IB to CAO Points Conversion 2026: The Complete Irish Guide

Key Takeaways:

• The Conversion Metric: The Central Applications Office (CAO) maps your total International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma score directly into CAO points. A perfect 45 IB points translates to a flawless 600 CAO points.
• The 25-Point Maths Bonus: Just like domestic students, IB students are awarded an additional 25 CAO points if they achieve a Grade 4 or higher in Higher Level (HL) Mathematics.
• Basic Matriculation Rule: Before points are calculated, you must hold the full IB Diploma and present at least three subjects at Higher Level (minimum Grade 5) and three subjects at Standard Level (minimum Grade 4).
• The Medicine Catch: If you are applying for Medicine (which requires the HPAT), your CAO score is artificially capped. IB scores of 44 and 45 both yield a moderated maximum of 560 points for medical entry.

The Irish university system heavily targets International Baccalaureate (IB) students. With its global standardization and intense academic rigor, the IB Diploma is viewed by the Central Applications Office (CAO) as a premier qualification, perfectly preparing applicants for the demands of Irish Higher Education.

However, because the IB Diploma is scored out of a maximum of 45 points, and the Irish system operates on a 625-point scale, the CAO utilizes a highly specific equivalency matrix to rank international students fairly against domestic Leaving Certificate students.

Whether you are an Irish expat returning from Dubai or an international student utilizing the European Union fee structures, you cannot blindly guess your academic standing. A single point dropped on your IB Extended Essay can cost you over 10 CAO points in Ireland.

This comprehensive 2026 guide breaks down the official IB to CAO conversion table, explains how to trigger the lucrative Higher Level Mathematics bonus, and outlines the strict administrative timeline required to secure your university seat.

1. The 2026 IB to CAO Points Conversion Matrix

When evaluating an IB student, the CAO does not look at your individual subject grades (e.g., scoring a 6 in Chemistry) to generate your points. Instead, they take your Overall IB Diploma Score (which includes your six subjects plus your Core points from TOK and the Extended Essay) and run it through a direct conversion table.

Official CAO IB Equivalency Scale

Overall IB Score	Irish CAO Points Equivalent
45 Points	600 Points
44 Points	600 Points
43 Points	592 Points
42 Points	577 Points
41 Points	565 Points
40 Points	553 Points
39 Points	532 Points
38 Points	520 Points
37 Points	508 Points
36 Points	496 Points
35 Points	481 Points

(Note: IB scores below 35 continue to scale downward proportionally. An IB score of 24, which is the minimum required to pass the diploma, generally yields just under 300 CAO points).

2. Interactive IB to CAO Points Calculator

Use this tool to calculate exactly where your predicted IB grades place you on the Irish CAO scale, including the critical mathematics bonus calculation.

Key insight: The CAO table caps the base conversion at 600 points. The only way to achieve the absolute maximum of 625 CAO points is to score 44 or 45 in the IB and secure the 25-point Higher Level Maths bonus.

3. The 25-Point Higher Level Maths Bonus

The Irish government heavily incentivizes advanced STEM education. To mirror the Leaving Certificate bonus, the CAO grants a massive point boost to IB students who excel in mathematics.

The Rule: If you achieve a Grade 4 or higher in a Higher Level (HL) Mathematics course, the CAO will add a flat 25 bonus points to your final score.

• Acceptable Courses: Both Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches (HL) and Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation (HL) are accepted for the bonus.
• The Exception: You receive zero bonus points for Standard Level (SL) Mathematics, regardless of how high your grade is.

4. Basic Matriculation Requirements for IB Students

A high points tally is useless if you fail the basic university entry requirements. The CAO points algorithm is completely blind; it will give you 530 points for an IB score of 39, but the university admissions office will instantly reject your application if you do not meet their foundational standards.

Standard Matriculation Rules (Level 8 Degrees):

To be eligible for an Honours Bachelor Degree at institutions like UCD, Trinity College, or University of Galway, an IB student must present:

1. The full, completed IB Diploma. (Individual IB Course Certificates are not legally accepted in Ireland for matriculation).
2. At least three subjects at Higher Level (minimum Grade 5).
3. At least three subjects at Standard Level (minimum Grade 4).
4. These six subjects must include English, Mathematics, and typically a second recognized language (such as French, Spanish, or your native language).

Specific Course Traps: Always check the university prospectus for your desired course. For example, to study Engineering at Trinity College, you must specifically have a minimum of a Grade 5 in Higher Level Mathematics. If you only took Standard Level Maths, your application will be voided.

5. Applying for Medicine (The Moderation Rule)

If you are an EU applicant using the IB to apply for Undergraduate Medicine in Ireland, you must understand the 550-Point Moderation Rule.

Because Medicine requires the HPAT-Ireland entrance exam, the universities deliberately suppress high CAO points to level the playing field. Any CAO points achieved over the 550 mark are divided by five.

• IB Score 40 = 553 CAO points. (This equates to 551 moderated points for Medicine).
• IB Score 44/45 = 600 CAO points. (This is severely penalized and equates to a maximum of 560 moderated points for Medicine).

The difference between an IB student who scores 40 and an IB student who scores 45 is mathematically reduced to a mere 9 points. Your entry into medical school will rely almost entirely on your performance in the HPAT exam, not on securing a flawless IB Diploma.

6. The Application Timeline

The IB results timeline aligns perfectly with the Irish system, meaning you will receive your CAO offers in Round 1 alongside domestic students. However, the administrative steps are fiercely rigid.

1.Initial CAO Application:Deadline: February 1, 2026.

Register an account on cao.ie and pay the €30 fee. You must declare that you are sitting the International Baccalaureate in the ‘Qualifications and Assessments’ section.

2.Authorize the IBO:Action required in Spring.

You must instruct your IB Coordinator to send your results electronically to the CAO. You do this by logging into the secure IBO candidate site and selecting the Central Applications Office (Ireland) as an authorized recipient institution.

3.Results Released:Early July.

The IBO releases your final diploma results. Because you authorized the transfer, these results are pinged directly into the CAO database in Galway. You do not need to physically mail paper transcripts.

4.Round 1 Offers:Late August.

The CAO automatically converts your IB score using the matrix and issues your university offer via email and the online portal.

Ensure Your Foundation is Secure

Navigating a foreign application system requires absolute precision. While the conversion matrix tells you your overall score, it is vital to remember that the CAO evaluates you exactly as it evaluates an Irish student.

Before you finalize your CAO preferences in May, cross-reference your IB subject selections against the strict Irish language rules by reading our guide on Basic Matriculation Requirements vs CAO Points. If your calculated IB points are pushing you toward the top of the Irish academic tiers, but you are anxious about the sheer volume of applicants competing for those seats, make sure you understand how the algorithm breaks ties.