by Yeats College Waterford, Biology Teacher
The 2026 Leaving Certificate Biology paper was a fair and well-balanced examination that provided students with ample opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge across the syllabus.
Section A, short questions provided students a broad representation of the syllabus ensuring that students who revised comprehensively were well rewarded for their efforts. Many traditional section A topics appeared, including nutrition and ecology their presence allowed candidates to secure marks early in the examination and build confidence as they progressed through the paper. This section also incorporated more detailed questions which allowed students demonstrate a deeper understanding of biological processes.
Section B, the mandatory experiment section, presented very few surprises and was largely in line with what students and teachers would have expected. The three questions were approachable, clearly structured, and accessible to students who had prepared thoroughly.
Section C, long questions were fair and offered a wide selection of topics across the syllabus. There was ample choice for students who preferred to avoid certain chapters. Core topics such as genetics, ecology, photosynthesis, respiration and sexual reproduction featured prominently, which would have been familiar and in line with previous years.
Overall, the paper was a fair reflection of the Leaving Certificate Biology syllabus and rewarded students who prepared thoroughly. It was a balanced mix of accessible and more demanding questions, which allowed students of all abilities to demonstrate their understanding effectively.
