Free Practice Questions for LCA Agriculture/Horticulture
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Key Facts: LCA Agriculture/Horticulture Exam
12 credits
Final vocational specialism examination contributes up to 12 credits
LCA programme credit allocation / SEC vocational specialism tables
40% + 60%
Practical test is 40% and written examination is 60% of specialism final assessment
SEC LCA vocational specialism assessment guidance
4 of 6
Students take four modules from six published Agriculture/Horticulture modules
NCCA Agriculture/Horticulture Module Descriptor
≥30 hours
Each module is at least 30 hours duration over the two-year programme
NCCA Agriculture/Horticulture Module Descriptor
2 groups
Modules fall into Horticulture and Agriculture groupings and may be mixed
NCCA Agriculture/Horticulture Module Descriptor
Not Ag Science
LCA Agriculture/Horticulture is distinct from Established LC Agricultural Science
NCCA curriculum structures (LCA vs Established LC)
200 max
Full LCA award uses up to 200 credits across modules, tasks and final exams
LCA Programme Statement / Citizens Information
100
Free original single-best-answer practice questions here
OpenExamPrep
LCA Agriculture/Horticulture is a 12-credit vocational specialism assessed by practical test (40%) and written examination (60%). Students complete four modules from six published options covering horticulture and agriculture. Content includes soil and plants, garden design, crops and floristry, forestry, grass, milk and meat, plus safety and environment. Distinct from Established LC Agricultural Science. This bank provides 100 free original concept MCQs for revision.
Sample LCA Agriculture/Horticulture Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to review concepts for the LCA Agriculture/Horticulture exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1Within the Leaving Certificate Applied, where does Agriculture/Horticulture sit?
2How many modules from the Agriculture/Horticulture suite do students take over the two-year LCA programme?
3What is the minimum duration of each Agriculture/Horticulture module?
4How many official modules are listed in the NCCA Agriculture/Horticulture module descriptor?
5Which pair correctly lists the two broad module groupings?
6Which set correctly names the three Horticulture modules?
7Which set correctly names the three Agriculture modules?
8Must students finish all horticulture modules before taking any agriculture module?
9For the final SEC assessment of the Agriculture/Horticulture vocational specialism, what is the typical component split?
10How many final-examination credits are associated with an LCA vocational specialism such as Agriculture/Horticulture?
About the LCA Agriculture/Horticulture Exam
Agriculture/Horticulture is a vocational specialism option within the Vocational Education element of Ireland's Leaving Certificate Applied. The NCCA module descriptor introduces knowledge and basic skills for efficient, productive use of natural resources, with a strong practical and out-of-school emphasis. Students select four of six modules (each ≥30 hours) across horticulture (Basic Horticulture; Garden Design; Floristry, Fruit and Vegetables) and agriculture (Forestry; Grass; Milk and Meat Production), matching interests and local employment opportunities. Learning outcomes span plant physiology, soil and tools, garden planning, crop production and marketing, forestry species and land use, grassland management and conservation, and milk/meat animal husbandry with health, environment and safety. Common themes include biological processes, safety, pollution and non-chemical pest control. Final specialism assessment by the SEC combines a practical test (40%) and written paper (60%) for up to 12 credits. This is not Established Leaving Certificate Agricultural Science. This practice bank offers original multiple-choice concept questions — it does not replace practical work, key assignments or SEC materials.
Exam sponsor: State Examinations Commission (SEC), Ireland. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.
Assessment
Vocational specialism in LCA Vocational Education. Students take four modules over two years (each at least 30 hours) chosen from six modules in two groupings. Horticulture: Module 1 Basic Horticulture (plant physiology and growing media; propagation methods; soil formation, composition and fertility; garden tools and equipment); Module 2 Garden Design (gardens and their uses; garden design; plants and their uses; lawns); Module 3 Floristry, Fruit and Vegetables (production methods; harvesting, transport and retailing; healthy practices, pests and diseases; flowers or fruit or vegetables). Agriculture: Module 4 Forestry (forestry industry in Ireland; common forestry trees and their biology; climate, site selection and multiple land use); Module 5 Grass (grass; grassland plants, management and renovation; grass conservation); Module 6 Milk and Meat Production (the milk/meat animal, feeding and housing; production of replacement stock; health, environment and safety). Modules may be mixed across horticulture and agriculture; none is a formal prerequisite for another. Common cross-module themes include environmental/biological processes, health and safety, pollution and non-chemical pest/disease control. Final SEC assessment of the specialism: practical test 40% and written examination 60% (12 credits). Distinct from Established Leaving Certificate Agricultural Science.
Time Limit
Written and practical examinations follow the annual SEC Leaving Certificate Applied timetable; practical performance assignment briefs are commonly issued in advance (e.g. around March in recent SEC guidance years). Module teaching and key assignments run across the four LCA sessions over two years.
Passing Score
Specialism final examination contributes up to 12 credits toward the overall LCA award (maximum 200 credits). Full certificate bands: Pass 120–139 credits, Merit 140–169, Distinction 170–200. Below 120 credits (or incomplete programme) yields a record of experience rather than the full award.
Exam / Certification Fees
Covered under school-based Leaving Certificate Applied examination fee arrangements set annually by the State Examinations Commission; external candidates pay fees as published by the SEC.
Exam sponsor websiteFees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.
Our practice resources: topics covered
We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.
Basic Horticulture
Practice covers plant parts and photosynthesis, fertilisers and growing media, compost, dormancy and germination, cuttings and rooting powder safety, soil formation and fertility, Irish soil types and safe use/cleaning of garden tools.
Garden Design
Practice covers garden uses and styles, outline plans, hard landscape features, planting flowers trees and shrubs, lawn seed mixes, lawn problems and seasonal maintenance charts.
Floristry, Fruit and Vegetables
Practice covers production conditions, extending the growing season, large versus small-scale production, harvesting grading transport and retailing, pests and diseases, chemical and organic control and cut-flower care.
Forestry
Practice covers the Irish forestry industry, common species (e.g. Sitka spruce, oak, ash), climate and site selection, weather instruments, competing land uses and reducing environmental impact.
Grass
Practice covers grassland importance in Ireland, ryegrass and other species, weeds and poisonous plants, fertiliser and drainage, hay versus silage, fermentation concepts, machinery and safety.
Milk and Meat Production
Practice covers milk/meat breeds, dual-purpose animals, feeding and housing, selective breeding and AI concepts, oestrus signs, newborn care, waste systems and pollution/safety on farms.
Programme, assessment and cross-cutting themes
Practice covers four-of-six modules, 30-hour modules, practical 40% and written 60%, 12 credits, distinction from Established Agricultural Science, and safety/environment themes.
Preparing for the LCA Agriculture/Horticulture Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: Specialism final examination contributes up to 12 credits toward the overall LCA award (maximum 200 credits). Full certificate bands: Pass 120–139 credits, Merit 140–169, Distinction 170–200. Below 120 credits (or incomplete programme) yields a record of experience rather than the full award.
- Assessment: Vocational specialism in LCA Vocational Education. Students take four modules over two years (each at least 30 hours) chosen from six modules in two groupings. Horticulture: Module 1 Basic Horticulture (plant physiology and growing media; propagation methods; soil formation, composition and fertility; garden tools and equipment); Module 2 Garden Design (gardens and their uses; garden design; plants and their uses; lawns); Module 3 Floristry, Fruit and Vegetables (production methods; harvesting, transport and retailing; healthy practices, pests and diseases; flowers or fruit or vegetables). Agriculture: Module 4 Forestry (forestry industry in Ireland; common forestry trees and their biology; climate, site selection and multiple land use); Module 5 Grass (grass; grassland plants, management and renovation; grass conservation); Module 6 Milk and Meat Production (the milk/meat animal, feeding and housing; production of replacement stock; health, environment and safety). Modules may be mixed across horticulture and agriculture; none is a formal prerequisite for another. Common cross-module themes include environmental/biological processes, health and safety, pollution and non-chemical pest/disease control. Final SEC assessment of the specialism: practical test 40% and written examination 60% (12 credits). Distinct from Established Leaving Certificate Agricultural Science.
- Time limit: Written and practical examinations follow the annual SEC Leaving Certificate Applied timetable; practical performance assignment briefs are commonly issued in advance (e.g. around March in recent SEC guidance years). Module teaching and key assignments run across the four LCA sessions over two years.
- Exam / certification fees: Covered under school-based Leaving Certificate Applied examination fee arrangements set annually by the State Examinations Commission; external candidates pay fees as published by the SEC. Official sources
Using Our Practice Resources
- Work through all 100 available questions
- Review every answer and explanation
- Track weak areas and revisit them
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LCA Agriculture/Horticulture: Suggested Study Strategy
Frequently Asked Questions
How is LCA Agriculture/Horticulture assessed in the final examination?
As a vocational specialism final examination: practical test (40%) and written examination (60%), contributing up to 12 credits. Module completion and Student Tasks also earn credits within the wider LCA programme.
How many modules must students take?
Over the two-year programme, four modules are taken, each of at least 30 hours. Six modules are available; students may choose across the horticulture and agriculture groupings.
What are the six official modules?
Horticulture: Basic Horticulture; Garden Design; Floristry, Fruit and Vegetables. Agriculture: Forestry; Grass; Milk and Meat Production. (As listed in the NCCA Agriculture/Horticulture module descriptor.)
Is this the same as Leaving Certificate Agricultural Science?
No. Agriculture/Horticulture is an LCA vocational specialism with modular practical emphasis. Established Leaving Certificate Agricultural Science is a different subject with its own specification, levels and assessment.
What common themes run through the modules?
Environmental and biological processes, health and safety, pollution, and non-chemical methods of pest and disease control are explored within the individual modules.
Are these official State Examinations Commission questions?
No. These are original OpenExamPrep single-best-answer concept questions. You still need to complete authentic practical work, key assignments and practise official SEC materials for the specialism examinations.