Mathematics paper proves to be ‘very fair’

STUDENTS never know when their number will come up in the lottery that is the Leaving Certificate’s second mathematics’ paper.

After a third gruelling day there were tears in some quarters when the exam finished at noon yesterday but other students felt there were good options among the eight set questions.

Aisling Twomey, 18, from Blackrock, who is a student of Christ King in Cork city, said the honours paper was better than the one they sat in the mock exams three month’s ago.

“I thought it was very fair. There was nothing out of this world. There was a couple of bits that were tough but nothing like you would not have seen before.

“The first algebra question I could not get at first so I worked on and was able to go back to it. It was not so much trouble after I calmed down and thought about it. I would usually be in the C or B range but it was a fair paper,” she said.

Her classmates Joy Leahy, 19, from Rochestown, and Anna Killeen were relieved it was over.

Both found the second part of question one, which was algebra-based, to be the most difficult on the paper.

“I thought it was okay. A few bits I found hard. I tried one question but found it really hard so I moved and the rest was fine,” said Joy.

Anna said the difficulty of some questions was offset by their shortness.

“There was one algebra question I completely blanked at first. But it was grand after a while. I did seven questions instead of six, they were fairly short.

“It would be one of my best subjects so I was pleased. They were very fair and approachable, there was nothing too difficult,” she said.

There were mixed reactions to the ordinary level paper but in nearby Coláiste Chríost Rí, Daniel Sweeney of Bishopstown felt it was manageable: “It was easier than I thought it would be.”