Leaving Cert English 2026

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

Higher Level

Paper 1Paper 2Marking Scheme
What's in the 2026 Higher Level paper?

Paper 1

  • Q1 comprehending, text 1, question a, manchester · 50 marks
  • Q2 comprehending, text 1, question b, article · 50 marks
  • Q3 comprehending, text 2, question a, elif shafak · 50 marks
  • Q4 comprehending, text 2, question b, letter · 50 marks
  • Q5 comprehending, text 3, question a, art · 50 marks
  • Q6 comprehending, text 3, question b, proposal writing · 50 marks
  • Q7 composing, short story, negative influence, community · 100 marks
  • Q8 composing, personal essay, creativity · 100 marks
  • Q9 composing, opinion piece, music, music industry · 100 marks
  • Q10 composing, discursive essay, legacy, the past · 100 marks
  • Q11 composing, speech, social media influencers · 100 marks
  • Q12 composing, short story, influence · 100 marks
  • Q13 composing, personal essay, enriching experience · 100 marks

Paper 2

  • Q1 single text, literary analysis, essay, shakespearean drama · 60 marks
  • Q2 comparative study, cultural context, general vision and viewpoint, literary genre · 70 marks
  • Q3 unseen poem, poetry, alvy carragher · 20 marks
  • Q4 prescribed poetry, poetry, essay · 50 marks

Ordinary Level

Paper 1Paper 2Marking Scheme
What's in the 2026 Ordinary Level paper?

Paper 1

  • Q1 reading comprehension, language analysis, personal writing · 50 marks
  • Q2 functional writing, speech writing · 50 marks
  • Q3 reading comprehension, language analysis, personal writing · 50 marks
  • Q4 functional writing, persuasive writing · 50 marks
  • Q5 reading comprehension, visual literacy · 50 marks
  • Q6 functional writing, dialogue writing · 50 marks
  • Q7 composing, personal essay · 100 marks
  • Q8 composing, short story · 100 marks
  • Q9 composing, speech writing · 100 marks
  • Q10 composing, opinion piece · 100 marks
  • Q11 composing, short story · 100 marks
  • Q12 composing, article writing · 100 marks
  • Q13 composing, personal essay · 100 marks

Paper 2

  • Q1 single text, prose fiction, drama · 60 marks
  • Q2 comparative study, social setting, relationships, hero heroine villain · 70 marks
  • Q3 unseen poetry, poetry analysis, tone · 20 marks
  • Q4 prescribed poetry, poetry analysis, imagery, tone · 50 marks

Revise English by topic

ComprehendingComposingThe Single TextThe Comparative StudyPrescribed PoetryUnseen PoetryLiterary Analysis & Craft
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Questions come from the official State Examinations Commission papers. Every link opens the original PDF on examinations.ie.