Leaving Cert Irish and Biology papers praised as fair and student-friendly

All smiles from Doireann Nyhan, Isabel O'Connell, Racael Ryan, Sarah Malone and Lauren Kenny who completed the Junior Certificate French Exam in St Aloysius College in Carrigtwohill. Picture: Howard Crowdy

There were “signs of relief” around many exam centres on Tuesday, with “well-constructed” and student-friendly papers as the second week of the 2026 State examinations continued.

Tuesday saw students sit Leaving Cert Irish Paper 2 and Biology, as well as Junior Cycle French and Graphics.

The higher-level Irish Paper 2 was a fair and accessible paper that should have been well received by students, according to Stephen Doyle, a teacher at Moyle Park College and Studyclix subject spokesperson.

He said the paper’s reading comprehensions were both “topical and relevant”.

The first passage focused on Sister Stan, while the second examined the issue of fast fashion.

“The grammar section contained no major surprises and the 6(b) questions were very manageable for well-prepared candidates,” he added.

“A sigh of relief would have been heard around many exam centres as the much-anticipated Cáca Milis and Dís appeared in the Prós section.”

Melina Fernando, Aoibhinn O'Brien and Sadie Linehan who were happy with the Leaving Certificate Irish Paper 2 Higher Paper at St Aloysius College in Carrigtwohill. Picture: Howard Crowdy

Students had a choice between the two texts and the questions were very straightforward, Mr Doyle said.

The paper’s Litríocht Bhreise section also offered plenty of choice, he said.

“ All of these questions were accessible and allowed students to demonstrate a strong knowledge of their chosen text.

"Overall, this was a very fair paper with no major surprises. The texts that appeared were widely expected and the questions were straightforward, giving students plenty of opportunities to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding.”

This year’s Leaving Cert Biology papers were also well received by students and teachers, according to teacher Liam Hennelly, Studyclix subject spokesperson.

Aisling O'Leary, Liadain Keane, Katie Hennessy and Aoife Armstrong analysing the Leaving Certificate Irish Paper 2 Higher Paper at St Aloysius College in Carrigtwohill. Picture: Howard Crowdy

The higher-level paper was “very well-constructed”, he said.

"It offered generous choice across all three units of the course and gave students ample opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge. While some sections were challenging and required strong subject mastery, that is to be expected at higher level.

“Question 11, which examined metabolism, respiration and photosynthesis, was generally straightforward, though part (c)(iv) may have stretched some students as it required them to describe the role of protons from photolysis in glucose formation." 

“There were also three human biology questions available, allowing students to potentially secure 100 marks, a full 25% of the paper, from these questions alone. 

"That will have come as a welcome relief to many." 

Sarah Ahern and Niamh Hartnett who completed the Leaving Certificate Irish Paper 2 Higher Paper at St Aloysius College in Carrigtwohill. Picture: Howard Crowdy

Human biology also featured heavily on the ordinary-level paper, with five questions in this area accounting for a “substantial” 65% of the paper.

"This will have been a welcome relief for many students, as human biology is often viewed as the most relatable and straightforward section to study.”

Meanwhile, the ordinary-level Irish paper was described as “student-friendly” and covered key areas students would have been expecting.

“The reading comprehensions focused on Ráth Chairn and the music group The Corrs, two accessible topics that students should have found manageable.”

Saorla Twomey, Lara McLaughlin and Sadhana Balomourougan who were happy with the Leaving Certificate Higher Irish Paper 2 at St Aloysius College in Carrigtwohill. Picture: Howard Crowdy

The paper’s poetry section featured Géibheann, An tEarrach Thiar and An Spailpín Fánach.

“The questions were straightforward and rewarded students who had prepared their texts well.”

Separately, the Junior Cycle French exam contained no major surprises for the 2026 cohort.

Teacher Isabel Conlon, of John the Baptist Community School in Limerick and a Studyclix spokesperson, said the paper was “accessible and balanced”, rewarding students who had developed a solid command of core vocabulary and key grammatical structures.

The listening comprehension assessed candidates’ vocabulary across a broad range of familiar topics, including food and modes of transport, while the comprehension section included texts on television listings, student life in Québec and festivals.

Ann Marie O'Driscoll, Caoimhe Egan and Ruby Hennessy who took the Junior Certificate French Examination in St Aloysius College in Carrigtwohill. Picture: Howard Crowdy

The “much-anticipated” written section differed slightly from previous years, she added, with a nod to the French Leaving Certificate diary-entry question, while the paper’s final question also departed from the familiar blog or email format.

Instead, students were tasked with delivering a personal presentation about themselves, their bedroom, their favourite school subject and why, their plans for the Christmas holidays, how they celebrated their birthday, and their favourite French town or city and why.

The 2026 State examinations continue on Wednesday with Leaving Cert History and French, and Junior Cycle Home Economics and Spanish.