Main recommendations of the Commission

Leaving Certificate must continue to be "principal mechanism" for allocating third-level places.

Leaving Certificate must continue to be "principal mechanism" for allocating third-level places.

By 2005 each institute should set aside at least 15 per cent of its places for mature students.

Five per cent of the third-level intake should be reserved for disadvantaged students.

Need to broaden significantly what is measured in the Leaving Certificate examination.

Points and basic entry requirements for third level should be attained in the same sitting of the Leaving Certificate. Those sitting the exam for a third or subsequent time should have their points reduced by 10 per cent as a "disincentive".

Allocating bonus marks in Leaving Certificate to candidates answering through Irish should end.

Bonus points should not be given for specific subjects, for example higher level maths.

Third-level institutes should, where feasible, offer broad-based courses in first year to allow students to specialise at the end of their first year or later.

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