Free Practice Questions for LC Computer Science
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Key Facts: LC Computer Science Exam
70% + 30%
End-of-course examination and coursework project weightings
NCCA Leaving Certificate Computer Science specification
210 + 90
Marks for end-of-course examination and coursework (300 total)
State Examinations Commission Computer Science coursework briefs
Python
Language assessed in the end-of-course examination
NCCA LCCS specification - assessment programming language
3 strands
Practices and principles, Core concepts, Computer science in practice
NCCA Leaving Certificate Computer Science specification
4 ALTs
Interactive systems, analytics, modelling/simulation, embedded systems
NCCA LCCS Strand 3 Applied Learning Tasks
~2.5 hours
Typical duration of the end-of-course examination
SEC examination arrangements / school guidance materials
H1-H8 / O1-O8
Results use the eight-point Higher and Ordinary grade scales
State Examinations Commission grading scale
100
Free original single-best-answer practice questions in this bank
OpenExamPrep
Leaving Certificate Computer Science (Ireland) is a senior-cycle SEC subject covering computational thinking, Python programming, algorithms, computer systems, data, testing, ethics and applied learning tasks. Assessment is 70% end-of-course examination (210 marks, including practical programming) and 30% coursework project (90 marks). Grades use the H1-H8 / O1-O8 scale. Official papers are long-form and practical, not MCQ; this free bank offers 100 original single-best-answer study questions.
Sample LC Computer Science Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to review concepts for the LC Computer Science exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1What is computational thinking primarily concerned with?
2Breaking a large problem into smaller, more manageable sub-problems is called:
3Which strand of the Leaving Certificate Computer Science specification includes the Applied Learning Tasks (ALTs)?
4In Python, which data type is most appropriate for a true/false flag?
5What does the Python operator // perform?
6Which CPU component performs arithmetic and logical operations?
7What does the Program Counter (PC) store?
8Why do digital computers use binary?
9Convert the binary number 1010 to decimal.
10Which protocol is primarily used to request and transfer web pages on the World Wide Web?
About the LC Computer Science Exam
Leaving Certificate Computer Science is the Irish senior-cycle study of computers, algorithmic processes, programming and the impact of computing on society. The NCCA specification is organised into three interwoven strands: Practices and principles (computational thinking, computers and society, designing and developing); Core concepts (abstraction, algorithms, computer systems, data, evaluation and testing); and Computer science in practice through four Applied Learning Tasks (interactive information systems, analytics, modelling and simulation, and embedded systems). Achievement is assessed by an end-of-course examination (70%, 210 marks) that includes written and practical Python programming components, and a coursework project (30%, 90 marks) in which candidates produce a computational artefact and report to an SEC brief. Python is the language assessed in the end-of-course paper; coursework commonly uses Python and JavaScript. Results use the H1-H8 / O1-O8 grade scales. This free bank supplies 100 original single-best-answer questions as concept practice only.
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
Two components (300 marks total): end-of-course examination 210 marks (70%) covering topics across the specification, context questions, and practical programming (Python is the language assessed in the end-of-course paper); coursework project 90 marks (30%) — one computational artefact with report responding to the annual SEC brief over about 10-12 school weeks. Higher and Ordinary levels use the same structure with differentiation in depth and complexity. Official papers are not multiple choice.
Time Limit
End-of-course examination is typically about 2 hours 30 minutes (written sections plus computer-based programming). Coursework is completed in a fixed sixth-year window of about 10-12 school weeks set by the SEC.
Passing Score
No single pass mark. Results use the eight-point scale: Higher Level H1-H8 and Ordinary Level O1-O8, each a percentage band (H1/O1 90-100%, H2/O2 80 to under 90%, down to H8/O8 0 to under 30%).
Exam / Certification Fees
In 2026 the Leaving Certificate examination fee is EUR 116 for a school-based candidate (EUR 301 for a school-going repeat candidate); full medical card holders are exempt. The fee covers all subjects entered, not Computer Science alone.
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.
Computational thinking and design
Decomposing problems, logical and algorithmic thinking, evaluating alternative solutions, modelling and simulation, heuristics and their limits, staged versus iterative design, teamwork roles, and communicating the design process from Strand 1.
Algorithms and Python programming
Pseudocode, sequences, selection and iteration, operators, functions and modules, recursion, linear and binary search, insertion, bubble and quick sort ideas, measures of efficiency, and reading, writing, testing and modifying Python programs for the end-of-course programming component.
Computer systems and networks
CPU (ALU, registers, program counter), memory, logic gates, binary/hexadecimal/decimal conversion, digital versus analogue, operating system layers, Internet versus WWW, client-server model, and protocols including HTTP, TCP and IP.
Data, testing and evaluation
Common data types (Boolean, integer, real, char, string, array), ASCII and Unicode, collecting and sorting continuous and discrete data, frequency/mean/median/mode, transforming data for analysis, debugging, and unit, function and system testing.
Computers and society, ALTs and coursework
Ethical and social impacts of computing, AI and machine learning contexts, user experience and universal design, careers, and applied contexts from ALT1 websites/databases, ALT2 analytics, ALT3 models/simulations, ALT4 sensors/embedded systems, plus SEC coursework authenticity and report expectations.
Preparing for the LC Computer Science Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: No single pass mark. Results use the eight-point scale: Higher Level H1-H8 and Ordinary Level O1-O8, each a percentage band (H1/O1 90-100%, H2/O2 80 to under 90%, down to H8/O8 0 to under 30%).
- Assessment: Two components (300 marks total): end-of-course examination 210 marks (70%) covering topics across the specification, context questions, and practical programming (Python is the language assessed in the end-of-course paper); coursework project 90 marks (30%) — one computational artefact with report responding to the annual SEC brief over about 10-12 school weeks. Higher and Ordinary levels use the same structure with differentiation in depth and complexity. Official papers are not multiple choice.
- Time limit: End-of-course examination is typically about 2 hours 30 minutes (written sections plus computer-based programming). Coursework is completed in a fixed sixth-year window of about 10-12 school weeks set by the SEC.
- Exam / certification fees: In 2026 the Leaving Certificate examination fee is EUR 116 for a school-based candidate (EUR 301 for a school-going repeat candidate); full medical card holders are exempt. The fee covers all subjects entered, not Computer Science alone. 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 Computer Science: Suggested Study Strategy
Frequently Asked Questions
How is Leaving Certificate Computer Science assessed?
There are two components: an end-of-course examination worth 70% (210 marks) and a coursework project worth 30% (90 marks). The end-of-course paper includes written questions and a practical programming component. Total marks are 300.
Is the Computer Science exam multiple choice?
No. The official end-of-course paper uses short and structured written questions plus practical programming. Coursework is an artefact and report. These multiple-choice questions are an extra concept-revision aid only.
What programming language is used?
The specification does not lock a single language for ALTs, but Python is the language assessed in the end-of-course examination. Coursework commonly uses Python and JavaScript. This practice bank is Python-oriented.
What are the Applied Learning Tasks (ALTs)?
Over two years students complete four team-based ALTs: interactive information systems, analytics, modelling and simulation, and embedded systems. They build practical skill and feed into the style of the sixth-year SEC coursework project.
What does the coursework project involve?
Candidates respond to an annual SEC brief by creating a computational artefact and a report (often as a website with supporting evidence) over about 10-12 school weeks in sixth year. The project is worth 90 marks (30%) and must follow SEC authentication rules.
Are these official SEC practice questions?
No. These are original OpenExamPrep questions modelled on the NCCA Leaving Certificate Computer Science specification. The State Examinations Commission publishes official past papers, sample materials and marking schemes separately on examinations.ie.