# Leaving Cert Ag Science: Soils questions > Every Leaving Cert Ag Science exam question on Soils, 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/soils Soil formation, texture and structure, pH and nutrients, soil water, and the organisms that live in soil. 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 - Q1 (10 marks): farm machinery, environmental sustainability - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2026/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=3) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2026/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=12) - Q7 (10 marks): sustainability - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2026/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=12) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2026/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=16) - Q9 (10 marks): scientific investigation - [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) - Q13 (50 marks): nutrient management - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2026/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=21) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2026/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=21) - Q16 (50 marks): silage, grass growth stages, multi-species swards - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2026/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=31) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2026/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=26) ### 2025 - Q7 (10 marks): catch crops, carbon sequestration - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2025/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=12) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2025/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=15) - Q8 (10 marks): nitrogen cycle, crop production - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2025/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=13) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2025/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=16) - Q9 (10 marks): tillage crops - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2025/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=14) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2025/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=16) - Q14 (50 marks): scientific investigation - [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) ### 2024 - Q4 (10 marks) - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2024/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=8) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2024/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=14) - Q9 (10 marks) - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2024/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=14) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2024/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=16) - Q10 (10 marks): multi-species swards, biodiversity - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2024/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=15) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2024/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=17) - Q13 (50 marks): botanical composition, biodiversity - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2024/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=21) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2024/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=18) - Q17 (50 marks): abiotic factors - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2024/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=34) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2024/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=23) ### 2023 - Q3 (10 marks): animal nutrition, deficiency - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2023/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=6) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2023/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=13) - Q5 (10 marks): sustainability - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2023/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=8) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2023/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=14) - Q13 (50 marks): agricultural technology - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2023/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=20) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2023/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=20) - Q15 (50 marks): crop production - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2023/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=27) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2023/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=23) ### 2022 - Q1 (10 marks): slurry - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2022/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=3) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2022/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=12) - Q11 (10 marks): plant nutrition, active transport, nutrient deficiency - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2022/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=15) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2022/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=22) - Q17 (50 marks): plant breeding, gene editing - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2022/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=33) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2022/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=30) ### 2021 - Q2 (10 marks): herbicide resistance, weed control, experimental design - [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) - Q6 (10 marks): respiration, carbon cycle - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2021/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=10) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2021/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=15) - Q17 (50 marks) - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2021/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=40) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2021/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=33) ### 2020 - Q1 (60 marks): short questions, crops, animal husbandry - [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) - Q2 (48 marks) - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2020/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=3) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2020/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=4) - Q4 (48 marks): experiments, plant pigments, enzymes - [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): scientific explanations, potatoes, 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, animal physiology, short questions - [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) - Q2 (48 marks) - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2019/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=3) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2019/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=6) - Q6 (48 marks): clover, grassland management, organic manures - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2019/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=6) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2019/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=11) ### 2018 - Q2 (48 marks): experiments - [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) ### 2017 - Q1 (60 marks): grassland, plant science, animal physiology - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2017/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=2) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2017/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=5) - Q2 (48 marks): experiments - [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) - Q9 (48 marks): pig production, forestry, poultry - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2017/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=6) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2017/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=16) ### 2016 - Q1 (60 marks): short answer, 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) - Q2 (48 marks) - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2016/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=3) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2016/LC024ALP000EV.pdf#page=6) ### 2015 - Q1 (60 marks): forestry, classification, general 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): experiments - [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) ## Ordinary Level ### 2026 - Q8 (10 marks): laboratory investigation - [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): calculations, laboratory investigation - [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) - Q15 (50 marks): slurry management - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2026/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=24) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2026/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=19) ### 2025 - Q5 (10 marks): germination, crop production - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2025/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=7) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2025/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=13) - Q13 (50 marks) - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2025/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=18) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2025/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=17) - Q14 (50 marks): germination, scientific investigation, 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) - Q17 (50 marks): plant nutrients, livestock systems - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2025/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=31) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2025/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=22) ### 2024 - Q3 (10 marks) - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2024/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=6) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2024/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=13) - Q7 (10 marks) - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2024/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=10) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2024/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=14) - Q16 (50 marks): calculations - [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): laboratory investigation - [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): laboratory investigation - [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) - Q15 (50 marks) - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2023/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=26) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2023/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=20) ### 2022 - Q3 (10 marks): laboratory investigation - [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) - Q12 (10 marks) - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2022/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=16) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2022/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=19) - Q13 (50 marks): experimental error - [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) ### 2021 - Q4 (10 marks): land use - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2021/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=7) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2021/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=12) - Q5 (10 marks) - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2021/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=8) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2021/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=12) - Q16 (50 marks): organic farming - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2021/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=27) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2021/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=20) ### 2020 - Q1 (20 marks): practical - [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) - Q7 (20 marks): farm practices, animal health - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2020/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=6) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2020/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=6) - Q9 (60 marks): fertilisers, farm waste, slurry - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2020/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=8) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2020/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=9) - Q13 (60 marks): cereal production, sheep production, animal nutrition - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2020/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=12) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2020/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=15) ### 2019 - Q1 (20 marks): practical investigations - [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) - Q11 (60 marks) - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2019/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=11) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2019/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=11) ### 2018 - Q1 (20 marks) - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2018/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=2) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2018/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=5) - Q7 (20 marks): farm practices, grassland management, animal health - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2018/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=7) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2018/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=7) - Q8 (60 marks): fertilisers, slurry, water pollution - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2018/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=8) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2018/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=8) ### 2017 - Q1 (20 marks) - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2017/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=3) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2017/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=5) - Q11 (60 marks) - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2017/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=11) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2017/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=11) ### 2016 - Q1 (20 marks): experiments - [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) - Q3 (20 marks): farm practices, crop rotation, dairy cattle - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2016/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=4) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2016/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=5) - Q11 (60 marks): nitrogen cycle, fertilisers - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2016/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=11) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2016/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=12) ### 2015 - Q7 (20 marks): farm practices, sheep production, forestry - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2015/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=7) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2015/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=7) - Q10 (60 marks) - [Paper](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/exampapers/2015/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=9) · [Marking scheme](https://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2015/LC024GLP000EV.pdf#page=10) ## Related - [Scientific Practices & Investigation](https://examai.ie/past-papers/leaving-cert/ag-science/topic/scientific-practices-investigation) - [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)