Assessment Structure (Leaving Cert Classical Studies): Revision Notes
Assessment Structure
Overview of Leaving Cert Classical Studies Assessment
The Leaving Cert Classical Studies assessment is designed to test your knowledge, analytical skills, and ability to connect the ancient world with today. Understanding this structure will help you prepare effectively and approach each component with confidence.
The assessment consists of three main components that together evaluate different aspects of your learning: stimulus-based questions, extended written responses, and independent research skills. Each component targets specific competencies and uses different question formats to give you multiple opportunities to demonstrate your understanding.
The three components work together to assess different skills: Section A tests your ability to interpret sources, Section B evaluates your extended writing and critical analysis, while the Research Study develops your independent research capabilities.
Section A: Stimulus questions (200 marks)
Understanding the stimulus format
Section A presents you with a variety of stimuli - these are source materials that could include written texts, images, maps, or other visual sources related to classical studies. You'll find the images for questions 1-8 on a separate Paper X that accompanies your main exam paper, so make sure you have both documents during the examination.
Always ensure you have both your main exam paper AND Paper X during the examination. Paper X contains the visual materials you'll need for questions 1-8 in Section A.
These stimulus questions are particularly valuable because they test your ability to work with primary and secondary sources - a crucial skill in classical studies. Rather than simply recalling facts, you'll need to interpret, analyse, and draw conclusions from the materials provided.
Skills emphasis by level
The marking scheme varies depending on whether you're taking Higher or Ordinary level, reflecting different expectations:
Higher Level students will find greater emphasis placed on:
- Explaining: providing detailed reasoning for your answers
- Interpreting: understanding the deeper meaning of sources
- Evaluating: making judgements about the significance or reliability of evidence
Ordinary Level students will find greater emphasis on:
- Identifying: recognising key features in the sources
- Describing: giving clear accounts of what you observe
- Comprehending: showing basic understanding of the materials
This doesn't mean Ordinary Level students won't need to explain or Higher Level students won't need to identify - rather, it shows where the marking emphasis lies for each level.
Section B: Extended answers (200 marks)
Question structure and requirements
Section B requires you to write detailed, well-structured responses that demonstrate your depth of knowledge and critical thinking skills. You must answer Question 11 (worth 120 marks) and choose one question from Questions 12-16 (worth 80 marks).
These extended answers are your opportunity to showcase comprehensive understanding of classical studies topics. Unlike the stimulus questions, these responses require you to draw on your broader knowledge of the specification and present well-organised arguments.
Key competencies assessed
The extended writing questions evaluate three essential areas of your learning:
Application of knowledge and understanding means you'll need to take what you've learned from different parts of the course and apply it to both familiar scenarios and new situations you haven't encountered before. This tests your ability to transfer learning across contexts.
Critical thinking involves your ability to analyse information carefully, evaluate different perspectives, and construct logical arguments based on evidence. You'll need to form reasonable conclusions and support them with appropriate examples from your studies.
Understanding connections to the modern world requires you to demonstrate how the social, political, artistic, ethical, historical, and literary aspects of classical studies remain relevant today. This might involve comparing ancient and modern practices, or explaining how classical ideas influence contemporary society.
All three competencies - application of knowledge, critical thinking, and modern connections - are essential for success in Section B. Make sure your extended answers demonstrate each of these areas.
Research Study component
Purpose and submission
The Research Study is a unique component that allows you to pursue independent investigation into a topic that particularly interests you within classical studies. This assessment develops your research skills and gives you the opportunity to explore a subject in greater depth than classroom time might allow.
You'll submit your research as a written report to the State Examinations Commission during sixth year. The report follows a pro forma booklet format - this means you'll receive a standardised template that ensures all students present their work consistently.
Topic areas and selection
Each year, the State Examinations Commission provides a brief with three or four topic options covering the main areas of classical studies:
- Material culture: archaeology, art, architecture, and physical remains
- Literature: poetry, drama, prose, and literary analysis
- History: political events, social developments, and historical interpretation
- Thought and ideas: philosophy, religion, and intellectual movements
Working with your teacher, you'll select a particular issue or question within one of these areas that genuinely interests you. This consultation process ensures your chosen topic is appropriate and manageable.
Required capabilities
The research study asks you to demonstrate three key skills:
Research and process information involves finding relevant and meaningful sources that help you understand or expand on your chosen topic. This isn't just about collecting information - you need to evaluate whether sources are useful, reliable, and directly related to your investigation.
Synthesise and evaluate information means bringing different sources together to form a coherent understanding, then applying concepts from classical studies to make informed judgements. You'll need to understand how various social, political, artistic, ethical, historical, and literary aspects connect within the classical world.
Reflect on contemporary relevance requires you to consider how your research contributes to understanding the world today. This reflexion demonstrates the ongoing significance of classical studies and helps you articulate why ancient knowledge matters in the modern context.
The Research Study is your opportunity to become an independent researcher. Choose a topic that genuinely interests you, as your enthusiasm will show through in your final report.
Format of the research study report
Three-section structure
Your research study report must include three distinct sections, each serving a specific purpose in demonstrating your research capabilities:
Section A: Rationale and approach establishes the foundation of your study. Here you'll explain why you chose your particular subject, what specific research questions you intend to answer, and how you plan to approach the research process. You'll also outline the sources and references you intend to use, showing that you've thought carefully about where to find reliable information.
Section B: Extended essay presents your findings in a logically argued and coherently expressed series of paragraphs. This is the main body of your research where you develop your ideas systematically, support your arguments with evidence, and demonstrate your understanding of the topic. The essay format allows you to show sophisticated thinking and clear communication skills.
Section C: Review and reflexion provides an opportunity to evaluate your research process critically. You'll discuss which aspects of your research were successful and which were less effective, analyse the strengths and weaknesses of your source materials, and reflect on your findings, highlighting particular aspects that merit attention or further comment.
This three-part structure ensures you not only conduct research and present findings, but also develop the metacognitive skills of reflecting on your own learning process. Each section is equally important for demonstrating your research capabilities.
Key Points to Remember:
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The assessment has three main components: Section A (stimulus questions), Section B (extended answers), and the Research Study - each testing different skills and knowledge areas.
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Skills emphasis varies by level: Higher Level emphasises explaining, interpreting, and evaluating, whilst Ordinary Level focuses more on identifying, describing, and comprehending.
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Extended answers require comprehensive responses: You must answer Question 11 (120 marks) plus one from Questions 12-16 (80 marks), demonstrating critical thinking and connections to modern relevance.
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Research Study develops independent learning: Choose from four topic areas (material culture, literature, history, thought and ideas) and present your investigation in a three-section report format.
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Contemporary connections are crucial: Throughout all components, you'll need to demonstrate how classical studies relates to and helps us understand the world today.