Maths Entry Exam

The Maths Entry Exam scheme is designed to assist CAO applicants who have not achieved the required grade in mathematics for entry to SETU. It provides a ‘second chance’ opportunity to achieve the minimum maths entry requirements. 

Attaining a qualifying standard in the SETU Maths Entry Exam does not in itself guarantee a place on any course in SETU. The cut-off points and normal eligibility criteria will still apply. The SETU maths exam results count only with respect to explicit maths requirements. Offers are subject to available places in the next available round of CAO offers.

Upon application for the maths exam, it is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that they meet all other criteria for their chosen programme. The University will not check eligibility criteria until after the maths paper has been completed. The maths entry exam is comparable to the leaving certificate ordinary level paper. The content of this paper will be based on the leaving certificate (ordinary level) syllabus.

Note - Once you have applied through the CAO for a course at SETU you can sit the Maths Entry Exam at either the SETU Waterford or SETU Carlow campus. The result attained can be used for eligibility for relevant courses on all SETU campus’ regardless of which campus you sat the exam on. This means that you can use the Maths Entry Exam result for any of the SETU campuses.

Maths Entry Exam

The date for the 2023 SETU Maths Entry Exam is 31 August 2023. The Examination will take place at the SETU, Kilkenny Road, Carlow or at the SETU, Cork Road, Waterford campus. You can select your campus in the online application form below.

  • Paper 1:  9.30am – 12 noon
  • Paper 2:  2pm – 4.30pm

Online Application Form

Location

In the Carlow Campus, you will meet at the Main Reception desk at 9.15 once there you will be brought to the exam room by the exams team.

In the Waterford Campus, you will meet in the Main Atrium desk at 9.15 once there you will be brought to the exam room by the exams team.

Note: you must bring photo identification with you (e.g. passport, Garda Age card)

The examination will follow the standard format of the existing leaving certificate with two papers based on the existing leaving certificate ordinary level. Applicants can expect the questions to reflect the standard of the leaving certificate ordinary level examination.  There is no access to previous SETU Maths Entry Exam papers.

Results will be emailed to you within 5 working days. There is no appeals process.  Eligible applicants will receive offers in the next available round of offers.

Entry Requirements

To be eligible for consideration under the scheme, the applicant should meet the following criteria:

  • The applicant has applied to SETU through the CAO application process for 2023 entry.
  • The applicant has achieved the required points for entry into their chosen programme of study and met all other criteria set for the programme (except maths requirement).
  • The applicant has not achieved the required grade in their mathematics examination for entry.
  • Note: You are eligible to sit the exam if you failed maths (Higher, Ordinary or Foundation levels)

Programmes Excluded

The following courses are excluded from this:

  • SE407 Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Accounting
  • SE713 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Civil Engineering

For details of the SETU Waterford programmes that are excluded from this exam please click here »

Closing Date

Closing date for applications:  15.00, 30 August, 2023.

FAQ

Can I get mock or past SETU Carlow Maths Entry Exam papers?

There is no access to previous SETU Carlow Maths Entry exam papers for revision purposes, please use past Ordinary Level Leaving Certificate papers - SETU Carlow Maths Entry Exam follows this format and standard.

What is the CAO statement?

This is the list of programmes the student has applied for through the CAO.  This can be submitted as a screenshot.

I have applied for a course at SETU Carlow/Wexford and/or SETU Waterford, can I use the Maths Entry Exam result for any of the campus'?

If you have applied for a course at SETU you can sit the Maths Entry Exam at either the SETU Carlow or SETU Waterford campus and the result can be used for eligibility for all SETU courses to which the maths entry exam applies, regardless of which campus you sat the exam on. You will be offered the highest preference course for which you are eligible – having achieved the required grade in the Maths Entry Exam and met all other qualifying criteria for the programme.
 

Can I apply if I have already passed maths in the leaving certificate?

Yes.  The scheme is based on the maths entry requirement for your chosen course.  For example, if the maths entry requirement for your first-choice programme was O5 or better, but you only received an O6, then you could take the examination and obtain a place on your chosen programme if you achieved an O5 or better.

Can I apply if I failed my maths in the leaving certificate?

Yes.  The Maths Entry Exam gives you an opportunity to improve upon your maths grade attained in the leaving certificate.

Can I apply if I sat Foundation Level maths in my leaving certificate?

Yes. The Maths Entry exam is open to all Leaving Certificate applicants.

Can I apply if I have already received a place at SETU Carlow Campus?

Yes, if you received a place that is a lower preference because you did not meet the maths requirement for the higher preference place.

Can I study at SETU Carlow if I have an offer from another college?

Yes you can, but only if:

  • Your chosen programme at SETU Carlow is a higher preference on your CAO list than the programme at the other college, and
  • You achieve the required grade in the Maths Entry Exam and meet all other qualifying criteria for the programme

You will not be entitled to a place at SETU if you received an offer for a programme at another college that is a higher preference than the SETU programme.

Is there a fee for taking the examination?

No, there is no fee for taking the examination in 2023.

Will I get additional leaving certificate points if I get a higher grade?

No. Your leaving certificate points total will not be altered as a result of the Maths Entry Exam. The examination merely deals with the entry requirements and not your CAO points requirements. If you have not obtained the cut-off points for your preferred programme, then you should not take the exam.

If I become eligible for a number of programmes, which one will I be offered?

You will be offered the highest preference programme for which you are eligible.

Can I use my result from the Maths Entry Exam that I sat in a previous year to be considered for entry this year? 

Yes, you can use the results achieved in your Maths Entry exam from a previous academic year to be considered for entry in the current academic year. 

Can you give me some examples?
 

CASE STUDY 1

John wants to do the Bachelor of Business (Hons) at SETU Waterford. He has achieved 350 points which is greater than the cut-off points for entry into the course and met the other criteria with the exception of maths.

John obtained an O6 in maths. As he does not meet the maths requirements of O5, he is not offered a place. If John sits the Maths Entry Exam at SETU and scores an O5 or better, he will then be offered a place.

CASE STUDY 2

Linda wants to do the BA (H) Psychology. She has 290 points which is below the CAO cut-off points for the programme. She does not get an offer of a place. Since she is below the CAO cut-off points, there is no benefit to Linda of attempting the Maths Entry Exam at SETU.


CASE STUDY 3

Barry has not applied through the CAO to study at SETU. As he cannot change his CAO preferences, he will not be offered any place at the University and there is no benefit in him attempting the Maths Entry Exam.