The Leaving Certificate Programme

The Leaving Certificate is a two-year programme that aims to provide learners with a broad, balanced education while also offering them a chance to specialise towards a particular career option.  Students following the programme are required to study at least five subjects, one of which must be Irish. In general, students take five or more subjects (usually seven) for examination. Subjects are normally studied at either ordinary or higher Level.

Leaving Certificate Examination

The examination incorporates written tests in all subjects. In addition, there are oral and aural tests in the subjects Irish, French, and German.  There are practical examinations in the subjects Engineering, Construction Studies, Art, and Music. There is practical course work in the subjects Engineering; Construction Studies; Agricultural Science; LCVP; History; and Geography. The new examination in Home Economics includes an element of assessed course work and also a textile option.

Equal points

All subjects count equally for points.  This means that an ‘A’ in Art is the same as an ‘A’ in Physics or Engineering, or any other subject.  One might be more useful for a particular course but they are the same for points.  Some colleges give bonus points for honours Mathematics.

Leaving Certificate Subject Choice

Students take at least five subjects, one of which must be Irish, for the Leaving Certificate.  Typically, students study seven subjects at higher or ordinary level. Achievement in the Leaving Certificate examination is the basis upon which places in third level institutions are allocated through the CAO (Central Applications Office) system.

 

In Tullow Community School, all students study the core subjects of Irish, English and Mathematics.  They have a choice of one subject from each of the four pools of subjects listed below.  The pools may vary depending on demand.

 

For further information, the following links may be useful –