Written by Alannah Aherne
The 2025 Agricultural Science Higher Level exam included a balance of questions on both traditional syllabus content as well as modern agricultural developments.
Section A – Short Questions
The content in this section was broad and topical, drawing from topics such as animal breeds, plant lifecycles, disease control, and agri-environmental technologies. Some modern inclusions were questions on Waygu beef crossbreeding, soil microbiomes, and sustainability initiatives like ammonia-reducing slurry systems.
Overall, Section A was accessible, rewarding preparation and familiarity with current developments in Irish agriculture.
Section B- Long questions
This section tested students’ ability to analyse data, perform calculations, interpret information, and apply knowledge in practical farming contexts. Topics ranged from dairy herd breeding strategies and sheep lifecycle management to crop genetics and soil structure. Many questions included real-world scenarios which would have required a critical thinking approach to answering, such as milk recording for pregnancy testing or assessing AI-generated silage-making advice.
Overall, Section B offered students the opportunity to demonstrate problem-solving skills across a variety of agricultural systems.
The 2025 exam blended science, sustainability, technology and real-world application, making it relevant to agriculture today.
