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Frequently Asked Questions
The Leaving Certificate English exam takes place every June and is divided into Paper 1 and Paper 2, which are sat on separate days. English is typically one of the first examinations on the Leaving Certificate timetable, with the official schedule released annually by the State Examinations Commission (SEC).
Leaving Certificate English is divided into two papers. Paper 1 includes Reading Comprehension and Composition (Personal Essay, Speech, Article, Short Story and more). Paper 2 includes the Single Text, Comparative Study, Prescribed Poetry and Unseen Poetry. Students are assessed on their ability to analyse, interpret and communicate their ideas clearly and effectively.
The best way to improve your grade is through consistent practice. Completing past exam questions, learning how to answer the question directly, analysing quotations instead of simply memorising essays and reviewing examiner reports can all make a significant difference.
Leaving Cert Plus English provides expert exam-focused notes, video lessons and short explainers, sample H1-style answers, essay guides and writing frameworks, revision resources for every section of the course, and exam techniques based on examiner expectations.
No. While it's important to know your texts well, memorising full essays isn't the best approach. Students who understand the themes, characters, quotations and literary techniques are much better equipped to adapt their answers to the question asked.
