Summary
Highlights
For Question 6A, the Lámh Chúnamh, practice past questions as there are only a limited number of topics they can ask. You can prepare for this section. For Question 6B, which deals with genre (L3, type of writing), practice how to phrase your answers in your own words, looking at patterns from previous years' questions.
For the prose section, especially for Cúpla Míle, watch the film adaptation frequently to understand visual and auditory aspects. For other prose stories, demonstrate your understanding of the question by sticking to the topic and using vocabulary from the piece, even if not directly quoting, to prove you've read it. There are only four pieces outside the film to focus on.
Know the themes and feelings of all five poems. For older poems like Spailpín Fánach, practice translating them as they will be printed on the paper. Review past questions, but note that it's unlikely the same type of question will be asked again.
If you've studied An Triail, ensure you know the characters well, including both their good and bad traits, as questions may cover either. Also, revisit dramatic techniques, as this question was popular before 2012 and hasn't featured since.
Paper 1 is entirely unseen and consists of three sections: Aiste, Scéal, and B (oral-focused). It's generally advised to avoid the B section as it's for students not aiming for higher grades. The debate and speech are guaranteed to be on the paper. The speech offers more flexibility, allowing you to discuss both advantages and disadvantages, unlike the debate where you must take a clear stance.
Prepare topics like Brexit and homelessness. An Bard (the general topic) allows you to weave in prepared essays, but be extremely careful. There must be a 'cangail isteach leanúnach' (definite continuous connection) between your chosen essay title and its content. Deviating from the point can result in losing all marks for that question.