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How to Improve your LC Grades for 2026
I have had the pleasure of interviewing students who got maximum points in the LC for the Leaving Cert Guidance Podcast and for some Instagram lives. Here is what I have learned from them about their study habits, styles and timetabling.
January is a powerful reset moment for Leaving Cert students. Mocks are approaching. The real exams are closer than they feel.
And the truth is the work you do between January and June matters more than any other time of the cycle.
Students who achieve 550+ points don’t study more than everyone else. They study differently. In fact, one thing I learned from students who got top marks was that they always took off a full day to recharge and reset the brain.
This guide outlines the exact habits, strategies, and mindset that consistently separate high-point students from the rest and how you can apply them from today.
One of the biggest mistakes Leaving Cert students make is focusing too much on textbooks and not enough on how marks are actually awarded.
High-point students:
If it doesn’t help you answer a Leaving Cert question, it’s secondary.
New Year action step:
Pick one subject today. Open a past paper. That’s where real study begins.
Rereading notes feels productive but it’s one of the least effective study methods.
Students who perform at the highest level use:
Golden rule:
If you can’t recall it without looking you don’t know it well enough yet.
Many students delay exam questions until after the mocks.
High achievers don’t.
They:
By the time June arrives, answering exam questions feels familiar, not frightening.
New Year mindset shift:
Mocks aren’t the end of learning, they’re feedback.
Not all subjects should get equal attention.
Students targeting 550+ points:
A small grade improvement can make a massive difference:
Examiners reward:
They penalise:
Tip:I f a marking scheme uses a phrase, use that phrase.
Consistency beats cramming every time.
High-point students:
A realistic, repeatable routine from January onwards is one of the strongest predictors of success.
Doing work is only half the job.
Top students:
A powerful question to ask a teacher:
“What would move this answer from 70% to 90%?”
Students who succeed at the highest level understand this:
You don’t need perfect days. You need enough good ones.
Final Thought: Big Points Are Built, Not Wished For
There is no secret trick.
But there is a formula:
January is not about pressure, it’s about direction.
If you start now, June becomes manageable.
Need Help Clarifying Your Goals?
If you’re unsure what courses you’re working towards, or want clarity on your strengths, the FindMyCollegeCourse.ie Interest Tests can help you:
Because studying is easier when you know why you’re doing it.
