Leaving Cert English 2026: What You Need to Know
The 2026 Leaving Cert English exam follows the same structure as recent years. Paper 1 covers comprehension and composition (including the personal essay, short story, and speech). Paper 2 covers the Single Text, poetry, and Comparative Study. Both papers are sat at Higher and Ordinary Level.
All written answers are marked using the PCLM framework: Purpose, Coherence, Language, and Mechanics. If you are not familiar with how PCLM works, read our PCLM guide before you start revising. Understanding the marking scheme is the single most useful thing you can do for your grade.
Paper 1: Comprehension and Composition
Paper 1 is sat on the first day of the English exam. You will answer one comprehension question and write one composition. The composition section gives you a choice of formats: personal essay, short story, speech, article, or discursive essay. Most students at Higher Level choose the personal essay or short story.
- ✓Full notes for every poet and text
- ✓Essay structures and templates
- ✓Interactive vocabulary quizzes
- ✓Essay grading and feedback from a teacher
- ✓Exam-focused webinars
- ✓Ask any question, get an answer
Our guides cover each composition type with examples and examiner-focused advice:
Paper 2: Literature
Paper 2 is where your study of specific texts pays off. You will answer on your Single Text, your prescribed poet, and your Comparative Study texts. The key to Paper 2 is preparation: know your texts well enough that you can adapt to whatever question appears.
Prescribed Poetry 2026
The prescribed poets for the 2026 Leaving Cert include Sylvia Plath, Patrick Kavanagh, Seamus Heaney, Emily Dickinson, Eavan Boland, and W.B. Yeats (among others depending on your level). Visit our Poetry section for full notes on each poet and their prescribed poems.
Single Text Options 2026
Popular Single Text choices include:
- Macbeth by William Shakespeare
- King Lear by William Shakespeare
- Othello by William Shakespeare
- Sive by John B. Keane
Comparative Study
The Comparative Study question asks you to compare two or three texts across modes: Cultural Context, Literary Genre, or Theme/Issue. Visit our Comparative Study section for guidance on structuring your comparative answer.
Study Strategy for 2026
The exam is in June. If you are reading this in early 2026, you still have time to build a strong revision plan. Focus on three things: know your texts inside out, practise writing timed essays, and understand the PCLM marking criteria. Everything on this site is designed to help with those three goals.
For structured revision with model answers, exam-style questions, and video walkthroughs, check out The H1 Club. You can try it free for 48 hours, no card required.