Guidance Newsletters
Subject Choice Programme for Transition Year 2026
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Stage 1: CAT 4s
Students to sit exam: Tuesday 22nd January
What is CAT4?
The CAT4 (Cognitive Abilities Test, Fourth Edition) is a diagnostic assessment that measures students' reasoning skills (Verbal, Quantitative, Non-Verbal, Spatial) to understand their learning styles, academic potential, and identify needs for support or challenge, rather than just subject attainment, helping teachers tailor learning.
It tests how students think and solve problems using words, numbers, shapes, and space, providing insights into their cognitive strengths for future learning pathway
What it tests for (The Four Areas)
- Verbal Reasoning: Thinking with words, expressing ideas, crucial for language-heavy subjects like English, History, and Geography.
- Quantitative Reasoning: Reasoning with numbers, essential for Maths, Science, and subjects like Physics or Engineering.
- Non-Verbal Reasoning: Solving problems using shapes and diagrams, important across many subjects, especially STEM.
- Spatial Reasoning: Visualizing and manipulating 3D shapes, vital for STEM and other subjects where spatial thinking is key.
Stage 2: Subject Choice Talk Delivered by Guidance Counsellors
Wednesday 4th of March – Canteen
The objective of this talk is to inform students of the general structure of the Leaving Certificate (Traditional) and the importance of subject choice. Below is an overview of the key information to be shared with students.
General Structure
- Core Subjects: Most students must take Irish, English, and Mathematics, unless exempt.
- Subject Choice: Students generally choose additional subjects based on their interests and third-level course entry requirements, such as a science or a third language.
- Levels: Subjects are usually offered at two levels: Higher Level and Ordinary Level. Irish and Maths also have a Foundation Level.
- Assessment Components: Assessment can involve a combination of:
- Written examinations (the most common).
- Oral examinations (e.g., in languages).
- Aural (listening) examinations (e.g., in languages).
- Practical examinations and coursework/portfolios (e.g., in Art, LCVP Link Modules, or Construction Studies).
- Grading System: A common 8-point grading scale is used. Grades at Higher Level are prefixed with 'H' (H1 to H8) and at Ordinary Level with 'O' (O1 to O8).
- CAO Points: For entry into higher education, the points from a student's best six subjects in a single sitting of the Leaving Cert are counted using the Common Points Scale. Bonus points are awarded for a H6 or higher in Higher Level Mathematics.
Subject choice in the Leaving Certificate is important primarily because it directly impacts your eligibility for third-level courses, your overall CAO points potential, and your engagement and motivation during the two-year cycle. The choices made have long-term consequences for your future career and educational pathways.
Stage 3: Options Teachers Talk
Subject Teachers give information about their subjects to students. This gives an opportunity for students to ask subject specific questions. This will run over 2 hours as the teachers rotate. With Senior Cycle reform currently underway it is important that students make informed decisions about subject and have an awareness of project components and subject requirements.
STAGE 4: Peer Subject Choice Event
Current 5th Year students selected by their subject options teachers are given a stand where they will be asked to display their copies, book and any additional materials (eg project work) they are currently completing in their 5th Year Subject Options.
The TYs will be given an opportunity to ask their peers practical questions about the subjects they are considering.
Stage 5: Feedback 1:1 with Guidance Counsellor
How CAT exams are used in 1:1 Feedback
Identifies Potential: Reveals a student's innate ability, contrasting it with their performance to show if they are reaching their potential.
Informs Teaching: Helps teachers decide the right pace, provide extra help, or offer more challenging work.
Guides Subject Choice: Suggests subjects where a student's potential aligns with the skills needed.
Highlights Barriers: Pinpoints areas where a student struggles, indicating potential learning challenges.
Students will also have an opportunity to discuss their future pathway and what subjects may be necessary to take for the Leaving Cert to ensure minimum entry requirements are met for third level.
Next Steps:
Students will then be in a position to make an informed choice about their Subject Choices for Senior Cycle.
Students will be asked to complete and return Subject Choice form highlighting their preferences.
NB: This is not a guarantee of subject choice.