# Leaving Cert Ag Science: Scientific Practices & Investigation questions > Every Leaving Cert Ag Science exam question on Scientific Practices & Investigation, grouped by level and year. Questions come from the official State Examinations Commission papers; every PDF link opens the original on examinations.ie. Canonical: https://examai.ie/past-papers/leaving-cert/ag-science/topic/scientific-practices-investigation How agricultural science is done: experimental design, laboratory and field methods, data handling and calculations. 74 past Ag Science questions on this topic, spanning 2015 to 2026, grouped by year. Each links to its exact page in the official paper and marking scheme. ## Higher Level ### 2026 - Q6 (10 marks): parasites, parasite control, sheep production - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2026/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=10) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2026/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=15) - Q9 (10 marks): drainage, soil texture - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2026/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=14) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2026/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=17) - Q11 (10 marks): animal housing, animal welfare, farm safety - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2026/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=16) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2026/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=18) - Q17 (50 marks): beef production, liveweight gain, traceability - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2026/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=34) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2026/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=28) - Q18 (50 marks): plant breeding, genotyping, milk quality - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2026/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=38) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2026/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=29) ### 2025 - Q5 (10 marks): weaning, animal nutrition, beef production - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2025/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=10) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2025/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=14) - Q13 (50 marks): dairy production, breeding, milk recording - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2025/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=21) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2025/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=18) - Q14 (50 marks): soil compaction, soil water, capillarity - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2025/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=25) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2025/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=19) - Q16 (50 marks): beef production, feed conversion, silage - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2025/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=32) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2025/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=22) - Q17 (50 marks): sheep production, breeding, animal housing - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2025/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=35) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2025/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=23) - Q18 (50 marks): reseeding, grassland, crop establishment - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2025/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=38) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2025/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=24) ### 2024 - Q16 (50 marks): colostrum, calf rearing - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2024/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=31) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2024/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=22) ### 2023 - Q4 (10 marks): animal breeding, beef - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2023/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=7) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2023/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=13) - Q8 (10 marks): fertilisers, nitrate leaching - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2023/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=11) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2023/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=17) ### 2022 - Q3 (10 marks): germination, crop production - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2022/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=6) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2022/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=16) - Q7 (10 marks): suckler beef, weaning efficiency - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2022/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=10) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2022/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=18) - Q16 (50 marks): clover, milk production, grazing systems - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2022/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=30) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2022/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=28) ### 2021 - Q2 (10 marks): herbicide resistance, weed control, soil capillarity - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2021/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=4) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2021/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=11) - Q15 (50 marks): organic fertiliser, grass dry matter - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2021/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=31) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2021/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=28) ### 2020 - Q1 (60 marks): crops, animal husbandry, soil - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2020/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=2) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2020/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=3) - Q4 (48 marks): plant pigments, enzymes, capillarity - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2020/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=5) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2020/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=7) - Q9 (48 marks): potatoes, soil profile, pests - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2020/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=7) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2020/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=12) ### 2019 - Q1 (60 marks): crop production, soil science, animal physiology - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2019/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=2) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2019/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=5) - Q4 (48 marks): mineral deficiency, milk analysis, silage digestibility - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2019/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=5) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2019/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=9) - Q8 (48 marks): liver fluke, plant anatomy, ruminant digestion - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2019/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=7) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2019/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=13) ### 2018 - Q2 (48 marks): soil profile, soil texture, earthworms - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2018/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=3) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2018/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=6) - Q4 (48 marks): enzymes, pasture composition - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2018/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=5) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2018/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=9) ### 2017 - Q2 (48 marks): soil, soil water, soil acidity - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2017/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=2) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2017/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=7) - Q4 (48 marks): digestibility, silage, transpiration - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2017/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=4) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2017/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=11) - Q8 (48 marks): carbon cycle, insects, pests - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2017/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=6) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2017/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=15) ### 2016 - Q1 (60 marks): soil science, animal health, crop production - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2016/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=2) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2016/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=5) - Q4 (48 marks): plant nutrition, crop yield, pasture - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2016/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=4) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2016/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=7) - Q8 (48 marks): crop pests, nitrogen fertiliser - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2016/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=6) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2016/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=10) ### 2015 - Q1 (60 marks): forestry, soil science - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2015/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=2) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2015/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=5) - Q2 (48 marks): soil science, soil chemistry, podzol - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2015/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=2) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2015/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=6) - Q4 (48 marks): grassland, microbiology - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2015/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=3) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2015/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=8) - Q8 (48 marks): nitrogen cycle, grassland management, livestock units - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2015/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=5) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2015/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=11) ## Ordinary Level ### 2026 - Q8 (10 marks): soil organisms, soil biology, soil ph - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2026/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=9) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2026/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=14) - Q12 (10 marks): soil composition, soil texture - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2026/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=14) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2026/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=16) - Q17 (50 marks): carbon emissions, fertilisers, crop establishment - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2026/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=30) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2026/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=22) - Q18 (50 marks): milk quality, milk hygiene, udder anatomy - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2026/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=33) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2026/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=23) ### 2025 - Q12 (10 marks): sheep production, lamb mortality, growth rates - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2025/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=15) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2025/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=16) - Q14 (50 marks): soil temperature, germination, tillage crops - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2025/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=21) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2025/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=18) ### 2024 - Q12 (10 marks): plant growth - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2024/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=16) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2024/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=16) - Q13 (50 marks): grassland, botanical composition - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2024/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=19) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2024/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=17) - Q16 (50 marks): soil organic matter, soil investigation - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2024/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=28) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2024/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=21) ### 2023 - Q1 (10 marks): soil science, soil ph - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2023/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=3) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2023/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=12) - Q11 (10 marks): soil organisms, earthworms - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2023/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=16) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2023/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=16) - Q16 (50 marks): milk quality, dairy production, animal nutrition - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2023/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=29) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2023/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=21) ### 2022 - Q3 (10 marks): soil ph, soil analysis - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2022/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=6) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2022/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=13) - Q8 (10 marks): microbiology, nitrogen fixation - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2022/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=11) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2022/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=16) - Q9 (10 marks): sheep production, carcase classification - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2022/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=12) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2022/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=16) - Q10 (10 marks): silage, dry matter - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2022/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=13) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2022/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=17) - Q13 (50 marks): soil texture, soil sampling, soil analysis - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2022/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=19) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2022/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=20) - Q15 (50 marks): dairy production, grassland management, lactation - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2022/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=26) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2022/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=23) - Q16 (50 marks): grassland management, hay production, weed identification - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2022/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=29) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2022/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=24) - Q18 (50 marks): grass varieties, reseeding, genetic modification - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2022/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=35) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2022/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=26) ### 2021 - Q7 (10 marks): agricultural policy, genetics - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2021/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=9) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2021/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=13) - Q14 (50 marks): dairy production, milk quality, milking hygiene - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2021/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=22) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2021/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=18) - Q17 (50 marks): germination, grass seed - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2021/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=30) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2021/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=22) ### 2020 - Q1 (20 marks): soil, soil texture - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2020/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=2) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2020/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=3) - Q3 (20 marks): true or false - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2020/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=3) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2020/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=4) ### 2019 - Q1 (20 marks): soil biology, earthworms - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2019/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=2) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2019/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=5) - Q3 (20 marks): true or false - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2019/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=4) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2019/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=5) ### 2018 - Q5 (20 marks): true or false, crops, animal science - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2018/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=5) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2018/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=6) ### 2017 - Q5 (20 marks): seed germination, plant science - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2017/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=6) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2017/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=6) - Q7 (20 marks): farm practices - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2017/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=8) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2017/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=7) - Q10 (60 marks): grassland, reseeding, weed control - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2017/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=11) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2017/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=10) ### 2016 - Q1 (20 marks): soil science, rocks, soil organisms - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2016/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=2) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2016/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=5) - Q4 (20 marks) - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2016/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=5) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2016/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=6) - Q10 (60 marks): potatoes, plant disease, crop cultivation - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2016/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=11) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2016/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=11) ### 2015 - Q2 (20 marks): parasites, pests, invertebrates - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2015/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=3) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2015/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=5) - Q5 (20 marks) - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2015/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=5) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2015/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=6) - Q8 (60 marks): grass conservation, silage, hay - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2015/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=8) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2015/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=8) ## Related - [Soils](https://examai.ie/past-papers/leaving-cert/ag-science/topic/soils) - [Crops & Plant Science](https://examai.ie/past-papers/leaving-cert/ag-science/topic/crops-plant-science) - [Grassland & Forage](https://examai.ie/past-papers/leaving-cert/ag-science/topic/grassland-forage) - [Animal Production & Husbandry](https://examai.ie/past-papers/leaving-cert/ag-science/topic/animal-production-husbandry) - [Animal Health & Disease](https://examai.ie/past-papers/leaving-cert/ag-science/topic/animal-health-disease) - [Genetics & Breeding](https://examai.ie/past-papers/leaving-cert/ag-science/topic/genetics-breeding) - [Sustainability & Environment](https://examai.ie/past-papers/leaving-cert/ag-science/topic/sustainability-environment) - [Farm Management, Machinery & Safety](https://examai.ie/past-papers/leaving-cert/ag-science/topic/farm-management-machinery-safety) - [All Ag Science past papers](https://examai.ie/past-papers/leaving-cert/ag-science)