Aug 14 / The Tuition Centre

Leaving Cert Biology Reform

Big changes are coming to Leaving Certificate Biology — and they will affect course content, assessment, and teaching approaches. If you have a student sitting the Leaving Cert Biology exam in 2027, here’s a breakdown of what’s changing and what it means in practice.

Changes to the Course Content
  • Around 25–30% of the course will be brand-new material.
  • Some current topics will be removed entirely.
  • Most topics will remain, but the content will be reduced in depth.
  • The aim is to make space for skills-based learning while keeping most of the traditional biology foundations.
The New “Biology in Practice” Investigation - The AAC

  • This is the headline change in how marks are awarded.
  • 40% of the final Biology grade will come from the Biology in Practice Investigation - the Additional Assessment Component
  • The same structure will apply to Physics and Chemistry.
  • The AAC is common level.
  • The written exam will still be taken at Higher Level and Ordinary Level.
How it Works
September : Students receive a sample brief for practice.
January 2026: Students receive the “live brief” — the one that counts for marks.

From the brief, students research a scientific issue using secondary sources and design and carry out their own experiment to gather primary data.
The process involves:
  1. Researching the topic and gathering background information.
  2. Generating a hypothesis.
  3. Planning and designing the experiment.
  4. Carrying out the experiment and collecting data.
  5. Analysing results and forming conclusions.
  6. Writing an evidence-based report to submit to the SEC.

    Time Commitment
  • The investigation is designed to take approximately 20 hours of student time in total.
  • This is spread over six distinct stages — from research to final write-up.
  • The 20 hours can be spread over many weeks.
  • Schools will have significant flexibility in timetabling the investigation work.
  • The exact submission date for the final report will be confirmed when the live brief is released.

    What does this mean for Parents and Students?
  • Students will need to develop strong research skills alongside their theoretical knowledge.
  • Time management will be important — the investigation runs alongside regular coursework.
  • Parents can support by encouraging independent learning and ensuring students keep up with each stage.