Every year, thousands of students sit the Leaving Certificate English exam feeling well prepared, yet many still lose marks on mistakes that could easily have been avoided. Whether you're aiming for a H1 or simply hoping to improve your grade, avoiding these seven common mistakes can make a real difference.
1. Answering the Question You Wanted, Not the One Asked
Students often prepare essays on popular themes or characters and then try to force those notes onto the exam question in front of them. Instead, highlight the key words in the question, decide exactly what it's asking, and make sure every paragraph of your answer links back to it. Examiners consistently reward answers that stay relevant to the actual question asked.
2. Using Quotes Without Explaining Them
A quotation only earns marks if you explain why it matters. Rather than simply dropping a quote into your answer, ask yourself what it shows about the theme or character, how it supports your argument, and why it's significant. Analysing a quote is always worth more than just quoting it.
3. Forgetting to Plan Your Answer
Many students see planning as a waste of time, but a few minutes spent planning usually saves time overall and produces a stronger, more logically structured essay. A good plan includes an introduction, three or four main points, supporting evidence, and a conclusion.
4. Writing Everything You Know About a Topic
The examiner isn't looking for everything you've learned about a theme or character — they want a focused answer to the specific question asked. Quality beats quantity every time.
5. Ignoring the Time Limit
Running out of time is one of the most common ways students lose marks. Practise completing exam questions under timed conditions well before the exam itself, so the pressure feels familiar on the day.
6. Weak Introductions
Avoid opening lines like "William Shakespeare was born...". Answer the question immediately and introduce your argument straight away — a strong introduction tells the examiner exactly where your answer is going from the very first line.
7. Not Reading the Examiner Reports
The State Examinations Commission publishes examiner reports every year, explaining what worked well in students' answers and what cost them marks. They're one of the most valuable free resources available for Leaving Cert English.
Improving at English isn't about learning more notes — it's about writing focused, relevant answers that directly address the question. At Leaving Cert Plus, our notes, short explainer videos and sample essays are all built around exactly that goal.