How is Leaving Certificate Irish structured?

At every level, the oral examination is worth 240 marks (40%). The remaining 360 marks (60%) come from written components that include aural, reading and composition; Higher and Ordinary also examine literature on Paper 2, while Foundation has no literature component and uses a single written paper.

What are the three levels of Leaving Cert Irish?

Irish is examined at Higher Level, Ordinary Level and Foundation Level. Higher and Ordinary include set literature and two written papers plus the oral. Foundation Level emphasises practical communication, has a heavier aural weighting, and does not assess literature.

How is the Irish oral exam organised?

The oral is typically held around Easter of sixth year and is worth 40% of the subject. At Higher and Ordinary Level it commonly includes a short introduction, poetry reading, a general conversation and a picture sequence (sraith pictiúr). Foundation oral work is organised around everyday topic blocks such as family, school, pastimes and holidays.

Is the official exam in English or Irish?

The official SEC examination is largely conducted through Irish: candidates speak, listen, read and write in Irish (with bilingual instructions possible on some materials). This OpenExamPrep bank is an English-language MCQ study adaptation for concepts and logistics — not an official translation or a replacement for Irish-medium practice.

Is Leaving Cert Irish multiple choice?

No. Official assessment uses oral performance, aural questions, reading and written composition, plus literature responses at Higher/Ordinary Level. This free bank uses single-best-answer multiple-choice questions to check grammar, culture, structure knowledge and study strategies.

Are these official SEC questions?

No. These are original OpenExamPrep questions. Official past papers and marking schemes are available free from the State Examinations Commission examination material archive. Always practise productive Irish with past papers, spoken drills and aural materials.

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: LC Irish Exam

40%

Oral examination weighting at Higher, Ordinary and Foundation Level (240 of 600 marks)

NCCA / SEC Leaving Certificate Irish assessment

3 levels

Irish is examined at Higher, Ordinary and Foundation Level

Curriculum Online - Gaeilge

600 marks

Total marks available for Leaving Certificate Irish at each level

NCCA Leaving Certificate Irish assessment tables

No literature

Foundation Level written assessment does not include a literature component

NCCA Leaving Certificate Irish assessment

2 papers

Higher and Ordinary Level written assessment uses Paper 1 and Paper 2 plus the separate oral

State Examinations Commission / NCCA

Easter oral

The oral examination is typically held around Easter of the final senior-cycle year

Curriculum Online - Gaeilge

English MCQ adaptation

This bank is an English-language study aid; the official exam is largely through Irish

OpenExamPrep practice-language policy

100

Free original multiple-choice practice questions in this bank

OpenExamPrep

Leaving Certificate Irish (Gaeilge) is assessed by the SEC at Higher, Ordinary and Foundation Level with a 40% oral (240 marks) and 60% written components (aural, reading, composition; literature on HL/OL only). Total marks: 600. Official assessment is largely through Irish. This 100-question bank is an English-language MCQ study adaptation for concepts, grammar, culture and exam logistics — not an oral or full-paper substitute.

Sample LC Irish Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your LC Irish exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1At Higher, Ordinary and Foundation Level, what percentage of Leaving Certificate Irish marks is awarded for the oral examination (béaltriail)?

A.10%

B.25%

C.40%

D.60%

Explanation: Since the 2012 assessment arrangements, the oral examination is worth 240 of 600 marks — 40% — at Higher, Ordinary and Foundation Level. Written components make up the remaining 60%.

2How many total marks are available for Leaving Certificate Irish at each level?

A.400

B.500

C.600

D.800

Explanation: Leaving Certificate Irish is marked out of 600 at Higher, Ordinary and Foundation Level: 240 oral + 360 written-component marks.

3At which levels is Leaving Certificate Irish examined?

A.Higher and Ordinary only

B.Higher, Ordinary and Foundation

C.Ordinary and Foundation only

D.Higher Level only

Explanation: Irish is one of the Leaving Certificate subjects examined at three levels: Higher, Ordinary and Foundation. Mathematics is the other common three-level subject.

4Which component is NOT assessed at Foundation Level Irish?

A.Oral examination

B.Aural comprehension

C.Literature (prose/poetry paper component)

D.Reading comprehension

Explanation: Foundation Level includes oral, aural, reading and writing but does not assess literature. Higher and Ordinary Level include literature on Paper 2.

5When is the Leaving Certificate Irish oral examination typically held?

A.In September of fifth year

B.Around Easter of sixth year

C.Only on the same day as Paper 1 in June

D.In January of fifth year only

Explanation: Curriculum guidance and school practice place the oral examination around Easter of the final senior-cycle year, before the June written papers.

6What is the Irish-language name commonly used for the oral Irish examination?

A.Cluastuiscint

B.Béaltriail

C.Scrúdú cothromais

D.Aiste fhada

Explanation: Béaltriail is the standard term for the oral examination. Cluastuiscint refers to aural/listening comprehension.

7What does cluastuiscint assess in Leaving Certificate Irish?

A.Only poetry memorisation

B.Listening comprehension of spoken Irish

C.Only picture-sequence storytelling

D.Only English translation accuracy

Explanation: Cluastuiscint is the aural component: candidates listen to Irish audio and show understanding through written responses.

8Approximately what share of Higher Level Irish marks is awarded for aural comprehension?

A.About 10% (60 marks)

B.About 40% (240 marks)

C.About 50% (300 marks)

D.0% — there is no aural at Higher Level

Explanation: At Higher and Ordinary Level the aural is about 60 marks (10%). At Foundation Level the aural is larger (about 120 marks / 20%).

9Which body administers the Leaving Certificate examinations in Ireland?

A.NCCA only sets and marks every paper alone

B.State Examinations Commission (SEC)

C.CAO alone marks subjects

D.Only individual schools without external oversight

Explanation: The State Examinations Commission (SEC) administers Leaving Certificate examinations. The NCCA develops curriculum specifications; the CAO manages third-level applications/points.

10What is a sraith pictiúr in the Irish oral exam?

A.A listening CD track list

B.A picture sequence used as a storytelling prompt

C.A grammar multiple-choice booklet

D.An English-to-Irish dictionary extract

Explanation: A sraith pictiúr is a sequence of pictures. Candidates narrate and expand the story in Irish as part of the oral examination.

About the LC Irish Practice Questions

Verified exam format metadata for Leaving Certificate Irish / Gaeilge (Ireland) is pending. The practice questions above remain available while official exam length, timing, passing score, fee, and administrator details are reviewed.

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Sample LC Irish Practice Questions

About the LC Irish Practice Questions