External Evaluation of the European Baccalaureate (Annexes)

1.9.1 Doc 1.3
Comparison of outcomes EB –LC
Leaving Certificate and European Baccalaureate
A comparison of the attainments of candidates in these two examinations is extremely difficult for the
following reasons:
• In LC the oral examination carries 25 % of the marks and I have no information on the oral
performance of the candidates whose scripts I received in either examination.
• In LC the listening test is worth 20%. There is no listening test in EB.
• I received no top category LC scripts (A grade i.e. 85% +)
• Only an overall mark was provided for the EB scripts. There was no breakdown of the marks awarded
for individual questions.
• The written papers are so different in nature that comparison of results is not really possible. The EB
examination is almost exclusively literary in nature. It requires analysis and comment on both unseen
and set texts at a very high level. This does not form part of the LC examination.
• The EB examinations last a total of 7 hours. The LC written paper is only 2.5 hours.
In light of the above comments I can make only very general observations on the outcomes of the two
examination systems.
EB candidates, even some of the weaker ones, seem to have a much higher level of fluency, a richer
vocabulary and more idiomatic French than their LC counterparts. Their ability to set forward an argument
and to comment on literary texts is also much more advanced.
It must be remembered that LC candidates are examined in seven or eight subjects and therefore the
same depth and specialisation in each subject is not required of them, as is required of candidates in other
systems, and who proceed to their final examination with fewer subjects.
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