Free Practice Questions for LC Biology
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Key Facts: LC Biology Exam
3 units
The syllabus is organised into The Study of Life, The Cell and The Organism
Curriculum Online - Leaving Certificate Biology
400 marks
The current written Biology paper is worth 400 marks over 3 hours
State Examinations Commission - Biology papers
3 sections
Section A short questions, Section B experiment questions and Section C long questions
State Examinations Commission - Biology papers
Higher and Ordinary
Biology is examined at two levels, Higher and Ordinary
Curriculum Online - Leaving Certificate Biology
June 2026
The current Biology syllabus is examined for the last time in June 2026
NCCA - Leaving Certificate Biology
40% minimum
The revised specification adds a non-written assessment component worth at least 40%, first examined 2027
gov.ie - Leaving Certificate subject reform
H1-H8 / O1-O8
Grades are awarded on the senior-cycle 90-point grading scale
State Examinations Commission - Grading
100
Free original multiple-choice practice questions in this bank
OpenExamPrep
Leaving Certificate Biology is an Irish senior-cycle science subject examined by the State Examinations Commission (SEC) at Higher and Ordinary Level. The written paper is a single 3-hour, 400-mark exam with three sections: Section A short questions (100 marks, 5 of 7), Section B experiment questions (60 marks, 2 of 3) and Section C long questions (240 marks, 4 of 7). The syllabus covers three units: The Study of Life, The Cell, and The Organism, spanning cell biology, metabolism, genetics, evolution, ecology, plant biology and human physiology. The current syllabus is examined last in June 2026, with a revised specification (40%+ additional assessment component) first examined in 2027. This 100-question multiple-choice bank drills the core content common to both specifications.
Sample LC Biology Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to review concepts for the LC Biology exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1Which feature is found in plant cells but NOT in animal cells?
2Which organelle is the main site of aerobic respiration in a eukaryotic cell?
3Enzymes are biological catalysts. What does a catalyst do to a chemical reaction?
4According to the 'lock and key' model, why does an enzyme usually act on only one type of substrate?
5An enzyme works fastest at 40 degrees Celsius. At 70 degrees Celsius its activity falls almost to zero. The best explanation is that at 70 degrees Celsius the enzyme has been:
6In which part of the chloroplast does the light stage of photosynthesis take place?
7Which word equation correctly summarises photosynthesis?
8During the light stage of photosynthesis, water molecules are split. This process is called:
9Which molecule is the universal energy carrier produced during respiration and used to power cell activities?
10Anaerobic respiration in human muscle cells produces a small amount of ATP and which waste product?
About the LC Biology Exam
Leaving Certificate Biology is a senior-cycle science subject in Ireland, examined by the State Examinations Commission (SEC) and assessed at Higher and Ordinary Level. The current syllabus is organised into three units: Unit 1 The Study of Life (biology basics, the cell, cell metabolism and ecology), Unit 2 The Cell (cell structure, cell continuity, DNA and protein synthesis, genetics and evolution) and Unit 3 The Organism (diversity of organisms, plant structure and processes, and human physiology). The written examination is a single three-hour, 400-mark paper with short questions, experiment-based questions and long questions, and the course includes mandatory student practical activities. The current syllabus is examined for the last time in June 2026; a revised specification, in which a non-written additional assessment component is worth a minimum of 40% of the marks, is first examined in 2027.
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
Single 3-hour written paper worth 400 marks at Higher or Ordinary Level: Section A (100 marks, answer 5 of 7 short questions), Section B (60 marks, answer 2 of 3 experiment-based questions) and Section C (240 marks, answer 4 of 7 long questions).
Time Limit
3 hours for the written examination at both Higher and Ordinary Level.
Passing Score
No pass/fail mark for the subject. Biology is graded H1-H8 (Higher) and O1-O8 (Ordinary); grades at or above H6/O6 award CAO points, and many third-level courses require specific minimum grades for entry.
Exam / Certification Fees
There is no separate fee for Biology alone; a single Leaving Certificate entry fee covers all subjects, with an exemption for medical-card holders. Confirm the current amount with your school and the State Examinations Commission.
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.
Unit 1: The Study of Life
Biology basics and characteristics of life, cell structure and metabolism (enzymes, photosynthesis and respiration), and ecology including ecosystems, food chains and webs, energy flow, nutrient cycles (carbon and nitrogen), populations and the study of an ecosystem. Practice here covers enzyme action, the light and dark stages of photosynthesis, aerobic and anaerobic respiration, and ecological relationships.
Unit 2: The Cell
Detailed cell structure and ultrastructure, cell continuity through mitosis and meiosis, DNA and RNA structure, DNA replication and protein synthesis (transcription and translation), Mendelian genetics and heredity, genetic engineering, and the theory of evolution and variation. Practice here covers chromosomes, the genetic code, monohybrid and dihybrid crosses, mutations, and natural selection.
Unit 3: The Organism
Diversity of organisms (kingdoms, bacteria, fungi, viruses), structure and life processes in flowering plants (transport, nutrition, growth regulators and reproduction), and human physiology including digestion, blood and circulation, the heart, breathing, excretion, the skin and homeostasis, the nervous and endocrine systems, the senses, the musculoskeletal and immune systems, and human reproduction. Practice here covers organ systems, transport mechanisms and regulation.
Preparing for the LC Biology Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: No pass/fail mark for the subject. Biology is graded H1-H8 (Higher) and O1-O8 (Ordinary); grades at or above H6/O6 award CAO points, and many third-level courses require specific minimum grades for entry.
- Assessment: Single 3-hour written paper worth 400 marks at Higher or Ordinary Level: Section A (100 marks, answer 5 of 7 short questions), Section B (60 marks, answer 2 of 3 experiment-based questions) and Section C (240 marks, answer 4 of 7 long questions).
- Time limit: 3 hours for the written examination at both Higher and Ordinary Level.
- Exam / certification fees: There is no separate fee for Biology alone; a single Leaving Certificate entry fee covers all subjects, with an exemption for medical-card holders. Confirm the current amount with your school and the State Examinations Commission. Official sources
Using Our Practice Resources
- Work through all 100 available questions
- Review every answer and explanation
- Track weak areas and revisit them
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
LC Biology: Suggested Study Strategy
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the Leaving Certificate Biology exam structured?
The current written exam is a single 3-hour, 400-mark paper at Higher or Ordinary Level. It has Section A (short questions, 100 marks, answer 5 of 7), Section B (experiment-based questions, 60 marks, answer 2 of 3) and Section C (long questions, 240 marks, answer 4 of 7).
What topics are covered in Leaving Cert Biology?
The syllabus has three units: Unit 1 The Study of Life (the cell, enzymes, photosynthesis, respiration and ecology), Unit 2 The Cell (cell structure, cell division, DNA, genetics, genetic engineering and evolution) and Unit 3 The Organism (diversity of organisms, plant biology and human physiology).
Is Leaving Cert Biology multiple choice?
No. The official SEC examination uses short and long written-answer questions, plus experiment-based questions, not multiple choice. This free bank uses single-best-answer multiple-choice questions on the same core content to help you check recall and understanding while you revise.
Is the Leaving Cert Biology syllabus changing?
Yes. The current syllabus is examined for the last time in June 2026. A revised specification, in which a non-written additional assessment component is worth at least 40% of the marks, is first examined in 2027. This bank focuses on core biology content common to both.
How is Leaving Cert Biology graded?
There is no pass/fail mark. Biology is graded H1-H8 at Higher Level and O1-O8 at Ordinary Level on the 90-point scale. Grades at H6/O6 or above earn CAO points, and individual courses may require specific minimum grades for entry.
Are these official SEC questions?
No. These are original OpenExamPrep questions written to match the Leaving Certificate Biology core content. Official past papers and marking schemes are available free from the State Examinations Commission examination material archive.