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Subjects · Leaving Cert Construction Studies

Leaving Cert Construction Studies: Site selection & layout

How often Site selection & layout comes up on the Construction Studies papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.

HL Asked on 4 of the last 9 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2024.

OL Asked on 1 of the last 9 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025.

June 2028 is the first exam on the new Construction Studies course. These come from the 2016–2025 papers, so read them as a guide.

Site selection & layout, Higher Level(7 marks)

Quick ones on Site selection & layout.

(a)Prevailing wind direction in Ireland?
  1. North-east
  2. South-west
  3. South-east
(b)Best position for a house on a sloping rural site?
  1. At the lowest, poorly drained point
  2. On the exposed hilltop
  3. Below the brow, on a south-facing slope
(c)A new site entrance onto a road must have adequate?
  1. Sightlines (visibility splays)
  2. Percolation test results
  3. Radon protection at the entrance gate
Show the answers

(a) South-west

(b) Below the brow, on a south-facing slope

(c) Sightlines (visibility splays)

Your turn: Higher Level questions on Site selection & layout.

Higher Level

Asked on 4 of the last 9 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2024.

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Not asked
2024Q4
2023Not asked
2022Not asked
2021Q4
2019Not asked
2018Q4
2017Not asked
2016Q4

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Site selection & layout questions

Site selection & layout, 3 marks

Why is ribbon development along rural roads discouraged?

  1. It uses too little land for each of the houses built
  2. It is too dense for broadband to reach
  3. It harms road safety, landscape and services
Show the answer

It harms road safety, landscape and services

A string of houses with separate entrances creates many conflict points on the road, urbanises the countryside and makes water, sewer and transport services costly.

Site selection & layout, 2 marks

Where can you check if a site is in a High Radon Area?

  1. The Land Registry folio
  2. The EPA radon map
  3. The OPW flood maps
Show the answer

The EPA radon map

The EPA map predicts the share of homes in each area likely to exceed the reference level. A radon barrier is expected on new houses anyway, but the map guides extra measures.

Ordinary Level

Asked on 1 of the last 9 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025.

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Q4
2024Not asked
2023Not asked
2022Not asked
2021Not asked
2019Not asked
2018Not asked
2017Not asked
2016Not asked

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Site selection & layout questions

Site selection & layout, 2 marks

Why is a site sheltered by trees or a hill on the north side a good choice?

  1. It blocks the midday sun
  2. It makes the site easier to flood
  3. It protects the house from cold winds
Show the answer

It protects the house from cold winds

Cold winds strip heat from walls and cause draughts. Shelter to the north and west cuts heat loss while leaving the south open to the sun.

Site selection & layout, 2 marks

Why avoid building a house on a flood plain?

  1. It gets no sunlight for most of the year
  2. The site may flood and damage the house
  3. The ground is too hard to dig foundations
Show the answer

The site may flood and damage the house

Flood plains beside rivers flood in heavy rain. A house there risks water damage, costly insurance and unsafe access.

Site selection & layout, 2 marks

Why is a site close to a road and mains services a good choice?

  1. Connecting water, power and access costs less
  2. The house will then need no foundations at all
  3. It will not need planning permission
Show the answer

Connecting water, power and access costs less

Bringing electricity, water and a driveway a long way is expensive. A site near a public road and services saves money and time.

Other Construction Studies topics

All of Leaving Cert Construction Studies