Junior Cycle History

One of the best ways you can prepare is to study a chapter, practice questions on Studyclix for that chapter and then check your answers against the marking scheme. 

What's on the Junior Cycle History course?

• A Historian's Work
• Archaeology - Contribution to Historical Enquiry
• Archives & Museums
• 1960's : Rest of the World
• An Ancient or Medieval Civilisation
• Contribution of Technological Development & Innovation
• Genocide - Including Causes, Course and Consequences of the Holocaust
• Impact of Conquest & Colonisation
• Life in a Fascist Country in the 20th Century
• Medieval Times - Life & Death
• Movement/Organisation in Promoting International Co-operation
• Patterns of Change
• Pre 20th Century Revolutions - Causes, Courses & Consequences
• Reformation - Historical Importance of Religion
• Renaissance - Changes in the Fields of Arts and Science
• The Cold War & Its importance in International Relations
• World War I & II - Causes, Courses and Long-Term Impact on the Rest of the World
• 1960's - Ireland
• Christianity in Ireland
• Impact of Sporting, Cultural, or Social Movement on Irish Life
• Nationalism & Unionism in Ireland (1911 - 1923)
• Pre 20th Century Revolutions - Irish Rebellions
• Settlement & Plantations - Influence on Identity in Ireland
• The Great Famine - Causes, Courses and Consequences 
• The Parliamentary Tradition
• The Troubles in Northern Ireland
• Women in 20th Century Ireland
• World War I & II - Causes, Courses and Long-Term Impact on the Irish People

What's the Junior Cycle History exam like?

Junior Cycle History consists of 2 Classroom Based Assessments (CBA's): CBA1 The Past in my Place and CBA2 A Life in Time. 

After completing the CBA's you will do an Assessment Task based on the work you have completed.

There is also a 2 hour Final Examination at common level which takes place at the end of third year.  

Any tips for doing well in Junior Cycle History ?

Make sure not to leave out parts of the course as the short questions usually cover almost all topics. Students often wonder how much they should write in their answers. It's a good idea to be guided by the mark allocations written on the exam paper. A good rule of thumb is to divide the number of marks by two and this represents the number of points you should make in your answer i.e. a 10 mark question should have 5 points in it. 

Download the Junior Certificate History Syllabus

Download the Junior Certifacte History Chief Examiner's Report (2008) 

Download the Junior Certificate History Guidelines for Teachers