Irish (Junior Cert)
Irish is a subject of the Junior Cycle examination in Secondary schools in Ireland. There are three levels: Higher, Ordinary and Foundation.
Syllabus
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.Prior to 2021, students could take the optional Oral exam 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. In 2021, the optional oral examination was replaced with mandatory classroom-based assessments as part of reforms to the junior certificate.
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.
Higher level
The Higher level examination has one written paper, which last 2 hours in total and is worth 225 marks, and an aural comprehension 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.
Questions
Written/Aural Paper 1 has two sections: Written Language, and Comprehension :| Question | Type | Mark | Recommended time to spend |
| Part 1 | Aural Comprehension | 45 marks | 15 minutes |
| Part 2 | Comprehensions | 40 marks | 40 minutes |
| Part 3 | Contextual Language Tests | 20 marks | 15 minutes |
| Part 4 | Composition | 50 marks | 50 minutes |
Written Paper 2 has four sections: Prose, Poetry and Letter writing:
| Question | Type | Mark | Recommended time to spend |
| Part 1, Question 1 | Unseen Prose | 15 marks | 15 minutes |
| Part 1, Question 2 | Studied Prose | 15 marks | 15 minutes |
| Part 2, Question 3 | Unseen Poetry | 15 marks | 15 minutes |
| Part 2, Question 4 | Studied Poetry | 15 marks | 15 minutes |
| Part 3 | Letter Writing | 30 marks | 25 minutes |
Ordinary level
The Ordinary level examination has three parts, a written examination, which lasts 1 hour 30 minutes and is worth 220 marks, and an aural comprehension examination, which lasts 30 minutes, with a maximum of 100 marks available and an oral examination lasting about 10 minutesQuestions
This paper has two sections, Section 1, which is the comprehension section, and Section 2, the written language section. Each carries 110 marks.Section One: Comprehension
| Question | Type | Mark | Recommended time to spend |
| Question 1 | Pictures and Signs | 30 marks | 5 minutes |
| Question 2 | Notices/Poem | 15 marks each | 10 minutes |
| Question 3 | Extracts | 30 marks each | 20 minutes |
Section Two: Written Language
| Question | Type | Mark | Recommended time to spend |
| Question 1 | Write Postcard | 20 marks | 10 minutes |
| Question 2 | Write a blag | 20 marks | 15 minutes |
| Question 3 | Short article,Diary entry | 40 marks | 25 minutes |