How is Leaving Certificate Portuguese examined?

Through three components assessed by the State Examinations Commission: an oral examination, an aural examination, and a written examination (reading and writing). Assessment is available at Higher and Ordinary Level with different mark allocations.

What is the Language Portfolio?

Over the two years of the course each learner develops a Language Portfolio of written, oral and multimodal work with reflections and goals. In the oral examination candidates discuss a sample of portfolio texts; the portfolio itself is not marked for certification.

Are Brazilian and European Portuguese both accepted?

Yes. The specification is designed for all standard varieties of Portuguese. Stimulus materials may reflect diverse varieties, and candidates are not penalised for responding in a standard variety different from that of the interlocutor or stimulus.

What CEFR level is Leaving Cert Portuguese aligned to?

Learner expectations are broadly aligned with CEFR A2/B1 and with other Leaving Certificate curricular languages such as French, German, Spanish and Italian.

How do Higher and Ordinary Level weightings differ?

At Higher Level a greater share of marks goes to productive and interactive tasks (oral and writing); at Ordinary Level a greater share goes to receptive tasks (aural and reading). Both levels assess the same broad learning outcomes.

Are these official State Examinations Commission questions?

No. These are original OpenExamPrep single-best-answer concept questions. Use SEC sample papers, past papers and audio files for full oral, aural and written practice.

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: LC Portuguese Exam

3 components

Oral, aural and written examinations assessed by the SEC

NCCA Leaving Certificate Portuguese specification

180 hours

Minimum class contact time designed into the specification

NCCA Leaving Certificate Portuguese specification

A2/B1

Expectations broadly aligned with CEFR A2/B1 levels

NCCA Leaving Certificate Portuguese specification

2022

First Leaving Certificate Portuguese examination sitting

Languages Connect / curricular language introduction

H1–H8 / O1–O8

Eight-point grading scale at Higher and Ordinary Level

State Examinations Commission grading scale

All varieties

All standard varieties of Portuguese accepted in responses and stimuli

NCCA Leaving Certificate Portuguese specification

2 strands

Communicative language competence and plurilingual/pluricultural competence

NCCA Leaving Certificate Portuguese specification

100

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OpenExamPrep

Leaving Certificate Portuguese is Ireland’s curricular Portuguese exam (NCCA specification; SEC assessment) at Higher and Ordinary Level, first examined in 2022. It is assessed by three components—oral, aural and written—with mark weightings that emphasise productive/interactive skills more at Higher Level and receptive skills more at Ordinary Level. The course targets communicative proficiency roughly at CEFR A2/B1, plus knowledge of Lusophone cultures and language variation. This 100-question bank provides original multiple-choice practice on grammar, culture and exam-component knowledge with English explanations.

Sample LC Portuguese Practice Questions

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

1What does the Portuguese verb ser primarily express?

A.Temporary states, location and ongoing conditions

B.Permanent or identifying characteristics, origin and time of events

C.Only future actions

D.Only commands and requests

Explanation: Ser is used for more permanent or defining attributes (nationality, profession, identity), origin, and clock time. Estar is preferred for temporary states, location and progressive constructions.

2Complete: 'Ela _____ portuguesa.' (She is Portuguese — nationality)

A.está

B.é

C.tem

D.fica

Explanation: Nationality is an identifying characteristic, so ser is required: 'Ela é portuguesa.'

3Which definite article correctly pairs with the feminine noun 'casa'?

A.o casa

B.a casa

C.os casa

D.as casa

Explanation: Casa is feminine singular, so it takes the feminine singular definite article a: 'a casa' (the house).

4What is the English meaning of the Portuguese greeting 'Bom dia'?

A.Good evening

B.Good night

C.Good morning / good day

D.See you later

Explanation: Bom dia is used from morning until roughly early afternoon to mean 'good morning' or 'good day'.

5Choose the correct present-tense form: 'Nós _____ (falar) português.'

A.falo

B.falas

C.fala

D.falamos

Explanation: For nós (we), regular -ar verbs take the ending -amos in the present indicative: falamos.

6Which Portuguese number means 'ten'?

A.cinco

B.oito

C.dez

D.vinte

Explanation: Dez means ten. Cinco is five, oito is eight, and vinte is twenty.

7What is the capital of Portugal?

A.Porto

B.Lisbon (Lisboa)

C.Coimbra

D.Braga

Explanation: Lisbon (Lisboa) is the capital and largest city of Portugal. Porto is a major northern city but not the capital.

8What is the capital of Brazil?

A.São Paulo

B.Rio de Janeiro

C.Brasília

D.Salvador

Explanation: Brasília has been Brazil's planned capital since 1960. São Paulo is the largest city; Rio de Janeiro was the capital earlier.

9Leaving Certificate Portuguese is assessed through which three SEC components?

A.Coursework only, oral only, and project only

B.An oral examination, an aural examination, and a written examination

C.Multiple-choice paper, laboratory practical, and oral only

D.Two written papers only, like Higher Maths

Explanation: According to the NCCA specification, LC Portuguese has three assessment components: oral, aural and written examinations, all administered by the SEC.

10What does 'obrigado' / 'obrigada' mean?

A.Please

B.Sorry

C.Thank you

D.Excuse me

Explanation: Obrigado (said by a male speaker) and obrigada (said by a female speaker) mean 'thank you'.

About the LC Portuguese Practice Questions

Verified exam format metadata for Leaving Certificate Portuguese (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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Key Facts: LC Portuguese Exam

Sample LC Portuguese Practice Questions

About the LC Portuguese Practice Questions