What are the easiest Leaving Cert subjects?

3 Biology

By far the most popular of the sciences, biology is sometimes seen as an easy option. While the A rate – 17 per cent last year – is relatively high, the subject has a low honours rate of 71 per cent over three years and 22 per cent were awarded a D at higher level last year, while 9 per cent failed.

4 Business

By far the most popular of the business subjects, with 71 per cent of students managing an honour. Of the almost 12,000 students who sat the subject at higher level in 2012, 11 per cent achieved an A2 or higher, while 22 per cent passed the subject but didn’t make the C3 grade.

5 Economics

With almost 4,000 students sitting the subject at higher level last year, economics is just behind accounting in the popularity stakes. Since 2010, 73 per cent of higher level students have managed to get an A, B or C in the subject. Almost 12 per cent of students achieved an A in 2012. The failure rate in economics was six per cent, while 22 per cent of students were awarded a D.

6 Physics

While the honours rate in higher-level physics is relatively low, at 74 per cent, the A rate is enormous. Almost 20 per cent of higher-level students achieved an A2 or higher in the subject last year. Seven per cent of students failed last year, while 18 per cent passed the subject but didnt manage to get an honour.

7 French

By far the most popular foreign language, with almost 14,000 students sitting the higher-level exam last year. Three quarters of those students achieved an A, B or C grade. The three-year honours average is only marginally below that figure at 74 per cent.

Just under 14 per cent achieved an A grade in 2012 with 22 per cent of students awarded a D. Failure rates were low, with just 3 per cent of students falling short last year.

8 Chemistry

A quarter of higher-level chemistry student failed to get an honour in the past three years. With almost 7,000 students, chemistry is the second most popular science subjects. Like physics, the A rate is high. 20 per cent of students in 2012 managed an A with almost 12 per cent of the cohort achieving an A1.

The failure rate for chemistry was 9 per cent last year, while 19 per cent of students got a D.

9 Geography

A very popular choice (more than 20,000 students took the higher-level paper last year); 76 per cent of students got an honour over the past three years. Eight per cent of higher-level students were awarded an A last year.

The most awarded grade was C2 – 13 per cent got that while 23 per cent of students passed with a D grade. The failure rate is very low, at 3 per cent.

10 Home economics

Another subject often dogged by a perception that it is somehow an easy option. Statistics say otherwise, with less than 8 per cent of students getting an A in the subject at higher level.

The three-year honours average is 76 per cent and 22 per cent of students got a D grade last year. Failure rates are low, at just 3 per cent.