over 1.5 million applicants who have accepted a CAO offer since 1977. The CAO has adapted over the years to meet the needs of applicants and the institutions that it serves. However, the CAO is always at pains to explain the difference between the CAO system and points. CAO points are decided by the principles of supply, demand and performance of applicants each year.

Source: The Irish Times March 10, 2026 14:31 UTC