Last-Minute Leaving Cert Maths Advice
With the Leaving Cert just around the corner, the most common question I’ve been asked by my students is:
“What should I do now?”
Here’s what I’d recommend for the final week leading up to the exam.
1. Don’t Learn Everything
One week is too little time to be an expert in every topic.
This is why I always advise doing exam papers for practice. It’s how you find topics you’re weaker in, as well as get yourself used to exam-style situations at home.
Focus on:
• Getting the strong topics perfect.
• Maximising marks on the weaker topics.
2. Be in “Maths Mode” before the exam.
Doing practice questions beats reading notes every time.
Your brain needs to be in “maths mode,” especially after English Paper 2. Complete a few exam-style questions the night before.
Remember: active revision > passive reading.
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3. Formula Flash Cards
Write down every important formula that is not in the log tables onto one flash card.
Look over that card the morning of the exam, especially the topics you know you’re weaker in to keep the information fresh in your mind.
4. Should You Learn Theorems, Constructions & Proofs?
If you are aiming for a H1: Yes.
If you are aiming for a H6: Probably not. Your time is better spent mastering the core topics and improving the questions you are most likely to attempt successfully in the exam.
5. Start With an Easy Question
When you open the paper, don’t read the entire exam from start to finish.
Instead, start with a straightforward Section A question within the first few pages. Answer a question you know you can do. Build your confidence early to settle the nerves.
No need to panic if you see difficult questions. The exam is long. There are definitely more questions you can answer quickly than the ones that exhaust you.
6. Paper 1 Core Topics
• Algebra
• Functions
• Differentiation
• Complex numbers
These topics appear again and again each year. A major focus of your revision.
7. Paper 2 Core Topics
Paper 2 is typically more predictable than Paper 1.
Section A usually includes statistics, probability, the line, the circle, trigonometry, and geometry.
Section B often features:
• Two questions combining statistics and probability
• Two questions involving trigonometry, geometry, and area & volume
Focus on getting these core topics right:
• Statistics
• Probability
• Trigonometry
• The line
• The circle
Make sure your calculator is in the correct mode — degrees or radians — depending on the question.
8. Section B: Where Most Marks Are Lost
Marks in Section B are lost because answers become too messy and unclear.
Focus on being concise.
• Write clearly.
• Show your method.
• Keep answers simple.
The length of your answer will not impress the examiner. Be simple and correct.
Final Advice
The focus is always on realistically achieving marks on core topics that comes up in the exam each year. Now’s the time to make sure your revision is targeted around the structure of the LC exam structure.
Reminder: one good question at the start of the exam can completely change your confidence for the rest of the paper.
Best of luck to every student sitting Leaving Cert Maths.
