Leaving Certificate students getting their results on Wednesday could be faced with a tough points race for 3rd-level places.

Points for some computing, science and agriculture courses are expected to rocket above the 500 mark for the first time.

Experts are attributing this surge to a combination of a new bonus points system for maths as well as competition amongst candidates.

Leaving Cert students get their results on Wednesday.

The first round of CAO offers will be out the following week.