CAO Application Errors. Now is the time to Check application carefully

Each year, students miss out on college places due to simple mistakes in their CAO applications. In 2025, hundreds of applicants failed to receive Round One offers because of missing or incorrect details—an outcome that is entirely avoidable.

The Central Applications Office (CAO) is now asking 2026 applicants to log in and confirm their information. This is a critical moment to ensure everything is accurate.

 Remember the school guidance counsellor does not have access and cannot see the live application of the student. Errors do occur and the CAO firmly put the responsibility on the applicant to ensure the information is correct.

These are the most common errors; they cannot be rectified after the offers are made..

• Leaving Cert exam number is added
  This is essential. Without it, the CAO cannot match your child’s results from the State Examinations Commission.

• All qualifications are listed
  The CAO will only consider results that are entered on the application.

• Repeating students include past results
  Both the current and previous Leaving Cert details must be recorded.

• Exemptions are correctly noted
  Irish or second-language exemptions must appear on the CAO form—and may also require direct application to colleges.

Common mistakes that cost offers

• Ignoring CAO emails requesting missing details

• Incorrect or unmatched personal information

• Failing to check spam folders for important updates

• Not completing the final “confirm” step

• Not checking the correct entry requirements for a course.

• Repeat students not informing CAO of previous years results

• Incorrect exam number assigned to candidate by CAO, it is the responsibility of the student to amend this now.

Key deadlines to act on

• End of May: Final date to correct errors or omissions

• Early June: CAO updates all records

• July 1: Deadline to change course choices (with some restrictions)

What must be done now….

• Log into CAO account immediately when prompted

• Review all personal and academic information carefully

• Fix any errors before the deadline

• Scroll down and click “confirm” to finalise the application

Bottom line for all..

Yes—your  can lose a college offer due to incorrect CAO details. The risk is real, but preventable. A careful review now can make the difference between securing a place and missing out in August.