Free Practice Questions for LC Latin
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Key Facts: LC Latin Exam
2 levels
Latin is examined at Higher and Ordinary level
State Examinations Commission / NCCA
To June 2026
Current syllabus remains for examination through June 2026
Curriculum Online Latin syllabus
Sept 2025
Redeveloped specification for introduction in schools from September 2025
NCCA Leaving Certificate Latin Specification
60% / 40%
Redeveloped assessment: written examination 60%, research study 40%
NCCA Leaving Certificate Latin Specification
2 strands
Redeveloped course: Strand 1 Language; Strand 2 Literature in context
NCCA Leaving Certificate Latin Specification
H1–H8
Higher Level grades from H1 (90–100%) to H8 (below 30%)
State Examinations Commission grading scale
June sitting
Written papers are sat in the annual June Leaving Certificate examinations
State Examinations Commission timetable
100
Free original single-best-answer practice questions here
OpenExamPrep
Leaving Certificate Latin develops reading proficiency in Latin and literary-cultural literacy for the Roman world. Assessment to June 2026 is a terminal SEC written paper; the redeveloped model adds a 40% research study beside a 60% written examination. This 100-question bank provides original single-best-answer practice across grammar and syntax, vocabulary and translation strategy, literature and metre, and culture, history and research-study skills—a study adaptation, not a full translation-paper simulation.
Sample LC Latin Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to review concepts for the LC Latin exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1In Classical Latin, what is the nominative singular form of the first-declension feminine noun meaning 'girl' (stem puell-)?
2What is the accusative singular of the second-declension masculine noun servus ('slave, servant')?
3Which case typically marks the direct object of a transitive verb in Classical Latin?
4What is the first person singular present active indicative of amo ('I love')?
5A Latin adjective normally agrees with its noun in which features?
6What is the genitive plural of rex, regis m. ('king')?
7In Latin dictionaries, which form is typically listed as the first principal part of a verb?
8What is the usual meaning of the preposition in with the ablative?
9Which personal ending marks 3rd person plural present active indicative of most regular Latin verbs (e.g. amant, monent, regunt, audiunt)?
10What gender is the noun bellum, belli n. ('war')?
About the LC Latin Exam
Leaving Certificate Latin is Ireland’s senior-cycle classical language examination in Latin, administered by the State Examinations Commission. Students learn to read culturally important texts in Latin, analysing grammar, vocabulary and style, and situating literature within Roman history and culture. The syllabus examined to June 2026 assesses composition or comprehension, prescribed and unprescribed translation, grammar and scansion, and history/art/literature at Higher and Ordinary level. The redeveloped specification (for introduction in schools from September 2025) organises learning in two strands—Latin Language and Literature in context—and assesses candidates through a written examination (60%) and a language-centred research study (40%), with a shared Capstone text. Results use the standard Leaving Certificate H1–H8 / O1–O8 grade bands. This OpenExamPrep bank is an English-language MCQ study adaptation for concept practice; it is not an official SEC paper and does not replace full written translation practice.
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
Higher and Ordinary levels, examined by the State Examinations Commission. Syllabus for examination to June 2026: terminal written paper (composition into Latin or unprescribed prose comprehension; prescribed text with subsidiary questions; named authors / unprescribed passages with vocabulary aid; grammar and scansion; history, art and literature from the death of Caesar to the death of Trajan). Redeveloped NCCA specification (introduction September 2025): written examination 60% and research study 40%, with Strand 1 Latin Language and Strand 2 Literature in context, including a prescribed Capstone text.
Time Limit
Written papers are sat in the annual June Leaving Certificate examination period under the SEC timetable. The redeveloped research study is envisaged to take up to about 20 hours and follows an SEC brief with published submission dates.
Passing Score
No fixed pass mark. Results are reported on the H1–H8 scale at Higher Level and O1–O8 at Ordinary Level (H1/O1 = 90–100% down to H8/O8 = below 30%).
Exam / Certification Fees
Candidates in recognised schools do not pay a separate sitting fee; external and repeat candidates pay an examination fee set annually by the State Examinations Commission.
Exam sponsor websiteFees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.
Official sources
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, morphology and syntax
Practice covers first- to fifth-declension nouns, adjectives and agreement, cases and prepositions, present/imperfect/perfect/pluperfect systems, conjugations, deponents, participles and infinitives, subjunctive uses, purpose/result/indirect questions, ablative absolute, accusative + infinitive, conditionals and sequence of tenses needed for accurate reading.
Vocabulary and translation strategies
Practice covers high-frequency lexis and cognates, principal parts and irregular verbs, prepositions, discourse connectives, negation, aspect in translation, relative clauses and methods for attacking unprescribed passages when vocabulary aid is supplied.
Literature, metre and literary concepts
Practice covers epic and elegiac conventions, dactylic hexameter and elegiac couplet, key authors (Virgil, Ovid, Cicero, Caesar, Livy, Horace, Catullus), close reading, Capstone-text purpose, and literary terms such as pietas, furor, pathos and rhetorical devices.
Culture, history and research study
Practice covers the late Republic and early Empire (including the older syllabus history period from Caesar’s death to Trajan), Roman political institutions, religion, art and architecture (e.g. Ara Pacis, Trajan’s Column), and research-study expectations under the redeveloped assessment (language-centred topic, sources, broader Roman context).
Preparing for the LC Latin Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: No fixed pass mark. Results are reported on the H1–H8 scale at Higher Level and O1–O8 at Ordinary Level (H1/O1 = 90–100% down to H8/O8 = below 30%).
- Assessment: Higher and Ordinary levels, examined by the State Examinations Commission. Syllabus for examination to June 2026: terminal written paper (composition into Latin or unprescribed prose comprehension; prescribed text with subsidiary questions; named authors / unprescribed passages with vocabulary aid; grammar and scansion; history, art and literature from the death of Caesar to the death of Trajan). Redeveloped NCCA specification (introduction September 2025): written examination 60% and research study 40%, with Strand 1 Latin Language and Strand 2 Literature in context, including a prescribed Capstone text.
- Time limit: Written papers are sat in the annual June Leaving Certificate examination period under the SEC timetable. The redeveloped research study is envisaged to take up to about 20 hours and follows an SEC brief with published submission dates.
- Exam / certification fees: Candidates in recognised schools do not pay a separate sitting fee; external and repeat candidates pay an examination fee set annually by 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 Latin: Suggested Study Strategy
Frequently Asked Questions
How is Leaving Certificate Latin examined?
It is examined by the State Examinations Commission at Higher and Ordinary level. Candidates sitting the older syllabus (to June 2026) take a terminal written paper. The redeveloped specification introduces a written examination worth 60% and a research study worth 40%.
What is the difference between the old syllabus and the redeveloped specification?
The syllabus for examination to June 2026 emphasises composition/comprehension, prescribed and unprescribed translation, grammar and scansion, and history/art/literature on a written paper. The redeveloped specification (introduction September 2025) is organised in two strands—Latin Language and Literature in context—and adds a substantial language-centred research study plus a shared Capstone text.
What authors and genres are typically involved?
School Latin commonly engages Virgil (Aeneid), Ovid, Cicero’s oratory, Caesar and Livy for prose historiography, Horace’s Odes and Catullus for lyric. Exact prescribed/Capstone passages are published for each examination year; unprescribed named-author ranges appear on the older syllabus lists.
Why is this practice bank in multiple-choice format?
These are original OpenExamPrep single-best-answer questions for efficient practice of forms, vocabulary, translation strategy, literary concepts and cultural knowledge. The official SEC exam requires written translation, commentary and extended answers (and research reporting under the new model). This bank is a study adaptation, not a simulation of the full translation paper.
How are grades reported?
Higher Level uses H1–H8 and Ordinary Level uses O1–O8. The top seven grades split 100% to 30% into 10% bands; grade 8 is below 30%.
Are these official State Examinations Commission questions?
No. They are original concept-practice items covering topics from curriculumonline.ie Latin content. Use SEC past papers, marking schemes and the prescribed texts for full examination preparation.