Free Practice Questions for LC Foundation Maths
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Key Facts: LC Foundation Maths Exam
1 paper
Foundation Level Maths is assessed by a single written paper of 2 hours 30 minutes
State Examinations Commission examination papers
300 marks
The Foundation Level paper is worth 300 marks in total
State Examinations Commission examination papers
2 sections
Section A Concepts and Skills and Section B Contexts and Applications
State Examinations Commission examination papers
F1-F8
Foundation Level grades range from F1 (90-100%) to F8 (below 30%)
State Examinations Commission grading scale
20 points
Maximum CAO points for Foundation Level Maths at accepting HEIs (grade F1)
Central Applications Office (CAO)
12 points
CAO points for Foundation Level grade F2 at accepting institutions
Central Applications Office (CAO)
5 strands
Number, Algebra, Geometry and Trigonometry, Statistics and Probability, and Functions
NCCA Leaving Certificate Mathematics syllabus
100
Free original single-best-answer practice questions here
OpenExamPrep
Leaving Certificate Foundation Level Mathematics is the most accessible of three Irish Leaving Cert Maths levels, set by the State Examinations Commission on the five-strand Project Maths syllabus. It is assessed by one written paper of 2 hours 30 minutes and 300 marks, with Section A (Concepts and Skills) and Section B (Contexts and Applications) of long-form questions — not multiple choice. Content is applied: number and financial maths, basic algebra, geometry and trigonometry, statistics and probability, and graphs. Grades use the F1-F8 scale; limited CAO points are available only for F1 (20) and F2 (12) at accepting institutions. This 100-question bank provides original single-best-answer concept practice within the Foundation band.
Sample LC Foundation Maths Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to review concepts for the LC Foundation Maths exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1Calculate 15% of 240 euro.
2A jacket costs 80 euro. It is reduced by 25% in a sale. What is the sale price?
3Share 90 euro in the ratio 2:3. What is the larger share?
4Convert 3.5 hours to minutes.
5Find the value of 4² + 3 × 5.
6A shop sells apples at 1.20 euro per kilogram. How much do 2.5 kg cost?
7What is 3/5 as a percentage?
8Round 47.6 to the nearest whole number.
9A train travels 180 km in 3 hours at constant speed. What is its average speed?
10Write 0.08 as a fraction in simplest form.
About the LC Foundation Maths Exam
Leaving Certificate Foundation Level Mathematics is the most accessible of the three levels (Higher, Ordinary and Foundation) of the Irish State examination in mathematics, sat at the end of the two-year senior cycle and administered by the State Examinations Commission. The Project Maths syllabus is built around five strands: Statistics and Probability; Geometry and Trigonometry; Number; Algebra; and Functions. At Foundation Level the emphasis is on applied number sense, everyday arithmetic and financial maths, basic linear algebra and patterns, basic geometry and right-angled trigonometry, data handling and simple probability, and reading graphs in real-life contexts. It is assessed by a single written paper of 2 hours 30 minutes worth 300 marks, split into Section A (Concepts and Skills) and Section B (Contexts and Applications). A calculator and the official Formulae and Tables booklet may be used. Results are reported on the F1-F8 grade scale. Certain higher-education institutions award limited CAO points for Foundation Level Mathematics at F1 (20 points) and F2 (12 points) 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
One written paper of 300 marks with two sections. Section A (Concepts and Skills) contains shorter structured questions; Section B (Contexts and Applications) contains longer applied questions. Candidates answer a selection of questions from each section. The paper is long-form written work, not multiple choice.
Time Limit
One paper lasting 2 hours 30 minutes (for example, 14:00-16:30 on the 2025 Foundation Level paper), sat during the June Leaving Certificate examination period.
Passing Score
No fixed pass mark. Results are reported on the F1-F8 scale (F1 = 90-100% down to F8 = below 30%). Limited CAO points apply only at F1 (20 points) and F2 (12 points), and only at institutions that accept Foundation Level Mathematics.
Exam / Certification Fees
Candidates in recognised schools pay the standard Leaving Certificate examination fee set annually by the SEC (for example, €116 for school-based candidates in 2026). External and repeat candidates pay an examination fee set 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.
Number (Strand 3)
Practice covers integers, decimals, fractions and percentages; ratio and proportion; currency conversion; pay, tax credits and net pay; household bills and VAT; best value and unit pricing; length, area and volume of common shapes and solids; and multi-step quantitative reasoning in everyday contexts.
Geometry and Trigonometry (Strand 2)
Practice covers perimeter and area of rectangles, triangles and composite shapes; volume of cuboids and cylinders; coordinate geometry of the line (distance, midpoint, slope); Pythagoras' theorem; right-angled trigonometry (sin, cos, tan); scale drawings; and enlargements with a scale factor.
Statistics and Probability (Strand 1)
Practice covers organising data; mean, median, mode and range; reading and interpreting bar charts, pie charts and stem-and-leaf diagrams; listing outcomes and counting choices; and simple probability of single and combined events in everyday settings.
Algebra (Strand 4)
Practice covers building expressions from patterns and sequences; substituting into and rearranging simple formulae; solving linear equations set in context; simple linear inequalities; and using tables to explore algebraic relationships.
Functions (Strand 5)
Practice covers relations and linear functions; plotting and reading graphs; slope and intercepts in context; distance-time graphs; and linking tables, equations and graphs for real-life situations.
Preparing for the LC Foundation Maths Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: No fixed pass mark. Results are reported on the F1-F8 scale (F1 = 90-100% down to F8 = below 30%). Limited CAO points apply only at F1 (20 points) and F2 (12 points), and only at institutions that accept Foundation Level Mathematics.
- Assessment: One written paper of 300 marks with two sections. Section A (Concepts and Skills) contains shorter structured questions; Section B (Contexts and Applications) contains longer applied questions. Candidates answer a selection of questions from each section. The paper is long-form written work, not multiple choice.
- Time limit: One paper lasting 2 hours 30 minutes (for example, 14:00-16:30 on the 2025 Foundation Level paper), sat during the June Leaving Certificate examination period.
- Exam / certification fees: Candidates in recognised schools pay the standard Leaving Certificate examination fee set annually by the SEC (for example, €116 for school-based candidates in 2026). External and repeat candidates pay an examination fee set 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
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
LC Foundation Maths: Suggested Study Strategy
Frequently Asked Questions
How is Leaving Certificate Foundation Level Maths examined?
It is examined by one written paper lasting 2 hours 30 minutes and worth 300 marks. The paper has Section A (Concepts and Skills) and Section B (Contexts and Applications). Candidates answer a selection of long-form written questions, not multiple-choice items.
Is Foundation Level Maths one paper or two?
Foundation Level Mathematics is assessed by a single paper (unlike Higher and Ordinary Level, which each have two papers). The Foundation paper covers all five strands in one sitting of 2 hours 30 minutes.
What CAO points does Foundation Level Maths give?
Only certain higher-education institutions award points for Foundation Level Mathematics. Where awarded, F1 gives 20 points and F2 gives 12 points. F3 and below attract 0 CAO points. Always check each institution's literature.
What are the five strands of the Foundation Level syllabus?
The Project Maths syllabus has five strands: Strand 1 Statistics and Probability, Strand 2 Geometry and Trigonometry, Strand 3 Number, Strand 4 Algebra, and Strand 5 Functions. Foundation Level learning outcomes are listed separately from Ordinary and Higher Level.
How are Foundation Level grades reported?
Results use the F1-F8 scale: F1 is 90-100%, F2 is 80 to under 90%, and so on in 10% bands down to F8 (below 30%). The same percentage bands apply as at Higher (H1-H8) and Ordinary (O1-O8) levels.
Are these official State Examinations Commission questions?
No. These are original OpenExamPrep single-best-answer concept questions modelled on the Foundation Level syllabus strands. The State Examinations Commission publishes official past papers and marking schemes separately, and you should also practise full long-form questions.