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Bowsy's career test for CAO combines interests and skills

Career Test for Students in Ireland

What career suits me?

At Bowsy, our assessment looks at two essential things for each student:

  1. What you're naturally good at
  2. What genuinely interests and motivates you

Where those overlap is where you're most likely to succeed — and enjoy your work. It's that simple.

Register now for free access

Career Test for Students Before Choosing CAO Courses

Many students in Ireland take a career test or career quiz before choosing their CAO courses to better understand their strengths and career options. Traditional career quizzes or interest tests often focus only on what students like doing. The Bowsy AI career assessment goes further by analysing behavioural traits, thinking styles and natural strengths to help students identify careers where they are most likely to succeed.

It's the same advanced assessment technology used by employers — now available for students in Ireland

CAO Options Student

Employers successfully use advanced proven data analytics and AI to match people to careers where they thrive.

At the same time, access to career guidance for secondary school students is limited and many of the tools we still use haven’t changed in decades.

And with thousands of CAO and Apprenticeship options in Ireland, the choices are becoming increasingly difficult to navigate.

So why shouldn’t students have access to the same level of insight?

See an example report

Career Test vs AI Career Assessment: What’s the Difference?

Traditional career interest test questionnaire

Traditional Career Test

• Focus on interests
• Generic career suggestions
• Static report
• One-time assessment

AI career assessment analysing strengths and career pathways for students

Bowsy AI Career Assessment

• Interests + strengths analysis
• Behavioural insights
• Personalised career pathways
• Interactive exploration & Chatbot
Bowsy CAO Video

Free Career Assessment for CAO & Apprenticeship Choices in Ireland

Discover what you're naturally good at, what motivates you — and which careers truly fit. 

Designed for Irish students and their parents, Bowsy provides an objective, data-driven foundation to help you make confident decisions about university courses and apprenticeships.

Over 100,000 assessments to date & growing.

Register now for free access

A Simple, Personalised Career Journey — What Career suits me?

Designed to support families with clear, data-driven insight — not replace guidance or conversations at home.

Complete the online assessment on the Bowsy platform

Students take a 40-minute, easy-to-use online assessment designed to understand their strengths, interests and motivations. As soon as it’s finished, they receive a personalised career report highlighting career paths, CAO courses and apprenticeship options that truly fit them.

Explore Results with an Interactive Career Chatbot

Each student gets access to a smart, confidential chatbot that helps them dig deeper into their results. They can ask questions about specific careers, explore different pathways and better understand why certain options suit them — all in a supportive, easy way.

Access Anytime, Anywhere — In Multiple Languages

The assessment is fully mobile-friendly and can be completed on phone, tablet or computer. It’s also available in multiple languages, including Gaeilge, making it accessible and inclusive for students across Ireland.

Finding the right career through our AI test

Built on real data - Not guesswork

  • 100,000+ Individual Assessments
  • 95% historical accuracy in predicting strong career fit
  • 6.5Mn Data points in our learning model

This is the same proven AI-driven technology used in the corporate world to place senior leaders and professionals into roles where they thrive.

How is our assessment different?

Read our CEO’s LinkedIn article on AI career guidance for students in Ireland.

Developed by Experts in Education, Data Analytics & AI

Behind Bowsy is a team combining decades of real-world experience in AI, career psychology and education.

John Brady, CEO Bowsy

John Brady, B.Comm

John is the CEO and founder of Bowsy. After a successful career as a Director within a FTSE-listed company, he left the corporate world to bring award-winning, proven career technology to students — including his own children — helping them make confident, informed career decisions.

Kristi Vollgraaff, MCom (HPCSA)

Kristi Vollgraaff, MCom (HPCSA)

Kristi is a registered Organisational Psychologist with experience in organisational design and development, change management, talent management, and behavioural analytics.
ChatGPT Image Feb 18, 2026, 04_06_18 PM

Dr Juan Swartz, PhD CA

Dr. Juan Swartz is an AI strategist and digital transformation expert with over 25 years of experience across corporate strategy, predictive analytics and workforce transformation. A former senior executive and strategy leader at global organisations including Accenture.
ChatGPT Image Feb 18, 2026, 04_17_45 PM

Renata Covisi Pereira, MSc

Renata is a Co-Founder of Bowsy where she is Head of Product and Operations. Her background is as a software engineer, specialising in data analytics, with over 10 years experience working in the education sector.
Get in touch with us

Key Milestones for the Bowsy Team

Startup Award

Bowsy wins at Irish Startup Awards

Helping students with their careers through paid work experience with Irish businesses.
Chambers Ireland Award

Irish Sustainable Business Impact Award

Recognised by Chambers Ireland for our work helping students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
DMA Award

Digital Media Award Finalist

Bowsy was nominated in two categories for our work with the Irish Department of Higher Education  on the National Apprenticeship programme.
Bowsy World Skills RDS

Launch of our Career Assessment Tool

First piloted at the WorldSkills event at the RDS in Dublin and now launched nationally on the Bowsy.ie website.

Register now for free access !

Frequently Asked Questions

What will this cost?
The Bowsy Career Assessment is currently free for students in Ireland for a limited time. After launch, the full AI-powered career assessment will cost €35. This includes a personalised career report, CAO course suggestions, apprenticeship pathways and access to an interactive career chatbot. There are no hidden fees or subscriptions.
How is this assessment different?

Unlike traditional career guidance tools, the Bowsy Career Assessment uses AI and behavioural science to match students with careers that align with their strengths and interests. Built on over 100,000 assessments and 6.5 million data points, it provides evidence-based career advice for CAO and apprenticeship decisions in Ireland.

You can also find out more information on our blog on 

AI Career Guidance for Students in Ireland: Why Interests Alone Aren’t Enough for CAO Choices

What career suits me?

Many students ask themselves “what career suits me?” when choosing subjects or CAO courses. A career test can help identify strengths, interests and behavioural traits to suggest careers where students are most likely to succeed. The Bowsy AI career assessment helps students explore career pathways and discover roles that match their natural abilities.

 

 

Is this a test?
No — this is not an academic test and it does not measure Leaving Certificate performance. It is a career assessment designed to understand your natural strengths, motivations and preferences. There are no right or wrong answers, and the goal is to provide personalised career guidance based on fit, not grades.
What if I have questions?

Every student receives access to an interactive career chatbot that allows them to explore their results, ask questions about career pathways and learn more about CAO courses and apprenticeship options in Ireland. You can also contact the Bowsy team directly for additional support.

I am already talking to my career guidance councillor
That’s great. Bowsy is designed to complement school career guidance, not replace it. The assessment provides an objective, data-driven foundation that can support discussions with your guidance counsellor and parents when choosing CAO courses or apprenticeships.
How long does the assessment take?
The online career assessment takes approximately 40 minutes to complete and can be done on mobile, tablet or desktop. Students receive their personalised career report immediately after completion, making it a fast and practical way to support CAO and apprenticeship decisions.
An féidir liom an ceistneoir a dhéanamh i nGaeilge?

Sea — tá an Measúnú Gairme Bowsy ar fáil i nGaeilge chomh maith le Béarla agus teangacha eile. Is féidir le mic léinn an measúnú a chríochnú go hiomlán i nGaeilge ar fhón póca, ar tháibléad nó ar ríomhaire, agus gheobhaidh siad a dtuairisc phearsantaithe gairme láithreach ina dteanga roghnaithe.

Tá sé deartha chun a bheith éasca le húsáid agus inrochtana do gach dalta ar fud na hÉireann.

FAQ Bowsy

Ready to start exploring careers?

Register now for your free assessment