Leaving Cert Chemistry 2026

The 2026 Leaving Cert Chemistry exam paper and official marking scheme, free below as direct PDF links from the State Examinations Commission archive.

Higher Level

Exam PaperMarking Scheme
What's in the 2026 Higher Level paper?
  • Q1 volumetric analysis, acid-base titration, water of crystallisation, experimental · 50 marks
  • Q2 ethyne preparation, soap preparation, organic chemistry, experimental · 50 marks
  • Q3 water analysis, free chlorine, suspended and dissolved solids, experimental · 50 marks
  • Q4 short questions, general chemistry · 50 marks
  • Q5 periodic trends, ionisation energy, electronegativity, bonding · 50 marks
  • Q6 octane number, oil refining, isomers, heat of formation · 50 marks
  • Q7 chemical equilibrium, kc, le chateliers principle · 50 marks
  • Q8 organic reactions, reaction schemes, polymerisation, free radical mechanism · 50 marks
  • Q9 rates of reaction, graphing, catalysis, heterogeneous catalysis · 50 marks
  • Q10 emission spectrum, flame tests, gas laws, yield calculation · 50 marks
  • Q11 oxidation of alcohols, oxidation numbers, acids and bases, greenhouse effect · 50 marks

Ordinary Level

Exam PaperMarking Scheme
What's in the 2026 Ordinary Level paper?
  • Q1 ethene preparation, unsaturation test, hydrocarbons, structural formulae · 50 marks
  • Q2 volumetric analysis, acid-base titration, concentration calculation, indicators · 50 marks
  • Q3 rates of reaction, hydrogen peroxide, catalysts, graphing · 50 marks
  • Q4 short questions, general knowledge, atomic structure, thermochemistry · 50 marks
  • Q5 electronegativity, covalent bonding, molecular shape, ionic bonding · 50 marks
  • Q6 hydrocarbons, iupac nomenclature, combustion, structural isomers · 50 marks
  • Q7 water hardness, chloride test, acids and bases, ph · 50 marks
  • Q8 organic reactions, reaction types, aldehydes, oxidation of alcohols · 50 marks
  • Q9 chemical equilibrium, le chatelier's principle, diffusion, gas laws · 50 marks
  • Q10 redox, radioactivity, mole calculations, stoichiometry · 50 marks
  • Q11 flame tests, octane number, sewage treatment, polymers · 50 marks

Revise Chemistry by topic

Atomic Theory & the Periodic TableChemical Bonding & Molecular ShapeOxidation–Reduction & ElectrochemistryStoichiometry, the Mole, Formulas & EquationsVolumetric Analysis (Titrations)Acids, Bases & pHRates of ReactionChemical EquilibriumThermochemistry (Energetics)Organic Chemistry, Hydrocarbons & FuelsWater, Environmental & Atmospheric ChemistryIndustrial ChemistryLaboratory Skills & Techniques
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Questions come from the official State Examinations Commission papers. Every link opens the original PDF on examinations.ie.