Junior Cycle Science

If you're willing to put in the work, Junior Cert Science is one of the easier exams to prepare for as the information you need to remember is very factual i.e. no waffling. Make sure you learn your definitions as these make up a large part of the exam. 

What's on the Junior Certificate Science course?

Biology

• Food, 
• Digestion 
• Skeletal and Muscular system, 
• The Senses 
• Human reproduction
• Animals, Plants and Micro-Organisms

Chemistry

• Classification of substances
• Air, Oxygen, Carbon Dioxide 
• Water
• Atomic structure
• Reactions and Compounds  

Physics

• Force and Energy
• Heat, Light and Sound
• Magnetism
• Electricity and Electronics

What's the Junior Certificate Science exam like?

The two hour written exam has three sections. Biology is covered in Questions 1, 2, and 3, Chemistry is covered in Questions 4, 5 and Physics is covered in Questions 7, 8 and 9.

You may also be required to complete 2 classroom bases assessments (CBAs).

CBA 1 is the Extended Experimental Investigation (EEI) that requires you to conduct an experiment and complete a report. CBA 2 is the Science in Society Investigation or SSI for which you will investigate a socio-scientific issue and create a report.

Any tips for doing well in Junior Certificate Science ?

• Make sure you go over your definitions as many questions will ask you to define a key term.
• In Physics make sure you learn off your formulas.
• The exam tends to cover most of the topics so it's not a good idea to take short cuts by leaving out topics.
• Don't forget to go over your experiments as these always make up a big part of the exam. Practicing past exam papers is especially important in Science.
• Study one topic at a time and then go through that topic on Studyclix comparing your answer with the marking scheme. 

Download the Junior Cycle Science Syllabus

Download the Junior Cert Science Chief Examiner's Report (2010)

Download the Junior Cert Science Guidelines for Teachers