ISK 3RD YEAR SUBJECT CHOICE

Before We Start This presentation is available on www.isk.ie Just go to curriculum on the home page.

CATs Each of your children will receive a copy of their CAT results In the mean time parents have also received a copy & Ms Titus will explain the report to you now. Helpful aid in subject choice but remember just an aid

Implications of TY TY is not Compulsory Those who don’t do TY will go in to 5th Year All options will be available to 5th Year students 5th Year Students can choose Applied Maths or LCVP. Those students who don’t want to pursue LCVP or who are ineligible for it will have 2 study periods in 6th Year Gaisce can be pursued independently in 5th Year outside of school 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 – 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. Sliding Scale of examinable subjects from 1st Year to Leaving Cert Examinable Subjects are reduced from 11 to 7

A GUIDE TO LEAVING CERTIFICATE SUBJECT CHOICE English, Irish & Maths are compulsory for the LC unless you have an exemption Students then choose FOUR subjects from the following:- Accounting, Business, Economics,History, Geography Agricultural Science, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, German, Spanish, French. Home Economics, Music, Art, Design Communication Graphics ,Construction Studies Students also choose ONE from: Applied Mathematics or LCVP

Subject Groupings SUBJECT GROUPINGS Subjects can be are grouped into the following categories:   BUSINESS GROUP: Business, Accounting,Economics LANGUAGES: French, German, Spanish. SOCIAL SCIENCES: History, Geography, PRACTICAL SUBJECTS: Home Economics, Art, Music SCIENCE GROUP: Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Agricultural Science. APPLIED SCIENCE GROUP: Construction Studies, Design Communications Graphics, Applied Mathematics

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

Minimum Considerations in Leaving Cert Subject Choice ABILITY - choose subjects in which you are likely to get good grades.   APTITUDES - The Differential Aptitude Tests consist of eight different tests. The results show where your greatest strengths lie. You will cope well with subjects for which you have an aptitude. INTEREST - Choose subjects that you are genuinely interested in as you are much more likely to study those subjects and do well in them. CAREER - In addition to the core subjects (Irish, English, Maths) there are other subjects that are essential for some courses and careers.

Leaving Cert Points System

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

Matriculation Matriculation Requirements The minimum academic qualification for entry that a Third Level College demands from a student. 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.

To Find Out More About Subjects 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.curriculumonline.ie www.careersportal.com www.studentfinance.ie www.accesscollege.ie   www.gotocollege.ie www.ncca.ie

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

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... ANY QUESTIONS?