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.

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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 test your LC Ordinary Maths exam readiness. 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.

A.x = 5

B.x = 29/3

C.x = 15

D.x = 3

Explanation: Subtract 7 from both sides: 3x = 15. Divide by 3: x = 5. Check: 3(5) + 7 = 22.

2Solve 2(x - 4) = 10.

A.x = -1

B.x = 9

C.x = 1

D.x = 5

Explanation: Expand: 2x - 8 = 10. Add 8: 2x = 18. Divide by 2: x = 9. Check: 2(9 - 4) = 10.

3Factorise x^2 + 5x + 6.

A.(x + 2)(x - 3)

B.(x - 2)(x - 3)

C.(x + 2)(x + 3)

D.(x + 1)(x + 6)

Explanation: Find two numbers that multiply to 6 and add to 5: 2 and 3. So x^2 + 5x + 6 = (x + 2)(x + 3).

4Solve x^2 - 5x + 6 = 0.

A.x = 1 or x = 6

B.x = -2 or x = -3

C.x = 5 or x = 6

D.x = 2 or x = 3

Explanation: Factorise: (x - 2)(x - 3) = 0, so x = 2 or x = 3.

5Use the quadratic formula to solve x^2 - 4x - 5 = 0.

A.x = 5 or x = -1

B.x = 2 or x = -2

C.x = 4 or x = -5

D.x = 1 or x = -5

Explanation: a = 1, b = -4, c = -5. Discriminant = 16 + 20 = 36. x = (4 ± 6)/2, so x = 5 or x = -1.

6Solve the simultaneous equations: x + y = 7 and 2x - y = 5.

A.x = 3, y = 4

B.x = 4, y = 3

C.x = 5, y = 2

D.x = 2, y = 5

Explanation: Add the equations: 3x = 12 so x = 4. Then 4 + y = 7 gives y = 3. Check: 8 - 3 = 5.

7Solve the simultaneous equations: 2x + y = 11 and x - y = 1.

A.x = 2, y = 7

B.x = 3, y = 4

C.x = 4, y = 3

D.x = 5, y = 1

Explanation: Add the equations: 3x = 12 so x = 4. Then 4 - y = 1 gives y = 3. Check: 2(4) + 3 = 11.

8Simplify (x^2 - 9)/(x - 3) for x ≠ 3.

A.x^2 - 3

B.x - 3

C.x - 9

D.x + 3

Explanation: x^2 - 9 = (x - 3)(x + 3). Cancel (x - 3) for x ≠ 3 to leave x + 3.

9Expand and simplify (x + 4)(x - 2).

A.x^2 + 2x - 8

B.x^2 - 2x - 8

C.x^2 + 2x + 8

D.x^2 + 6x - 8

Explanation: FOIL: x^2 - 2x + 4x - 8 = x^2 + 2x - 8.

10Solve the inequality 2x - 5 < 7.

A.x < 1

B.x < 6

C.x > 1

D.x > 6

Explanation: Add 5: 2x < 12. Divide by 2: x < 6. The inequality direction is unchanged.

About the LC Ordinary Maths Practice Questions

Verified exam format metadata for Leaving Certificate Ordinary Level Mathematics is pending. The practice questions above remain available while official exam length, timing, passing score, fee, and administrator details are reviewed.

100+ Free LC Ordinary Maths Practice Questions

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Key Facts: LC Ordinary Maths Exam

Sample LC Ordinary Maths Practice Questions

About the LC Ordinary Maths Practice Questions