Leaving Certificate
Essay Grading Software

AI marking for Leaving Cert teachers. Grade a full class of essays in 10 minutes, with H1–H8 feedback aligned to SEC marking schemes. Higher Level and Ordinary Level both supported.

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🇮🇪 SEC Aligned 📋 H1–H8 · O1–O8 🎓 Higher & Ordinary Level 🔗 Moodle Integration

Leaving Cert English Marking — The Four Criteria

The SEC English marking scheme assesses students across four criteria. GradingPen grades each one separately — giving students clear, criterion-specific feedback on exactly where they're losing marks.

P
Purpose & Register

Does the writing achieve its intended purpose and maintain the appropriate register throughout?

C
Coherence & Shape

Is the essay well structured, with clear development of ideas from introduction to conclusion?

L
Language & Style

Is the language engaging, varied, and appropriate? Is personal voice present?

M
Mechanics

Accuracy of spelling, grammar, and punctuation throughout the piece.

Supported Leaving Cert Subjects

Subject Essay Types Supported Level
EnglishPersonal essay, comparative essay, comprehension question, discursive essayHL & OL
HistoryDocument question, long essay, short questions with written answersHL & OL
GeographyHuman geography essay, physical geography essay, regional analysisHL & OL
Religious EducationExtended written responses on world religions and ethicsHL & OL
Politics & SocietyResearch report, extended discursive essaysHL only
Any SubjectCustom rubric for any extended written assessmentHL & OL

Why Irish Teachers Love GradingPen

📅

Mock Season Made Easy

Mock exams mean 60+ essays to correct in a week. GradingPen turns that into 20 minutes — with consistent, detailed, actionable feedback for every student.

📈

Regular Progress Tracking

Grade practice essays monthly throughout 5th and 6th Year. Track each student's grade band progress toward their Leaving Cert target.

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H1 Feedback Students Understand

Instead of just a grade, students get a clear explanation of what separates their essay from H1 standard — specific, actionable, and motivating.

🔗

Works with Your LMS

Moodle and Google Classroom integrations mean no double-handling. Import student essays, grade them, push feedback back — all in one workflow.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does GradingPen grade Leaving Cert English essays?
You create a rubric based on the SEC English marking scheme — covering criteria like P (Purpose), C (Coherence), L (Language), and M (Mechanics) — and GradingPen scores each essay criterion by criterion, assigning a grade band from H1 to H8 and explaining every mark.
Does it support both Higher Level and Ordinary Level marking?
Yes. Create separate rubrics for HL and OL with different performance descriptors. The AI applies the correct standard for each student's level.
Can I use it for mock exams and practice essays throughout the year?
Yes — this is one of the most popular use cases. Grade every practice essay in minutes so students get regular, consistent feedback on where they sit relative to H1 standard throughout 5th and 6th Year.
Does it work for subjects other than English?
Yes. History, Geography, Religious Education, Politics & Society, and any subject with extended written answers can be graded using a custom rubric you build to match the SEC marking scheme for that subject.
How do I import student essays?
Upload PDFs, Word documents, or plain text. Connect Moodle or Google Classroom to pull student submissions directly. You can also paste text for individual essays.
Is there a free trial?
Yes — 10 free essay grades, no credit card required. Try it with a real class essay this week.

Start Marking Leaving Cert Essays in Minutes

Free to start. Works with Moodle and Google Classroom.

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Also see: All Ireland Features · UK Teachers · GCSE Marking