by Shauna Mujic & Mary Kelly
The 2026 Leaving Certificate Business Higher Level exam was a fair, accessible and well-balanced paper that provided students with ample opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the syllabus. The examination featured a broad spread of topics across all units, rewarded students who had prepared comprehensively, and contained a strong mix of theory, application and calculations. Overall, the paper was approachable and reflected the emphasis on applying business concepts to real-world situations.
Short Questions:
The short questions section offered students a wide variety of syllabus areas including business ownership, meetings, privatisation, the European Union, interest groups, location factors, insurance, growth strategies, management theory and break-even analysis. The calculation question was straightforward and familiar to students, while the mixture of definitions, explanations, true/false questions and matching exercises ensured accessibility. With candidates required to answer 8 out of 12 questions, there was considerable choice and flexibility, allowing students to play to their strengths.
Applied Business Question (ABQ):
The ABQ centred on Coffee & Chill Ltd and focused on employee rewards, pricing strategies, management control techniques and sales promotion. The case study was relatable and nice for students to engage with, while the questions allowed candidates to apply business theory directly to the information provided. Pricing strategies featured prominently, offering opportunities for well-prepared students to achieve high marks. The management control and sales promotion elements encouraged evaluation and recommendation skills, while the employee rewards section drew on a core and frequently examined area of the syllabus. Overall, it was a fair and accessible ABQ that rewarded students who were comfortable applying theory to practical business situations.
Long Questions:
Students answered four out of eight long questions covering a diverse range of syllabus topics. Questions 1 and 4 focused on People in Business, examining contracts, consumer law, employment legislation and industrial relations. Question 2 provided a very accessible option on the domestic environment, including environmentally responsible business practices, economic variables and indigenous firms. Question 3 addressed international trade, the WTO, exports, ICT and Ireland’s membership of the European Union. Enterprise and management featured strongly in Questions 5 and 6 through communication, leadership styles, human resource management, taxation and change management. Question 7 combined product life cycle theory with ratio analysis and interpretation, providing an excellent option for students comfortable with calculations. Question 8 covered branding, channels of distribution and business expansion, all familiar and well-practised syllabus areas. The paper rewarded strong application skills, understanding of key business concepts and the ability to evaluate and justify answers. Overall, it was a balanced and student-friendly examination that provided opportunities for success across all ability levels.
