Fair test for agricultural science students
He said the opening set of questions in the Higher Paper had more parts than usual and covered a very wide range of topics. Elsewhere, students were asked to differentiate between parasitic and deficiency diseases, which was more than might normally be expected on an exam, but the experiment questions were fine.
Mr Hynes said ordinary level candidates were set an exam which was student-friendly, with a good mix of diagrams and photographs, although a long genetics question would have tested a lot of students.
The afternoon Leaving Certificate music papers featured challenging but fair tests of both listening and comprehension, according to Enda O’Connor of the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland.
He said listening questions on the set works required background information as well as detailed analytical responses, and a lot of listening material required correct use of musical terminology.
However, the Irish music section covered a very wide choice of topics and there was good choice and straightforward material in the melody writing and harmony sections of the composing papers.
TUI’s Anne Maxwell thought there was a nice end to the listening section, featuring the Simon & Garfunkel song Bridge Over Troubled Waters. Although the use of a minor key melody in a composition question might ordinarily be difficult, she said it was nicely laid out, but the backing chords question might have caused problems.
Ms Maxwell said the ordinary level exam had a very good layout and gave students every opportunity to show what they had learned.
The Junior Certificate ended yesterday for students taking Latin, classical studies, Italian and ancient Greek. Today’s religious education, applied maths, Italian, Japanese and technology papers wrap up the 2010 Leaving Certificate.
