SEC apologises for error in Leaving Cert biology, claims no AI used in developing paper

The SEC said it acknowledges that 'this error may have been a cause of confusion for some candidates'. File picture

The State Examinations Commission has apologised for an error on Tuesday's Leaving Cert biology paper following concerns that AI may have been used to generate the erroneous diagram.

The error will be "fully taken into account" by the chief examiner in the final marking scheme, a spokesperson for the SEC told the Irish Examiner on Tuesday night.

It said that no AI software or applications were used in the development of the biology paper, including any of the graphics.

The error occurred in genetics, in question 16(a) of higher-level biology.

It contained a mislabelling error in diagram B, with the four daughter cells in diagram B each having ’2n', when this should have said 'n'.

Leaving Certificate biology is marked out of 400. Question 16(a), an optional question, carries a total of 30 marks and is divided into five parts (i)–(v). The SEC said the mislabelling of the diagram may have affected candidates’ answers to parts (i) and (ii), each worth up to six marks, or 3% of the overall exam.

The SEC said it acknowledges that "this error may have been a cause of confusion for some candidates".

It said: “The SEC operates within the core principle that candidates cannot be disadvantaged due to an error on an examination paper. 

"The SEC apologises to candidates impacted by this issue, noting that the impact on candidates’ answering will be fully taken into account by the chief examiner when finalising the marking scheme for this examination."

The marking scheme will be published along with those in all other subjects after results are issued in mid-August, the SEC said.

Candidates will have the option of appealing their results.

The SEC said that creating exam papers is an 18-month process from concept to delivery.

“Accordingly, development of the live 2026 examination papers commenced in January 2025.

“The SEC keeps its examination paper development processes under review, including in respect of emerging issues.” 

Regarding any use of AI, it said: “The timing of any updates to guidance or procedures must be considered in the context of the examination paper development cycle. 

"Following a review of procedures, the SEC updated its guidance and procedures in relation to the use of generative AI in its paper development process in October 2025, at which point the 2026 papers were already in development.

“However, I can confirm that at no stage have any examination questions been developed using AI software or applications.” 

 Almost 37,000 (36,946) candidates were entered to sit Tuesday’s Leaving Certificate biology examinations.