Free Practice Questions for LC Irish
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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 review concepts for the LC Irish exam. 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)?
2How many total marks are available for Leaving Certificate Irish at each level?
3At which levels is Leaving Certificate Irish examined?
4Which component is NOT assessed at Foundation Level Irish?
5When is the Leaving Certificate Irish oral examination typically held?
6What is the Irish-language name commonly used for the oral Irish examination?
7What does cluastuiscint assess in Leaving Certificate Irish?
8Approximately what share of Higher Level Irish marks is awarded for aural comprehension?
9Which body administers the Leaving Certificate examinations in Ireland?
10What is a sraith pictiúr in the Irish oral exam?
About the LC Irish Exam
Leaving Certificate Irish (Gaeilge) is a senior-cycle language subject in Ireland, examined by the State Examinations Commission at Higher, Ordinary and Foundation Level. Assessment combines a high-stakes oral examination (40% of marks) with written papers that include aural comprehension, reading, composition and—at Higher and Ordinary Level—literature. The current syllabus emphasises communicative competence, cultural insight and literature study. The official exam is conducted largely through Irish. This free bank is an English-language multiple-choice study adaptation covering grammar concepts, cultural knowledge, comprehension strategies, oral-exam structure knowledge, literature themes at concept level, and differences across Foundation, Ordinary and Higher Level. It is not an official translation of SEC papers and is not a substitute for speaking, listening or extended writing practice in Irish.
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
600 total marks at each level: Oral 240 (40%) + written components 360 (60%). Higher/Ordinary written assessment uses two papers — Paper 1 (aural + composition; HL ≈2 h 20 min / OL ≈1 h 50 min, 160 marks) and Paper 2 (reading + literature; HL ≈3 h 5 min / OL ≈2 h 20 min, 200 marks). Foundation Level uses one written paper (≈2 h 20 min, 360 marks: aural 120, reading 150, writing 90) with no literature. Typical HL/OL oral breakdown: introduction (5), poetry reading (35), conversation (120), picture sequence (80). Practice here is an English-language MCQ study adaptation, not an official format simulation.
Time Limit
Oral around Easter of sixth year; written papers in the June Leaving Certificate timetable. Approximate written durations: HL Paper 1 2 h 20 min, HL Paper 2 3 h 5 min; OL Paper 1 1 h 50 min, OL Paper 2 2 h 20 min; Foundation one paper 2 h 20 min. Confirm each year’s SEC timetable.
Passing Score
No pass/fail for the subject alone. Grades H1–H8, O1–O8 and F1–F8 on the senior-cycle scale. CAO points are awarded from H6/O6 upward (and limited Foundation points at F1/F2). Course-specific matriculation rules may require a minimum Irish grade.
Exam / Certification Fees
There is no separate fee for Irish 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.
Grammar concepts and language systems
Core Irish grammar studied across levels: verb tenses and irregular verbs, the copula (is) versus the substantive verb (bí), noun gender and cases, initial mutations (séimhiú and urú), prepositional pronouns, adjectives, numbers and common sentence patterns. Practice items may include short Irish phrases with English explanations.
Oral exam structure and communication strategies
How the béaltriail is organised and marked (introduction, poetry reading at HL/OL, conversation, sraith pictiúr / picture sequence; Foundation topic blocks), what examiners reward (fluency, range, accuracy, interaction), and practical preparation strategies. This bank explains structure; it does not replace live oral practice.
Aural, reading and composition components
Weightings and skills for cluastuiscint, reading comprehension and composition across Higher, Ordinary and Foundation Level papers, plus time-management and exam technique for multi-paper written assessment.
Literature themes at concept level
How poetry, prose and additional literature are assessed at Higher and Ordinary Level (not Foundation); typical themes such as identity, place, family, language and society; and analytical approaches (imagery, tone, character, narrative viewpoint) without relying on any single year’s prescribed list alone.
Culture, Gaeltacht and language awareness
Irish-language culture and heritage knowledge useful for conversation and composition: Gaeltacht regions, language status, festivals, media, dialects (canúintí), and common proverbs (seanfhocail).
Levels, marking and certification logistics
Differences among Higher, Ordinary and Foundation Level; grading H1–H8 / O1–O8 / F1–F8; CAO points implications; exemptions context; and honest use of this English MCQ bank versus official Irish-medium papers.
Preparing for the LC Irish Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: No pass/fail for the subject alone. Grades H1–H8, O1–O8 and F1–F8 on the senior-cycle scale. CAO points are awarded from H6/O6 upward (and limited Foundation points at F1/F2). Course-specific matriculation rules may require a minimum Irish grade.
- Assessment: 600 total marks at each level: Oral 240 (40%) + written components 360 (60%). Higher/Ordinary written assessment uses two papers — Paper 1 (aural + composition; HL ≈2 h 20 min / OL ≈1 h 50 min, 160 marks) and Paper 2 (reading + literature; HL ≈3 h 5 min / OL ≈2 h 20 min, 200 marks). Foundation Level uses one written paper (≈2 h 20 min, 360 marks: aural 120, reading 150, writing 90) with no literature. Typical HL/OL oral breakdown: introduction (5), poetry reading (35), conversation (120), picture sequence (80). Practice here is an English-language MCQ study adaptation, not an official format simulation.
- Time limit: Oral around Easter of sixth year; written papers in the June Leaving Certificate timetable. Approximate written durations: HL Paper 1 2 h 20 min, HL Paper 2 3 h 5 min; OL Paper 1 1 h 50 min, OL Paper 2 2 h 20 min; Foundation one paper 2 h 20 min. Confirm each year’s SEC timetable.
- Exam / certification fees: There is no separate fee for Irish 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 Irish: Suggested Study Strategy
Frequently Asked Questions
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.