Leaving Cert English Higher Level Timing

This is a regular question for our Instagram Leaving Cert Q&A, so here’s the low down, a consensus from people who recently got the H1.

Total time: 170 minutes (200 marks)

Reading
15-20 minutes (read the questions first, then the texts)

A
i
10 min (15 marks) Aim for 0.75 – 1 page
ii
10 min (15 marks) Aim for 0.75 – 1 page
iii
15 min (20 marks) Aim for 1.25 pages

B
30 min (50 marks) Aim for 2 pages

Composing
65 min (100 marks) Aim for 4.5-5 pages

Proofreading
15 minutes

Total time: 200 minutes (200 marks)

Reading the questions
5 minutes

Single text
50 min (60 marks) Aim for 4-5 pages

Comparative
60 min (70 marks) Aim for 4.5-5 pages

Unseen poetry
20 min (20 marks) Aim for 1 page

Prescribed poetry
45 min (50 marks) Aim for 4-5 pages

Proofreading
15 minutes