Time is of the essence for economics students

LEAVING Certificate economics students felt yesterday morning’s higher level paper was quite long and they could have done with more time.

Michael Corley of the ASTI said many students he spoke to could have used an extra half-hour but said they were generally pleased with the questions, which included many topical issues. For example, a question on the hot topic of SSIAs appeared and students were asked to name two advantages and two disadvantages of the accounts. Elsewhere, candidates were asked a question on decentralisation and relocation of Government departments and rising inflation.

Mr Corley said the ordinary level paper was quite straightforward and, as in recent years, a lot of information was included in the questions to try to get students to develop the points. Among the topical issues to arise on the paper was the privatisation of Aer Lingus.

Junior Certificate technology students had their exam yesterday afternoon and ASTI spokesperson Seamus Walshe said students were quite happy with the higher level paper. It was a fair exam with demanding short questions in section A but well-received questions on electronics and logic gates in section B.

Mr Walshe said the ordinary level paper covered a broad range of topics and featured nothing that should have posed major difficulties for students.

The listening, composing and general study components of Junior Certificate music were examined yesterday morning. Maria Morgan of the TUI said both higher and ordinary level papers were generally fine but she felt questions at both levels on the Irish music section were tricky.

The questions related to an excerpt played for them from a modern version of a lament. Higher level students were asked to identify it from a list of music types and Ms Morgan said it was hard to figure out.

However, she was pleased with a question in which students heard an excerpt from the musical Miss Saigon, as it added a modern touch to the exam.

Leaving Certificate classical studies papers completed the afternoon timetable and ASTI spokesperson Michael Barry said the higher level paper should have posed no problems for any students with the work covered. However, anybody who might have cut corners might have had difficulties.

He said questions on the ancient epics had too much emphasis on Virgil’s Aeneid at the expense of Homer’s Odyssey, while the information sought in a question on Medea was too specific. Some students also complained about the clarity of one of the photos in the booklet of illustrations.

Mr Barry said the ordinary level paper was found to be quite straightforward.