Irish (Junior Cert)

The Irish syllabus at the Junior Cycle level is aimed at developing the student's aural, written, speech, and literature skills. The examination then tests the student's proficiency of these skills.^[4]

Prior to 2021, students could take the optional Oral exam (Irish: Scrúdú béil) that aided with pronunciation and speaking Irish for the Leaving Certificate examination. The oral exam was worth 160 marks were graded out of 400 marks, compared to the students not taking the oral exam that were graded out of 240. The oral exam was worth 40% of the total exam.^[5] In 2021, the optional oral examination was replaced with mandatory classroom-based assessments as part of reforms to the junior certificate.^[6]

Students who were educated outside of Ireland until age 12, have learning difficulties, or are in special education can obtain an exemption from the subject if they attend an English-medium school.^[7]

The Higher level examination has one written paper, which last 2 hours (120 minutes) in total and is worth 225 marks,^[8] and an aural comprehension (Irish: Cluastuiscint) examination, which lasts 30 minutes, with a maximum of 45 marks available. There are certain rules which apply to all students. For example, a studied Novel can only be used in the novel section and students must write only one essay. Students are also required to answer all sections of the exam. Marks will be lost otherwise.

Written/Aural Paper 1 (2 hours) has two sections: Written Language (Irish: Scríobh na Teanga), and Comprehension (Irish: Léamhthuiscint):

Written Paper 2 ( 1 hour 30 mins ) has four sections: Prose, Poetry and Letter writing: