High achievers:More than 4,000 students around the country were awarded in excess of 500 points yesterday.
In Cistercian College Roscrea, Co Tipperary, one of the three remaining seven-day boarding schools for boys in the State, 24 per cent of its students achieved 500 points or more, in addition to the 62 per cent who achieved upwards of 400 points.
An impressive list of grades compiled by the school showed that 44 per cent of students achieved an A in biology, 25 per cent obtained an A in mathematics and 27 per cent received an A in business studies.
President of the college Dan Smyth said the results reflected the benefits of a strong boarding school model.
In Stratford College in Rathgar, Dublin, some 23 per cent of students achieved 500 points upwards.
The practice of schools providing a breakdown of points achieved on its website has become increasingly common.
In the Institute of Education in Dublin, the school boasts of 10 students achieving the maximum 600 points last year, with more than 20 per cent of its students achieving 500 points or more.
Blackrock College last year recorded 15 students achieving more than 540 points and 34 pupils obtaining more than 500 points.
The 500-points marker has become an increasingly desired achievement for students. A range of courses such as law, medicine and psychology require in excess of 500 points.