Free Practice Questions for LC Ordinary Maths
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Key Facts: LC Ordinary Maths Exam
2 papers
Ordinary Level Maths is assessed by two written papers, each 2 hours 30 minutes
State Examinations Commission
300 marks
Each paper is worth 300 marks, giving 600 marks in total
State Examinations Commission examination papers
5 strands
The Project Maths syllabus has five strands across Papers 1 and 2
NCCA Leaving Certificate Mathematics syllabus
O1-O8
Ordinary Level grades range from O1 (90-100%) to O8 (below 30%)
State Examinations Commission grading scale
OL subset of HL
Ordinary Level learning outcomes are a subset of Higher Level outcomes
NCCA Leaving Certificate Mathematics syllabus
2 sections
Each paper has Section A (Concepts and Skills) and Section B (Contexts and Applications)
State Examinations Commission examination papers
June sitting
Ordinary Level Maths papers are sat during the annual June Leaving Certificate examinations
State Examinations Commission timetable
100
Free original single-best-answer practice questions here
OpenExamPrep
Leaving Certificate Ordinary Level Mathematics is the middle of three levels in the Irish State exam, set by the State Examinations Commission on the five-strand Project Maths syllabus at reduced depth compared with Higher Level. It is assessed by two written papers, each 2 hours 30 minutes and 300 marks (600 marks total), each split into Section A (Concepts and Skills) and Section B (Contexts and Applications). Paper 1 covers Number, Algebra and Functions including Ordinary Level differentiation; Paper 2 covers Geometry and Trigonometry and Statistics and Probability. Results use the O1-O8 scale. This 100-question bank provides original single-best-answer concept practice across all five strands at Ordinary depth.
Sample LC Ordinary Maths Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to review concepts for the LC Ordinary Maths exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1Solve the equation 3x + 7 = 22.
2Solve 2(x - 4) = 10.
3Factorise x^2 + 5x + 6.
4Solve x^2 - 5x + 6 = 0.
5Use the quadratic formula to solve x^2 - 4x - 5 = 0.
6Solve the simultaneous equations: x + y = 7 and 2x - y = 5.
7Solve the simultaneous equations: 2x + y = 11 and x - y = 1.
8Simplify (x^2 - 9)/(x - 3) for x ≠ 3.
9Expand and simplify (x + 4)(x - 2).
10Solve the inequality 2x - 5 < 7.
About the LC Ordinary Maths Exam
Leaving Certificate Ordinary Level Mathematics is the middle 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. Ordinary Level learning outcomes are a subset of Higher Level: candidates work with complex numbers in rectangular form and differentiate polynomials for rates of change and maxima/minima, but do not take the full Higher Level treatment of integration, De Moivre's theorem, advanced inequality work, or the deepest inferential statistics. Assessment is by two written papers of 2 hours 30 minutes each, worth 300 marks per paper, with each paper split into Section A (Concepts and Skills) and Section B (Contexts and Applications). Results are reported on the O1-O8 grade scale.
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 written papers, each 300 marks. Each paper has Section A (Concepts and Skills) and Section B (Contexts and Applications). Paper 1 covers Number, Algebra and Functions (Ordinary Level differentiation); Paper 2 covers Geometry and Trigonometry, and Statistics and Probability.
Time Limit
Each paper lasts 2 hours 30 minutes and is sat on a separate day during the June examination period (600 marks across the two papers).
Passing Score
No fixed pass mark. Results are reported on the O1-O8 scale (O1 = 90-100% down to O8 = below 30%). CAO points apply from O1 (56 points) to O6 (12 points); O7 and O8 attract no points. Ordinary Level does not receive the 25 bonus CAO points that apply to Higher Level Mathematics at H6 or above.
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.
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.
Algebra (Strand 4)
Practice covers expanding and factorising, linear and quadratic equations (including the quadratic formula and discriminants at OL depth), simultaneous linear equations and one linear with one quadratic, linear inequalities, algebraic fractions, and complex numbers in rectangular form (operations, conjugate, modulus, Argand diagram) — without Higher Level polar form or De Moivre's theorem.
Functions (Strand 5)
Practice covers function evaluation and notation, graphs of linear and quadratic functions, composite evaluation, and Ordinary Level calculus: differentiation of linear, quadratic and cubic functions by rule, first principles for simple cases, slopes of tangents, rates of change, stationary points, and simple optimisation — without Higher Level integration.
Geometry and Trigonometry (Strand 2)
Practice covers coordinate geometry of the line (slope, equations, parallel and perpendicular lines, midpoint, distance, perpendicular distance) and the circle, enlargements, Pythagoras, trigonometric ratios, sine and cosine rules, and area of a triangle.
Statistics and Probability (Strand 1)
Practice covers mean, median, mode, range, interquartile range, counting and arrangements, basic and combined probability, independent events, expected value, the empirical rule, correlation, Bernoulli trials, and Ordinary Level inference using the margin of error 1/√n for a population proportion.
Number (Strand 3)
Practice covers number systems and irrationals, scientific notation, index laws, arithmetic sequences and series, recognising geometric sequences, financial mathematics (compound interest, reducing-balance depreciation, percentage profit and discounts), and length, area and volume including the trapezoidal rule.
Preparing for the LC Ordinary Maths Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: No fixed pass mark. Results are reported on the O1-O8 scale (O1 = 90-100% down to O8 = below 30%). CAO points apply from O1 (56 points) to O6 (12 points); O7 and O8 attract no points. Ordinary Level does not receive the 25 bonus CAO points that apply to Higher Level Mathematics at H6 or above.
- Assessment: Two written papers, each 300 marks. Each paper has Section A (Concepts and Skills) and Section B (Contexts and Applications). Paper 1 covers Number, Algebra and Functions (Ordinary Level differentiation); Paper 2 covers Geometry and Trigonometry, and Statistics and Probability.
- Time limit: Each paper lasts 2 hours 30 minutes and is sat on a separate day during the June examination period (600 marks across the two papers).
- 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 Ordinary Maths: Suggested Study Strategy
Frequently Asked Questions
How is Leaving Certificate Ordinary Level Maths examined?
It is examined by two written papers, each lasting 2 hours 30 minutes and worth 300 marks (600 marks in total). Each paper has Section A (Concepts and Skills) and Section B (Contexts and Applications).
What is the difference between Paper 1 and Paper 2 at Ordinary Level?
Paper 1 mainly covers Number, Algebra and Functions including Ordinary Level differentiation. Paper 2 mainly covers Geometry and Trigonometry, and Statistics and Probability. Both papers include short-answer and longer applied questions.
What are the five strands of the 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. Ordinary Level outcomes are a subset of Higher Level outcomes.
How does Ordinary Level differ from Higher Level Maths?
Ordinary Level covers the same five strands at reduced depth. For example, candidates use complex numbers in rectangular form and differentiate polynomials for rates of change and maxima/minima, but Higher Level goes further into integration, De Moivre's theorem, more advanced algebra and deeper inferential statistics. Only Higher Level Mathematics awards 25 bonus CAO points (for H6 or above).
How are Ordinary Level grades reported?
Ordinary Level results use the O1-O8 scale: O1 is 90-100%, O2 is 80 to under 90%, and so on in 10% bands down to O8 (below 30%). CAO points apply from O1 (56 points) to O6 (12 points).
Are these official State Examinations Commission questions?
No. These are original OpenExamPrep single-best-answer concept questions modelled on the Ordinary Level syllabus strands. The State Examinations Commission publishes official past papers and marking schemes separately, and you should also practise full long-form Ordinary Level questions.