ISK 3RD YEAR SUBJECT CHOICE

Before We Start Each of your children should have a copy of their CATS results Helpful Aid in subject choice but remember just an aid. Any questions on the CATS can be taken by Ms Pierce later

Implications of TY Those who don’t do TY will go in to 5th Year & then do the LC in 6th year All options (apart from Life Skills) will be available to 5th Year students LCVP- Option between it and App Maths in 5th Year. Students who meet requirements for it (Booklet) can do it for the LC and there will be classes for it in 6th Year Gaisce no longer in the timetable in 5th Year but can still be pursued independently by students. Repeat LC Year will still be available but can’t guarantee that each Repeat Student will get specific classes for all their subjects but every effort will be made as always– Reason ( staffing resources moving to TY). Students in Non- dedicated Repeat Classes will be in the new 6th Year Classes

Junior Cycle to Senior Cycle Subject choice in Third Year has consequences for Leaving Cert & Beyond. Number of Subjects in School Sliding Scale of examinable subjects from 1st Year to Leaving Cert Examinable Subjects are reduced to 7 (7th subject is insurance) by the Leaving Cert.

Leaving Cert Points Scoring System   The top 6 subjects are used to calculate points.   One sitting of the Leaving Certificate will be counted for points purposes. Entry to a course will be granted to those who have highest points Colleges do not set the points The points reflect: the results of the student and the number of places available in the college in that year

Leaving Cert Points System

A GUIDE TO LEAVING CERTIFICATE SUBJECT CHOICE English, Irish & Maths are compulsory for the LC unless you have an exemption Students then choose ANY FOUR subjects from the following:   BUSINESS GROUP: Business, Accounting,Economics LANGUAGES: French, German, Spanish. SOCIAL STUDIES: History, Geography, Art Home Economics, Music. SCIENCE GROUP: Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Agricultural Science. APPLIED SCIENCE GROUP: Construction Studies, Design Communications Graphics Students must also choose ONE from: Applied Mathematics or LCVP. (Information on EACH subject is in the Booklet)

Minimum Considerations in Leaving Cert Subject Choice ABILITY - choose subjects in which you are likely to get good grades.   APTITUDES - The CATS consisted of 4 different tests. The results show where your greatest strengths lie. Your child will cope well with subjects for which he/she has an aptitude. INTEREST - Choose subjects that are genuinely of interest as these are much more likely to be studied properly for and therefore done well in. CAREER - In addition to the core subjects (Irish, English, Maths) there are other subjects that are essential for some courses and careers.

Practical Considerations:Matriculation / Minimum Entry Requirements Matriculation Requirements The minimum academic qualification for entry that a Third Level College demands from a student. Each course will have a list of mimium entry requirement – these are a mixture of subjects & grades NUI Matriculation requirements : Candidates must obtain a pass in at least six subjects selected according to college/faculty requirements, as set out in 4.1 above, with at least Grade H5 in two subjects on the Higher Course and at least Grade H7 (Higher Course) or O6 (Ordinary Course) in four subjects.

Practical Considerations: Foreign Language Requirement N.B. A foreign language is essential for entry to many courses in the N.U.I. Colleges- U.C.D, N.U.I Maynooth, N.U.I Galway and U.C.C. Entry into the Cadetships in the Defence Forces & into NCAD also requires a foreign language Details on subject requirements are available on the following websites: www.qualifax.ie (Students- Subject Choice option on the right hand side links Leaving Cert. subjects to CAO courses, subjects and grades). www.qualifax.ie (Students–Useful Tools– Minimum Subject Requirements) careers.nuim.ie (Students & Graduates subject skills & work). www.education.ie (Curriculum, Syllabus & Teaching Guides) www.examinations.ie

Practical Considerations: Subjects Foreign Language – NUI Primary School Teaching– Higher Level Irish Check Maths requirement in many courses (Qualifax) Dietetics – Chemistry (Alternatives -Nutrition, Food Science) Medicine – 2 Science Subjects Nursing – 1 Science Subject BROAD SUBJECT CHOICE IS BEST

To Find Out More About Subjects Booklet Online: Type www.careersportal.ie into the internet search engine. Choose ‘@ school’ icon on the home page Click on “Leaving Cert’ button on the next page & on bottom RHS of next page there is detailed information on all Leaving Cert subjects Research the course content, past grades, and career links of the various subjects that you are considering. Subject Information

TO FIND COLLEGE COURSES THAT MAY/MAY NOT REQUIRE CERTAIN SUBJECTS www.qualifax.ie   Click on ‘Students’ ‘Useful Tools’ (left hand column) Minimum Subject Requirements

Other Useful Websites www.careerdirections.ie www.studentfinance.ie   www.studentfinance.ie www.accesscollege.ie www.gotocollege.ie www.ncca.ie (full subject curriculum)

SUBJECT CHOICE & CAREER CHOICE Choice of subjects may have implications in Career Choice. It is important to be aware of Specific Subject Requirements for certain careers - these mainly relate to Science subjects and foreign languages. A Science subject (or in some cases 2 Science subjects) are necessary for a career in Science, Medical/Paramedical fields, Architecture and Engineering

3rd Year Subject Choice Forms Completed forms to be given to Mr O’Mahony by Friday the 13th of April

Points to Consider When Choosing Subjects Research each subject using websites like www.careersportal.ie & www.qualifax.ie -Talk to senior students, parents, teachers in the school Choose subjects that are required for future careers and college courses. Choose subjects that you are interested in and prepared to work at. Choose subjects that you feel will help you to maximise your points.

Points for Students to Ignore What subjects their friends are choosing Like or Dislike of Teacher If they think the subject will be easy Don’t choose a subject without finding out more about it

And Finally... This Information will go up on ww.isk.ie ANY QUESTIONS?