Free Practice Questions for LC DCG
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Key Facts: LC DCG Exam
40% + 60%
Student assignment and terminal paper weightings of the overall DCG grade
NCCA Design and Communication Graphics syllabus
CAD compulsory
CAD is a significant compulsory element of the student assignment
NCCA Design and Communication Graphics syllabus
~40 hours
Syllabus guidance for approximate student assignment completion time
NCCA Design and Communication Graphics syllabus
2 options
Students study two Applied Graphics optional areas in addition to the core
NCCA Design and Communication Graphics syllabus
HL and OL
Design and Communication Graphics is examined at Higher Level and Ordinary Level
Curriculum Online - Design and Communication Graphics
H1-H8 / O1-O8
Results use the eight-point Higher and Ordinary grade scales
State Examinations Commission grading scale
3 hours
Typical duration of the terminal DCG examination paper (confirm SEC timetable)
SEC examination practice / school subject outlines
100
Free original single-best-answer practice questions in this bank
OpenExamPrep
Leaving Certificate Design and Communication Graphics (DCG, Ireland) is a senior-cycle SEC subject combining projection systems, plane and solid geometry, developments, design communication and parametric CAD concepts. It is assessed by a student assignment (40%, CAD compulsory) and a terminal drawing paper (60%, typically 3 hours). Grades use the H1-H8 / O1-O8 scale. Official papers are not MCQ; this free bank offers 100 original single-best-answer study questions.
Sample LC DCG Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to review concepts for the LC DCG exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1In Irish Leaving Certificate Design and Communication Graphics, multi-view technical drawings are normally presented using which orthographic convention?
2What is the main purpose of an orthographic multi-view drawing of a manufactured part?
3In first-angle projection, where is the plan view typically placed relative to the front elevation?
4Which line type is conventionally used to show hidden edges in an orthographic view?
5An isometric drawing is a type of which broader projection family?
6In a standard isometric drawing, what angle is commonly used between the two receding horizontal axes on the paper?
7What is a vanishing point in perspective drawing?
8One-point (parallel) perspective is most appropriate when which condition holds?
9Which conic section is formed when a right circular cone is cut by a plane parallel to a generator (slant) of the cone?
10In the focus–directrix definition of a conic, eccentricity e is the ratio of which two distances from a point on the curve?
About the LC DCG Exam
Leaving Certificate Design and Communication Graphics (DCG) is the Irish senior-cycle study of graphic communication, spatial reasoning and design presentation, combining plane and descriptive geometry with computer-aided design and design communication. The State Examinations Commission assesses candidates at Higher and Ordinary Level through two components: a student assignment (40% of marks), in which CAD is a significant compulsory element and students respond to an official theme by design investigation and modification or concept design, and a terminal examination paper (60% of marks) based on drawing and graphic problem-solving rather than multiple choice. Core content includes projection systems (orthographic, axonometric, perspective), plane geometry and conic sections, lines and planes in space, intersection and development of surfaces, freehand drawing and presentation, and ICT/parametric CAD. Students also study two Applied Graphics options from dynamic mechanisms, structural forms, geologic geometry, surface geometry and assemblies. This free bank supplies 100 original single-best-answer questions as concept practice only; candidates must still practise full SEC drawing papers and complete the assignment under school conditions.
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 at Higher and Ordinary Level: student assignment 40% of marks (theme set by the examining authority; CAD significant and compulsory; design investigation and modification or design investigation and concept design) and terminal examination paper 60% of marks (drawing and structured graphic problems). Core study: plane and descriptive geometry plus communication of design and computer graphics. Applied Graphics: choose two from dynamic mechanisms, structural forms, geologic geometry, surface geometry and assemblies. Official papers are not multiple choice.
Time Limit
Written/drawing paper typically 3 hours in the June Leaving Certificate examination period (confirm on the current SEC timetable). Student assignment work spans a substantial portion of sixth year (syllabus guidance approximately 40 hours).
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 DCG 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.
Projection systems
First-angle orthographic multi-view drawings, auxiliary views, third-angle awareness at Higher Level, axonometric and isometric methods (including isometric scale concepts), and one- and two-point perspective with vanishing points, horizon and picture plane.
Plane geometry and conic sections
Plane constructions and loci, regular polygons, and conics defined as cone sections and focus-directrix loci (ellipse e < 1, parabola e = 1, hyperbola e > 1), with tangents, axes and related terminology.
Descriptive geometry, intersection and developments
Spatial lines and planes, true length of a line, true shape of a plane figure, dihedral angle, skew lines, intersection of planes and solids, and surface developments for packaging, sheet-metal and related applications.
Design communication and computer graphics
Purpose of freehand sketching in design ideation, rendering and presentation, standards and conventions, parametric CAD feature modelling, assemblies and mates, file management, and student-assignment research, design and documentation process.
Applied graphics options
Dynamic mechanisms (linkages, cams, gears as graphic systems), structural forms, geologic geometry (contours, profiles, dip and strike), surface geometry, and exploded/assembly drawing of multi-part products.
Preparing for the LC DCG 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 at Higher and Ordinary Level: student assignment 40% of marks (theme set by the examining authority; CAD significant and compulsory; design investigation and modification or design investigation and concept design) and terminal examination paper 60% of marks (drawing and structured graphic problems). Core study: plane and descriptive geometry plus communication of design and computer graphics. Applied Graphics: choose two from dynamic mechanisms, structural forms, geologic geometry, surface geometry and assemblies. Official papers are not multiple choice.
- Time limit: Written/drawing paper typically 3 hours in the June Leaving Certificate examination period (confirm on the current SEC timetable). Student assignment work spans a substantial portion of sixth year (syllabus guidance approximately 40 hours).
- 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 DCG 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 DCG: Suggested Study Strategy
Frequently Asked Questions
How is Leaving Certificate Design and Communication Graphics assessed?
By two components at Higher and Ordinary Level: a student assignment worth 40% of the marks (CAD is a significant compulsory element) and a terminal examination paper worth 60% of the marks.
Is the DCG exam multiple choice?
No. The official terminal paper uses structured drawing and graphic problem-solving questions. The student assignment is design- and CAD-based coursework. These multiple-choice questions are an extra concept-revision aid only.
What does the student assignment involve?
The examining authority issues a theme (different at Higher and Ordinary Level). Students develop a brief and complete either a design investigation and modification or a design investigation and concept design, communicating solutions with sketches, drawings and CAD. The syllabus indicates about 40 hours of work.
What is studied in the core of DCG?
Plane and descriptive geometry (projection systems, plane geometry, conics, lines and planes, intersection and developments) and communication of design and computer graphics (design graphics, freehand drawing, ICT and CAD).
What are the Applied Graphics options?
Students choose two from: dynamic mechanisms, structural forms, geologic geometry, surface geometry and assemblies. Option topics appear on the terminal paper and support spatial application of core principles.
Are these official SEC practice questions?
No. These are original OpenExamPrep single-best-answer questions modelled on DCG syllabus concepts. The State Examinations Commission publishes official past papers, sample materials and marking schemes separately on examinations.ie.