Sample Exam Papers

Official State Examinations Commission (SEC) sample papers for the new Leaving Certificate Biology specification, Higher Level. Use them alongside the topic notes to practise under exam conditions.

Paper structure at a glance

Duration

2h 30m

Total marks

300

Questions

Q1 + any 5

There are seven questions on the paper, each worth 50 marks. Question 1 is compulsory and samples the whole specification in short parts; you then choose five of the remaining six long questions.

Sample Paper 1

Higher Level · 2027.M44S1 · SEC

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Sample Paper 2

Higher Level · 2027.M44S2 · SEC

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Topics tested in Sample Paper 1

·Digestive system (liver & pancreas)
·Synapse & neurotransmission
·Osmosis in plant tissue
·Insulin, glucagon & blood glucose
·The nephron & ultrafiltration
·Fungi (Rhizopus)
·Enzymes & yeast fermentation
·Gas exchange in the alveolus
·Genetics & linked genes
·Food chains & pyramid of biomass
·Female reproductive system & menstrual cycle
·Blood groups & antenatal screening
·The human microbiome
·Helicobacter pylori & peptic ulcers

Topics tested in Sample Paper 2

·Mitosis & the cell cycle
·Vaccines & clinical trial design
·Fluid mosaic model of the membrane
·Plant tissues (xylem, phloem, sclerenchyma)
·Prions & non-cellular pathogens
·Biodiversity & Simpson's diversity index
·Symbiotic relationships & pollination
·Genome databases & genetic disease
·Bacterial growth curve & bioreactors
·Structure of the human heart
·Blood pressure & the cardiac cycle
·The carbon cycle
·Biomolecules & the digestive system
·Enzyme action

How to use these papers

Skim Question 1 first to identify which topics you feel weakest on.
Revise those topics using the notes, flashcards and diagrams on this site.
Time yourself: allow ~25 minutes for Q1 and ~25 minutes for each long question.
Use the grade calculator to estimate your mark once you have the marking scheme.

Open grade calculator Browse revision topics