How the marks are given.
Plain guides to how Leaving Cert English and History are marked, with every number from its source.
History · Higher Level · one essay
100 marks, in two parts
Most of the marks are earned one paragraph at a time, which is why a paragraph that tells the story without answering the question costs so much.
| Excellent | 11–12 |
| Very good | 8–10 |
| Good | 5–7 |
| Fair | 3–4 |
Five excellent paragraphs reach the 60.
From the SEC’s published History marking indicators.
The guides
- English
How English is marked
PCLM explained: how Leaving Cert English answers are marked on purpose, coherence, language and mechanics, with the marks for each Paper 2 question.
4 min→ - History
How History essays are marked
How Leaving Cert History essays are marked: the cumulative mark and overall evaluation at Higher Level, and core statements at Ordinary Level.
4 min→ - History
The documents-based question
The Leaving Cert History documents-based question explained: comprehension, comparison, criticism and contextualisation, with the marks for each part at both levels.
4 min→ - History
The Research Study Report
The Leaving Cert History Research Study Report explained: the four sections and their marks, word counts at both levels, and how to spend your effort.
4 min→ - Both subjects
Command words
What Leaving Cert command words mean for your answer: discuss, explain, evaluate, to what extent, compare, contrast and describe, in plain English.
3 min→
Where the numbers come from.
From the State Examinations Commission’s papers and marking documents. Where a figure comes from teachers’ guides and not the SEC, the guide says so, and links to it.
Then mark your own answer.
Write one tonight and see which sentences earn. Free for students.