Being strategic with your selection of Leaving Cert subjects can make life an awful lot easier for you over the course of your secondary school education. In fact, selecting the subjects that you intend to sit for your exams at the end of the two-year course is one of the most significant decisions you’ll be tasked with making. This is because, whether you realise it or not, the subjects that you take, along with the grade you score in them, will influence the sort of options you have at your disposal when it's all said and done.
What Makes a Leaving Cert Subject Difficult?
Each course assesses a unique set of material, but aside from maths, they all carry the same weight in grades. In this article, we will cover the hardest Leaving Cert subjects and explore factors that contribute to a subject's difficulty level so that you can maximise your potential in the exams!
By the time you finish reading this guide, you will have a better handle on which subjects require a little more focus and how to prepare to achieve effectively under the current grading system.
So before we start throwing a bunch of subjects your way, we must be all on the same page about what makes a Leaving Cert subject difficult. The first thing that might spring to mind is the amount and complexity of the course material, along with the format and expectations of the exam that comes at the end of the two years. While each subject, except maths, offers the same number of points per grade, the volume of examinable material varies somewhat between subjects. So there are inherently some subjects that require you to have an understanding of less material before you are capable of sitting the associated exam paper.
Then, there’s the nature of the subject content, with some subjects heavily relying on the ability to grasp ideas rather than on learning facts or details within the course. Students typically score higher in subjects that rely on memorisation rather than on being able to express understanding at a deeper level.
| Subject (Higher Level) | H1 rate (2025) |
|---|---|
| Maths | 11.0% |
| Physics | 18.8% |
| Chemistry | 17.8% |
| History | 12.9% |
| Geography | 8.3% |
Even how exams are structured and formatted can affect how difficult a subject is perceived to be. Examinations that involve written components, such as history or English exams requiring essays, can be demanding for students who struggle to manage their time effectively.
You will also find that some subjects offer more choice in how you navigate or answer the paper, which can also reduce the amount of content that you need to cover in advance of sitting down to answer the paper.
It's also crucial to keep in mind that the perceived difficulty of a subject is often subjective and can differ among students depending on their strengths, interests and preferred ways of learning.
This is why it's essential that you take your time in the decision-making process and consider which subjects you are strong in and have a genuine interest in, as these factors will influence your attitude towards learning over the two years.
Let’s take a look at some of the subjects that are notoriously difficult for Leaving Certificate students to secure high marks in. These are the ones where it's more common to get disappointing results, though you can always appeal your results if it looks like a mistake has been made.
Higher Maths
It should come as no surprise to you that higher level maths is the first subject that we are looking at. The difficulty of the subject quickly becomes apparent when you look around any classroom in the country and compare it to ordinary level.
by 2024.
The first thing you’ll notice is that far fewer students are taking the subject, which is a strong indication of its complexity. There is even a grade incentive to address this, where students who pass the paper earn 25 additional CAO points. So while it is considered to be the most challenging subject, even scraping an honours grade is almost equivalent to an H1 in any other subject!
of students taking higher-level mathematics achieved the 25-point bonus.
Dealing with ideas such as calculus, intricate algebra, and complex numbers requires a grasp of the concepts and strong problem-solving skills. Having to grasp these challenging topics while keeping up with the pace of a Leaving Cert maths class is difficult, as every year teachers have to race through the material to cover it in time for the exams.
Higher Level Maths has long been regarded as the ultimate test of problem-solving ability in the Leaving Cert. Its syllabus demands abstract thinking, and students are expected to interpret mathematical relationships, rather than remember formulas. The paper covers topics like calculus, algebra, probability, and complex numbers, each of which links to the others in unpredictable ways.
This is why minor misunderstandings early in the course can snowball by exam time. If you’re struggling, revisiting the basics regularly can make a huge difference; even high achievers use this approach to keep core methods fresh.
Physics
Next up, we have physics, which, if you ask any student who has sat the paper in the past, they’ll likely testify to how challenging it is. Physics requires students to draw on skills that few other subjects do, mainly the ability to combine and apply learning from multiple topics to answer a single question.
This requires an in-depth understanding of the associated material, and for students to actually ask themselves what exactly they are achieving in their calculations, something they mightn’t be interested in in the other subjects they take.
This also means that if there is a particular topic that you struggle with, it’s even more challenging to get around having to apply it in exam situations. However, there is some leniency that comes in the form of the options that are presented throughout the paper that allow you to steer toward the topics you are most comfortable with. Find out exactly when is Leaving Cert results day, and put your mind at ease over the summer months!
Physics pushes students to think beyond rote learning and apply logic from multiple topics at once. Unlike memory-heavy subjects, physics questions often combine theory, maths, and real-world application. For example, a single problem might require understanding both Newton’s laws and wave motion while interpreting a graph or diagram.
This integrated approach is what makes physics such an excellent preparation for engineering, architecture, and medical technology degrees, even if it feels intimidating at first.
Chemistry
Chemistry is often considered to be the most challenging subject in the Leaving Cert. This is because it is unlike any other subject outside of the brief introductory that students will have gotten from their Junior Cert education. The course has extensive material that students will be required to memorise to answer the paper in its entirety successfully.
which was down from 23.4% in the previous year.
To answer exam-style questions, students will also need to understand the concepts at a deeper level, so learning sentences won’t cut it if you’re gunning for high marks. To excel in chemistry, it's essential to understand the material you cover in class and be able to apply it to problems that often come up in the subsequent exam; sometimes, these are two different skills that require focus to be fully prepared.
Chemistry can catch students off guard because it demands both memorisation and conceptual understanding. You can’t simply memorise definitions; you need to apply them in unfamiliar ways. Understanding why a reaction occurs is just as important as recalling what happens.
A practical study strategy is to connect theory with lab work: link chemical equations to real experiments you’ve done. Students who visualise reactions rather than treat them as abstract formulas tend to perform better when faced with unpredictable exam questions.
History
As we mentioned earlier, you might want to consider the exam format before you choose the subject you will take. History is an excellent example of why that might be necessary. The subject is notorious for the amount of writing students are required to submit in their answer booklets.
This is one of the main reasons students struggle with the subject, as even those with a good knowledge of the course material can find it challenging to write enough pages for their answers and to manage their time effectively.
The research study report (RSR) that you will be required to complete as part of the assessment is worth a substantial 20% of the overall grade and adds a layer of difficulty. Students must conduct in-depth research, evaluate sources critically, and produce an extended essay, testing many skills that may be new to them from the course.
Geography
Geography is another subject that overwhelms many Leaving Cert students every year. Two years is often not enough time to master the complex curriculum if not studied efficiently.
Just as in history, there is also a great deal of essay writing in the Leaving Cert papers, which can leave students in a pot of bother when they try to complete the paper within the allotted time. This is why geography has one of the lowest attainment rates for H1 grades in the Leaving Cert.
achieved H1 in the 2025 Leaving Certificate.
In terms of actionable steps that you can try to employ in your preparation, platforms like LCGeography.ie aim to simplify and condense the course, offering exam-focused content centred on past exam questions.
If you have a genuine interest in the subject, there is no reason why you can’t achieve a high grade in the subject once you put in hard work. But the chances of securing that H1 are significantly lower than some of the other Leaving Cert subjects.
Subjects like History and Geography test not only what you know but also how well you communicate it under pressure. Strong answers depend on structure: introductions, key arguments, and concise conclusions. One effective way to practise is to time your essays to fit the exam limits.
Students often underestimate how quickly time disappears when writing. A good rule of thumb: aim to finish each long question with five minutes to spare for proofreading. Those minutes can be the difference between a grade boundary.
Deciding on your Leaving Cert Subjects
Tackling the hardest Leaving Cert subjects can be a daunting task, but with the right approach and mindset, you can overcome these challenges and achieve your goals.
Throughout our exploration, we have delved into the challenges of tackling the various subjects in the Leaving Cert. By understanding the reasons behind their complexity, from the syllabus to the exam questions and the need for a solid conceptual understanding, you can help become one of those students who go beyond passing the exams!
were increased via the "post-marking adjustment" process.
Choosing the easiest subjects for your Leaving Cert might seem like a good idea, but depending on what you intend to pursue, it can actually limit your options when applying for college courses.
Really consider the impact of taking subjects that are known for being tough, like higher-level physics, biology, and honours maths. These subjects require a lot of time and dedication, and just because you got good marks in school doesn’t mean they’ll be easy in the Leaving Cert.
Students often overlook subjects like business, geography, art, and French, which can be easier to get high marks in. By choosing these subjects, you can actually improve your overall points, giving you more options when it’s time to apply for college courses.
You want to maximise your CAO points, and having a mix of easier subjects can help you achieve that while also allowing you to avoid the possibility of failing the Leaving Cert.
Finding the Right Balance of Leaving Cert Subjects
It’s crucial to balance your interests with your strengths. If you really like science or economics, pick them, but be mindful of the difficulty level. Some students choose Irish or English because they find them easier and can score higher. This strategy can give you more options when the date to submit your college applications arrives.
Avoiding the most complex subjects can also reduce stress and give you time to excel in other areas. You’ll have more time to focus on secondary activities, like joining clubs or doing extra-curricular activities, which can also be beneficial for your college applications.
In the end, it’s all about pushing yourself to achieve higher than the average Leaving Cert points to help keep your options open. Don’t just follow what other people or news posts suggest. Consider what you really want, and make an informed decision for your sixth year that will benefit you the most in the future.
So if you do decide to take any of these subjects for the Leaving Cert exams, stack the odds in your favour by incorporating several different learning techniques, such as reading out loud, self-testing, and teaching the material to others. Breaking down the workload for each subject into manageable chunks will also help you realistically prioritise your time.
Balancing passion and practicality is one of the most valuable skills you’ll gain during the Leaving Cert. While it’s tempting to avoid complex subjects, remember that challenge often builds confidence and prepares you for university-level study. Think of your subject mix as a portfolio: a blend of strengths, interests, and calculated risks.
If you enjoy a subject, you’re far more likely to invest the time it deserves. Combine that enthusiasm with a structured study plan, and you’ll not only perform better in exams but also develop discipline that serves you well beyond secondary school.
While it can be difficult, especially after a long day of school, try to allocate more study time to the subjects you find most challenging. Prepare using past exam papers so that you can avoid having to use time management as an excuse for not reaching your potential in any subject.
So, if after your reading you think you'd be best sticking to the easiest Leaving Cert subjects, that might be an effective strategy. Still, you can also prepare accordingly for the most challenging subjects and ensure that you are an outlier, achieving that H1 grade!
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