Pure mathematics is, in its way, the poetry of logical ideas.
Albert Einstein
While widely considered the toughest subject that students will face throughout their Leaving Cert education, maths is a subject that can really propel a student's points. This is particularly true for those taking on the task of sitting the higher level paper, seeing as there’s a tasty 25 bonus points up for grabs if it ranks among your top six subjects. Of course, there is a good reason for this grade incentive being put in place, and that’s because Maths has one of the most extensive courses, making it the most time-consuming subject to sit for the Leaving Cert exams. You’ll have to complete two separate papers as part of the Leaving Cert assessment, each lasting 2.5 hours and carrying 300 marks. Maths isn't just another checkbox on your academic list - it's a vital requirement to enter many third-level courses, from business and finance to engineering and medicine. In this article, we’re going to break down each paper so that you can prepare optimally and get the grade you’ve worked so hard for.
Key Takeaways
- Know the topics assessed on each paper.
- Learn the format and grade allocation to manage your time in the exam hall.
- Use past exam papers.
- Focus on the topics that are more commonly assessed.
- Familiarise yourself with the calculator you intend to use
The Topics Covered in Leaving Cert Maths
Leaving Cert Maths past papers will give you an idea of the topics covered, but the subject syllabus can change, so make sure you look at the latest version of it to give you an idea of what to expect. As always, if you have any doubts, ask your teacher, as they'll have read it and planned their course and every lesson around it. The Leaving Cert Maths syllabus is divided into five strands or topics, which students will cover across two years of study.
In 2023, approximately 10.9% of students achieved an H1 grade (90-100%)
Strand 1: Statistics and Probability
In Statistics and Probability, you'll learn about finding, collecting, and organising data as well as how to represent said data graphically and numerically so you can analyse and interpret it.
Strand 2: Geometry and Trigonometry
Geometry focuses on transformations, enlargements, parallelograms, and similar triangles. Trigonometry covers the sin, cos, and tan rules.
Strand 3: Number
The Number strand will teach you about adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing large and complex number systems.
Strand 4: Algebra
For Algebra, you'll cover quadratic formulae, including algebraic fractions, manipulating formulae, solving simultaneous equations and solving quadratic equations.
In 2023, approximately 4.1% of students achieved an O1 grade (90-100%).
Strand 5: Functions
The Functions strand includes injective, surjective, and bijective functions. Make sure you're familiar with every Leaving Cert Maths topic to give yourself the best possible chance of getting good marks in the exams.
Preparing for Maths Paper 1
The thing about succeeding in the Leaving Cert Maths exam is that you need to perform well across the board. You can’t put all your eggs in one basket and focus on just one paper. Instead, you’ll need to ready yourself for both papers one and two. So, let’s kick things off by getting into the ins and outs of Paper One. The first thing you’ll want to note is that Paper 1 assesses strands 3, 4, and 5 of the Leaving Cert Maths syllabus. Both students and teachers often refer to it as the 'Algebra Paper', but it covers way more than just algebra. In addition to the extensive amount of algebra covered, it also tests students on complex numbers, sequences and series, indices and logs, financial maths, length, area and volume, algebra, functions, and calculus.
In terms of the format, the paper is split into two main sections.
The first of which is Section A, which will test you on concepts and skills through a series of six short questions worth 25 marks each.
Then, the final boss of this paper is going to be Section B, which comes in the form of three longer questions worth about 50 marks each, connecting maths to real-life problems.
One key point of information that you’ll want to jot down wherever you keep your maths notes is that each section carries 150 marks, adding up to 300 marks total. This will give you an idea of how much time you should spend working through each question, allowing you to tailor your exam strategy and ensure you don’t run out of time on the day!
In recent years, around 60% of students sit the Higher Level paper in Maths, a significant rise from past decades, thanks in part to the 25 bonus CAO points for achieving an H6 or higher.
This is something that will become more familiar to you as you refine your exam strategy over time by completing plenty of past exam papers. Past exam papers are going to be your best friend, not only in studying for paper one but also for both papers of the Leaving Cert maths exam. It’s also extremely helpful if you have a marking scheme by your side and correct your own work, as this will give you a sense of what an examiner is looking for when they’ve got your answer booklet in their hands.
Preparing for Paper 2 Topics
So, on to Paper 2 of the assessment, the final stretch of your Leaving Cert Maths journey. In order for you to walk out of the exam hall with your head held high, knowing that you’ve secured the grade you’ve been working towards, you’ll want to ensure that you’ve got your preparation nailed down. This paper is a different beast, as you’ll be assessed through more visual and statistical concepts.
Whether you love these topics or hate them, Trigonometry, Probability, Statistics, Line, Circle, Geometry & Enlargements are all going to feature on this paper, so you’re going to have to get comfortable with them one way or another. In particular, you’ll want to refine your skills when it comes to probability and statistics, since these make up half of the long questions. Then, the other half features trigonometric graphs, which students tend to find a little more enjoyable. However, as a whole, the paper is often thought to be the more challenging of the two.
The structure is identical to Paper One in that you’ll have the remaining 300 marks split evenly into two sections.
Section A (Concepts and Skills) has six questions worth 150 marks total.
Section B (Contexts and Applications) tests students with longer, practical questions, also worth 150 marks.
If you’re wondering how you can get started, you'll want to begin your preparation by focusing on developing your confidence with trigonometry, probability, and statistics. Once you feel like you can answer exam-style questions on these topics, you can focus on practising simple skills in geometry and coordinate geometry and begin working your way up to the more complex ones that have featured on recent past papers.
Leaving Cert Maths Study Tips
Now, in order to ensure that your revision is targeted effectively and that you are on the right path with your preparation for both papers 1 and 2, you’ll definitely want to hear some of our revision tips. Thanks to the internet and an endless supply of online resources, it's never been easier to find past papers, mock exams, and practice activities for Leaving Cert Maths. The adage "By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail" may feel like a cliché, but it's true for your exams, especially your Leaving Cert. The students who get the best results are those who've studied and know what's on the exam. However, when it comes to failing Leaving Cert Maths, there are quite a few misconceptions.
Use Past Papers
It can be easy to fall into the trap of patting yourself on the back for every question you get right, but it's far more important that you take the time to go over the questions you get wrong and the topics that you struggle with. The first time you tackle a certain kind of question, it can help you go through the problem step-by-step, using your notes if you need to. The second or third time you attempt the problem, remove the aids and do it under exam conditions. The more you use past papers, the more you'll understand how much time certain problems take and how you should manage your time during the exam.
Focus on the Most Important Topics
You can put in more hours of preparation than any other student sitting the Leaving Cert Maths exam, but that doesn't guarantee you a good grade in the assessment. Those who perform best in the exam work not just hard but smart. In order to do this, you’ll want to prioritise your revision time according to the topics that appear most in the actual exam. You might think that every problem on a maths paper is important, but if you think mathematically about the exam itself, some topics are worth more than others.
In 2020 and 2021, calculated grades led to record-high results in Maths across all levels. Post-Covid adjustments are slowly returning grades to pre-pandemic distributions.
Topics that occur more frequently and make up a larger part of the exam are the ones you should focus on. This isn't to say that you should avoid the others, but since you have to allocate your study time effectively, use every minute wisely. Certain mathematical subdisciplines like algebra, calculus, geometry, and probability tend to occur regularly, but the best way to know exactly what you'll be tested on is through past papers and looking at the Leaving Cert Maths syllabus, which you can easily find online.
Get the Most Out of Your Calculator
Calculators are permitted for State Examinations like Leaving Cert Maths, but not every calculator model is allowed. Before you start diving into all the functions of your calculator in an attempt to get the most out of it, make sure that you check that your calculator is permitted.
Again, official Leaving Cert and government documentation lists permitted calculator models, which include popular brands like Sharp, Casio, and Texas Instruments. These calculators come with instruction manuals, of course, but it's up to you to work out which of their functions apply to the different questions you'll be asked on the Leaving Cert Maths exam and how you use your calculator to solve them. If in doubt, you can always ask your maths teacher. When it comes to Leaving Cert Maths study advice, there's a lot you can do.
Exam Papers and Online Resources for Leaving Cert Maths
Students learn best with the right resources, and since every student is different, you must look for suitable and engaging resources to help you study. While some resources say they make maths fun, we wouldn't go that far. However, there are some informative, engaging, and useful resources for Leaving Cert Maths students such as notes, past papers, videos, and worksheets.
Notes for Leaving Cert Maths
Notes are a useful way to study, whether they're written by you or by somebody else. While you should always take notes and use them since the act of note-taking will help you remember topics better, here are some useful sites for Leaving Cert Maths notes.
Access to grinds, online resources, and structured school support significantly improves student confidence and exam performance—especially in Higher Level Maths.
Finding Leaving Cert Maths Past Papers
We can't stress enough how useful past papers are for preparing for any exam, including the Leaving Cert Maths exams. Here are just two sites where you can find past and example papers.
- The Leaving Cert: The best way to find past papers is by going to the source. The Leaving Cert site also has news, video tutorials, and tips for other Leaving Cert subjects.
- State Examinations Commission: Another primary source, the State Examination Commission is another good place to look for past maths papers since this is who created them.
Other Online Resources for Leaving Cert Maths
To adequately prepare for your Leaving Cert Maths exam, you have to find engaging resources. Other places to find good resources include YouTube, where you can find videos on almost everything. There are plenty of great channels covering the maths concepts that make up the Leaving Cert Maths strands, as well as channels specifically on the Leaving Cert.
Tips for Your Leaving Cert Maths Exam
Even if you've carefully studied every part of the syllabus and are well-versed in each of the strands of the Leaving Cert Maths, there are a few other things you can do to get the best possible marks during your exams. These are just some useful Leaving Cert Maths tips to help you.
- Familiarise yourself with every topic on the syllabus and ensure you know what you need to know.
- Regularly practise and study.
- Use past papers, mock exams, and example activities to get used to the exam format.
- Participate as much as you can during class. Being active aids memory.
- Take notes both during class and while studying.
- Take notes during classroom discussions.
- Ask your teacher for help if you have any doubts.
- Get more help from private maths tutors.
- Complement your studying with engaging and quality online resources.
- Study with classmates or join a study group.
- Create or join a study group with like-minded learners,
- Study in quiet places free of distractions.
In short, to do well in any exam takes preparation. You need to know both the subject material and the exam format. Once you master both and get in some regular practice, you'll make getting good marks much easier. While you can't bring in any material with you inside the exam hall, you will be able to use this guide as a checklist as you go about your preparation for the upcoming exams, ensuring that you're in a good position to succeed. Good luck with your Leaving Cert Maths exams!
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