Once you start the Leaving Certificate cycle, it can seem like it’s all anyone wants to talk about. Almost everyone - from the teachers to your parents, to the cashiers at the local shop - wants to know if you’re studying, when you’re studying, and how you’re studying. This can be even more overwhelming if you have no idea how to prepare for English. 

If you are currently preparing to sit your English examination in the near future then you will know all too well how scarce sleep is when you are juggling a minimum of six subjects.

It’s important that you work both hard and smart when revising for your looming exams! There are a number of effective revision tactics and strategies that you can employ in your own test preparation, saving you plenty of time while allowing you to revise more efficiently and effectively.

My aim in this article is to provide you with a number of actionable steps that you can incorporate into your preparations so that you can set yourself up for that H1 grade in the assessment.

We have a collection of helpful English leaving cert guides over on Superprof, so keep an eye on these articles for the links that take you to them!

Not sure exactly what you need to prepare for? Check our list of topics covered in the English test to get a better idea!

A girl studying and taking notes.
From poetry and prose to drama and non-fiction, a comprehensive understanding of these varied literary forms is essential for exam success. Photo by Pixabay via Pexels
The best English tutors available
Matty
5
5 (34 reviews)
Matty
€40
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson free!
Dr khobaib (highly experienced teacher)
5
5 (17 reviews)
Dr khobaib (highly experienced teacher)
€34
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson free!
Ross
5
5 (17 reviews)
Ross
€33
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson free!
Matthew
5
5 (9 reviews)
Matthew
€80
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson free!
Diana
5
5 (10 reviews)
Diana
€40
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson free!
Poonam
5
5 (5 reviews)
Poonam
€25
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson free!
Delfina
5
5 (18 reviews)
Delfina
€40
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson free!
Jodie
5
5 (18 reviews)
Jodie
€20
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson free!
Matty
5
5 (34 reviews)
Matty
€40
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson free!
Dr khobaib (highly experienced teacher)
5
5 (17 reviews)
Dr khobaib (highly experienced teacher)
€34
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson free!
Ross
5
5 (17 reviews)
Ross
€33
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson free!
Matthew
5
5 (9 reviews)
Matthew
€80
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson free!
Diana
5
5 (10 reviews)
Diana
€40
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson free!
Poonam
5
5 (5 reviews)
Poonam
€25
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson free!
Delfina
5
5 (18 reviews)
Delfina
€40
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson free!
Jodie
5
5 (18 reviews)
Jodie
€20
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson free!
Let's go

How to Make a Study Plan for Leaving Cert English

Crafting a development plan for any test is vital for attaining success while also helping to provide some clarity and structure to your efforts. This will also go a long way in helping to keep those stress levels down as the assessment approaches. 

By forming a well-rounded development plan that affords you adequate oppertunity to manage the extensive examinable material that comes with the Leaving Cert English subject here in Ireland, you will be able to work through the course in incremental steps. 

It will also give you reassurance in knowing that you have covered the material in its entirety before the test rolls around. There’s nothing worse than panicking the night before because you feel that you have missed something in your revision.

When outlining your strategy you should include the tasks you intend to tackle in detail and present them in a list format. I also recommend that you incorporate a system for marking off any of the tasks that you successfully complete, as it can boost motivation and provide a sense of achievement.

If you aren’t already retreating to a study space over your weekends, then you might want to look at starting heading to the local library or any peaceful environment for some focused work when you don’t have school commitments.

Mapping out your study for Leaving Cert English

We all have that one subject or topic that we avoid like the plague, so try to compensate for this in your revision plan by beginning with subjects or topics you find least appealing. 

You will find it a lot easier to apply yourself while your energy levels are high and concentration is keen. It’s also nice to get it out of the way and get on with the subjects that you find more interesting.

As your assessment starts approaching, you may want to amend your revision plan to prioritise your subjects and arrange them based on their significance or how immediate the repcticve test date is. 

Given the volume of material you need to cover in English and also across your other subjects, you should also ensure that you allocate plenty of oppetunites for breaks. Getting some exercise, socialising with friends and eating and sleeping properly is also pivotal in any successful test strategy.

Consider adopting the 25-minute study approach, in which you revise for 25 minutes followed by a break. This method can help sustain concentration levels and prevent exhaustion.

One thing that really worked for me in my own preparations, was adopting SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and time-bound). This method breaks down goals into manageable tasks that can be achieved within a given timeframe. 

The best English tutors available
Matty
5
5 (34 reviews)
Matty
€40
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson free!
Dr khobaib (highly experienced teacher)
5
5 (17 reviews)
Dr khobaib (highly experienced teacher)
€34
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson free!
Ross
5
5 (17 reviews)
Ross
€33
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson free!
Matthew
5
5 (9 reviews)
Matthew
€80
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson free!
Diana
5
5 (10 reviews)
Diana
€40
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson free!
Poonam
5
5 (5 reviews)
Poonam
€25
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson free!
Delfina
5
5 (18 reviews)
Delfina
€40
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson free!
Jodie
5
5 (18 reviews)
Jodie
€20
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson free!
Matty
5
5 (34 reviews)
Matty
€40
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson free!
Dr khobaib (highly experienced teacher)
5
5 (17 reviews)
Dr khobaib (highly experienced teacher)
€34
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson free!
Ross
5
5 (17 reviews)
Ross
€33
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson free!
Matthew
5
5 (9 reviews)
Matthew
€80
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson free!
Diana
5
5 (10 reviews)
Diana
€40
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson free!
Poonam
5
5 (5 reviews)
Poonam
€25
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson free!
Delfina
5
5 (18 reviews)
Delfina
€40
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson free!
Jodie
5
5 (18 reviews)
Jodie
€20
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson free!
Let's go

How to Find Out What Kind of Learner You Are

To excel in the English exam it's crucial to understand how you practice best. Everyone absorbs information in their way so recognising your preferred learning method can greatly boost your revision efforts. 

For the English assessment, you’re going to need to analyse literary and visual texts, excel in both analytical and creative writing, feel comfortable with the exam's format and structure, and make use of a variety of revision materials.

Don’t worry if you don’t know what kind of learner you are just yet; once you know you find out, you’ll be far more effective with your time.

In order to discover your learning process you could try an assessment like the VARK questionnaire. This test will show whether you lean towards being a reading/writing or kinesthetic learner, giving you valuable insights into effective study methods that suit you.

Visual

Visual learners retain visual information better than other types. Things like colour codes, maps, and pictures are much easier to recall than text, or type. 

Kinaesthetic

Kinaesthetic learners prepare better when they’re physically active. Things like flashcards that you can move, role-playing, or carrying out the task can help kinaesthetic learners retain information. 

Aural

Aural learners remember information after hearing it. These types of learners will revise better if they’re listening to audiobooks, podcasts, or recorded lectures. 

Social

Social learners revise most effectively when there’s participation or a social aspect. These learners will recall more information from things like revision groups or revision activities. 

Solitary

Solitary learners revise better when they prepare alone. Making notes and self-recitals help them retain information. 

Verbal

Verbal learners can remember information better through both written and spoken words. Tools that have learning rhymes, and acronyms will be useful for these types of learners. 

Logical

Logical learners respond well to structures, statistics, and numbers. Following information to a logical conclusion can help these types of learners recall the information. 

In reality, most people are a combination of two or more types of learners. For example, social learners can also be aural learners, and solitary learners may also be visual and logical learners. If you think about what revision tricks work for you, you can create a plan that works with your learning preferences. 

Once you know your preferred way of learning, you can adjust your test preparation techniques accordingly. Different types of learners can benefit from revision methods such as using flashcards, practising with papers, creating mind maps or watching educational videos. 

It's important to explore approaches to studying in order to determine what suits your learning style when preparing for the English assessment. Would you want to see some more resources? We have compiled an extensive English leaving cert revision notes list that you can take from!

A book lying open on a desk with eyeglasses.
By familiarizing yourself with these rich themes and ideas, you'll not only be prepared for the Leaving Cert English Exam but also gain a deeper appreciation for the power of literature. Photo by ugurlu photographer via Pexels

How to approach preparing for Leaving Cert English Paper One

You may have already heard your English teacher refer to paper one of the test as the language paper, due to it having questions on comprehension and composition. 

In order to familiarise yourself with the layout of the paper, take a look at and practise past assessment papers. This ensures that your preparation is exam-focused and ensures that you are not caught off guard by any curve balls on the day.

One bast practice approach that I can leave you with with is to always start with the composition question. It’s worth 100 marks, which makes it the highest-value question across both papers. 

You don’t want to find yourself running out of time in the exam hall because you left the biggest question until the last.

There are seven options for the composition, so be sure to practice them all an avoid being disappointed with the available options that appear on the day.

You also want to be sure that you know what length the composition is expected to be. The number of pages that you hand up in your test will depend on the size of your writing, but generally, it is advised that your composition piece is somewhere between 4 to 6 pages in length. 

When it comes to preparing for the comprehension piece the best way to practice is well… by practicing comprehension. You should make sure to read each question twice so that you are sure what exactly is being asked of you.

Practising the comprehension questions from each year in your English past papers will give you an idea of what sort of questions are asked, and the level of depth that is required in your answers.

The marking scheme will tell you what sort of answer merits the highest mark and the number of marks that are awarded for the question will indicate the level of depth that you will want to go into in your answer.

There is more than one way to revise too. Take a look at some of these ways of studying for the English leaving cert on our useful guide, and familiarize yourself with different techniques!

Preparing to Tackle English Paper Two

Since the second part of the Engish test is entirely different in the material and skills it examines, you’ll have to adopt a different approach in your preparations.

The first question that you see when you open your test booklet is the single text question which is based on the characters, themes or literary techniques in your studied text.

Practising all three will give you a complete understanding of your text while ensuring that you are able to answer anything that might come up on the day.

You should try to structure your answers with an introduction, three or four well-defined paragraphs, and a conclusion. Reread the question a few times, and pick out the keywords, as these will dictate your answer. 

The comparative questions give you an option between one 70-mark question, or a 40-mark question and a 30-mark question.

The order in which you go about answering the test is entirely up to you, but I would advise going through the sections according to the number of marks that are rewarded for the question. It’s better to run out the clock answering a 30-mark question than when answering one that is worth 70 marks.

The poetry section of the assessment is worth 70 marks. These questions are more based on your personal opinion, but you have to be able to back up your opinions. You’ll have to be familiar with the different poetic techniques and the personal life of the respective poet.

Many students also may want to answer the studied questions first in order to get all of the information that they have retained down on your answer booklet before working through the unseen pieces in the remaining minutes. So practice those past papers and see what works for you!

Student researching topics on computer.
By utilizing online resources and delving deeper into the curriculum, students can approach the Leaving Cert English Exam with confidence. Photo by fauxels via Pexels

Optimise your Revision for Leaving Cert English with Superprof

There is a lot to juggle in the English curriculum. Trying to strike a balance between studying the different, practising your creative writing skills, and honing in on test strategies all at once can leave you feeling more behind than you were when you started.

You just have to remind yourself that countless students across the island of Ireland navigate this journey each year. In addition, there are countless English tutors who help these students accomplish their respective goals in the subject.

By working alongside an experienced tutor who knows the course inside and out, you can avoid unnecessary trial and error and maximise your potential in the assessment.

A lot of the assessment involves remembering quotes. You’ll want to be able to quote, and quote accurately and relevantly from all of the literature you’ve studied during your education.

By working with an English tutor from Supeprof, you'll be able to refine effective techniques that will help you retain this vital information and jump up a few grade brackets in your answers. They will have experience in coaching students such as yourself through the assessment, holding you accountable to your development plan and drilling in those crucial test strategies. 

If the tutor option is a route you would be interested in exploring, feel free to check out the options we have available over on Superprof, where we offer a number of English teachers near you at an affordable price!

Enjoyed this article? Leave a rating!

5.00 (1 rating(s))
Loading...

conor

I enjoy delving into the world of music, exploring different genres, catching live shows, and finding the perfect soundtrack for every mood. When not immersed in melodies, I love experimenting with diverse cuisines, cooking up new dishes, and sharing tasty experiences with friends and family.