Junior Cycle · The Junior Cert
Junior Cycle Science
What has come up on the Science papers (2019–2026), topic by topic, with step-by-step practice at Common Level.
Three quick ones from the Science topics that come up most.
- Bar chart
- Line graph
- Tally chart
- The Sun moving around the Earth
- Earth orbiting the Sun
- Earth spinning on its axis
- Solid
- Gas
- Liquid
Show the answers
(a) Line graph
(b) Earth spinning on its axis
(c) Solid
Common Level
200 flash cards and 120 step-by-step drill questions at Common Level.
What comes up
How many of the last 6 Science Common Level papers asked each topic.
| Topic | Asked | Last seen | How often |
|---|---|---|---|
| Analysing data & graphs banker | 6 of 6 | 2026 | |
| Earth-Sun-Moon system banker | 6 of 6 | 2026 | |
| The universe & solar system banker | 6 of 6 | 2026 | |
| States of matter & changes banker | 6 of 6 | 2026 | |
| Human body systems most years | 5 of 6 | 2026 | |
| Scientific investigations most years | 5 of 6 | 2025 | |
| Ecology & habitats most years | 5 of 6 | 2026 | |
| Atoms & the Periodic Table most years | 5 of 6 | 2026 | |
| Electricity & circuits most years | 5 of 6 | 2025 | |
| Forces & Hooke's law most years | 5 of 6 | 2026 | |
| Measurement & density most years | 5 of 6 | 2026 | |
| Properties of materials most years | 5 of 6 | 2026 | |
| Energy conversions & efficiency most years | 5 of 6 | 2026 | |
| Speed & acceleration most years | 5 of 6 | 2026 |
More topics: Acids & bases, Cells & microscopes, Exothermic & endothermic, Genetics & evolution, Climate change, Human health & micro-organisms, Science in society, Human reproduction, Rates of reaction & gases, Space exploration, Water & carbon cycles, Biodiversity & conservation, Energy sources & sustainability, Mixtures & separation, Photosynthesis & respiration, Materials & recycling.
Try three
Analysing data & graphs, 3 marks
15 out of 60 students in a class have blue eyes. What percentage is this?
- 15%
- 40%
- 25%
Show the answer
25%
Percentage = part ÷ total × 100 = 15 ÷ 60 × 100 = 25%. Always divide by the total, not by the part.
States of matter & changes, 3 marks
2.4 g of magnesium burns to form 4.0 g of magnesium oxide. What mass of oxygen joined it?
- 4.0 g
- 1.6 g
- 6.4 g
Show the answer
1.6 g
Mass is conserved: magnesium + oxygen = magnesium oxide, so oxygen = 4.0 - 2.4 = 1.6 g. The product is heavier because oxygen from the air joined the metal.
Earth-Sun-Moon system, 3 marks
A lunar eclipse can only happen at which phase of the Moon?
- Full moon
- New moon
- First quarter
Show the answer
Full moon
In a lunar eclipse Earth is between the Sun and Moon, so the Moon must be on the far side of Earth from the Sun: full moon. Solar eclipses happen at new moon.