CIT Mathematics Exam

CIT Mathematics Examination – Table of equivalences for CAO 2017

CIT holds a Mathematics examination for applicants who have expressed an interest in any of its programmes that require certain minimum levels of performance in Mathematics. The purpose of this examination is to provide such applicants with a “second chance” opportunity to achieve these minimum Mathematics entry requirements.

The CIT Mathematics Examination is held in CIT in August, usually six days after the Leaving Certificate results are issued. Normally, this means that the results of the examination can be factored into CAO Round 2 Offers.

This CIT Mathematics Examination was approved by Governing Body at its meeting of 2 nd July 2009. At that time, this examination was presented as an alternative to the June Mathematics Entrance Examination1. The demand for the August examination increased over the period 2009-2011 and the June examination was discontinued in 2012.

The format of the CIT Mathematics Examination is as set out below. Paper 1 is compulsory for all candidates. Attendance for Paper 2 is optional and will normally be taken only by students who have studied the Leaving Certificate Higher Level course in part or entirety.

 Morning Paper One (2.5 hours, set at Leaving Certificate Ordinary Level)  Afternoon Paper Two (2.5 hours, set at Leaving Certificate Higher Level)

Important Information

 The CIT Mathematics Examination reflects the actual Mathematical requirements of CIT programmes. It is marked according to procedures and criteria set out by the Department of Mathematics at CIT.  This examination does not interfere with a candidate’s application for any other course in the CAO system.  CAO points are not awarded for this examination.  A pass in the CIT Mathematics Examination (i.e. 40% in Paper 1 or 40% overall) will allow an applicant to replace the Leaving Certificate Mathematics requirement of Grade D3 minimum with a Grade D3 minimum (Ordinary or Higher Level) in another Leaving Certificate subject.  Attaining a qualifying standard in the CIT Mathematics Examination does not in itself guarantee a place on any course in CIT. The cut-off points for all courses will still apply.

1 The June entrance examination was a clone of the Leaving Certificate Higher Level Mathematics examination, and it was set, moderated and marked by a team of external specialists with experience at second level. Table of Equivalences, 2009 to 2016 inclusive

The following table gives the equivalences in terms of entrance qualification levels between the CIT Mathematics Examination and CIT’s Leaving Certificate Mathematics entrance requirements, as operated from 2009 to 2016.

Equivalent Leaving Cert Maths Requirement in CIT Entrance Requirement Maths Examination 2009-2016 Higher Level C3 65% overall Higher Level D3/ Ordinary Level 85% in Paper 1 or 50% A2 overall 70% in Paper 1 or 45% Ordinary Level B3 overall 40% in Paper 1 or 40% Ordinary Level D3 overall

Requirement for revised table of equivalences, 2017 onwards

CIT Academic Council has previously considered the new common points scale to be effective for CAO 2017 onwards. In addition, Governing Body, at the recommendation of Council, has approved a revised set of minimum entrance requirements for CIT programmes.

The table of equivalences for the CIT Mathematics Examination must now be revised in light of this. The proposed revision is as set out below:

Equivalent Requirement in Leaving Cert Maths CIT Maths Examination 2017 Entrance Requirement onwards H4 70% average

H6 50% average

H7 40% average

O1 90% in Paper 1

O3 70% in Paper 1 or 40% average

O4 60% in Paper 1 or 35% average O6 40% in Paper 1 or 30% average

At its meeting on Friday 5th May, Academic Council mandated its Executive Committee to finalise a proposal for recommendation to Governing Body. The Head of Department of Mathematics has confirmed that no other changes to the examination are proposed.