Some confusion despite ‘lovely’ physics papers

THE third week of the 2011 state exams kicked off with a Leaving Certificate physics exam in which formulae and other values were not featured in the papers.

While students should have been prepared for this, as it meant the data was in formulae and tables booklets available from exam superintendents, some said it still caused confusion.

Despite this, Michael Gillespie of the Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) thought the papers for students at both levels were lovely. He felt the amount of arithmetic problem-solving required of ordinary-level students was reasonable, and that the exam fairly tested knowledge and understanding of the course.

He thought the higher-level exam should have been liked by those who were well prepared, although the maths required in a question about sound intensity from a concert speaker may have stressed some candidates.

Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) physics spokeswoman Edel McInerney liked the practical orientation of the exams, such as a higher-level question on circular motion featuring a merry-go-round and a question on harmonics produced by a clarinet.

She thought having to refer to formulae tables may have added to the challenging nature of some maths elements of questions in the ordinary-level paper. However, she considered the exam very fair and said students appeared pleased.

Meanwhile, Junior Certificate technical graphics students were examined in the morning and ASTI’s John O’Sullivan said diagrams on the higher and ordinary-level exams were clear and the questions guided students well.

He commended the variety of relevant objects featured, such as a music player and docking station in an ordinary-level question and a model boat on the higher-level exam. While there were challenging questions, such as a higher-level one on the ellipse and parabola, he said they gave a good chance for a range of abilities to be tested.

More than 15,000 Junior Cert woodwork students had completed projects worth two-thirds of overall marks before yesterday afternoon’s written exam.

ASTI’s Noel Scott thought the higher paper blended design and drafting with practical elements, and said it was challenging but fair. Students had to draft a football table, design a first-aid cabinet, and tackle the skill areas of wood turning and applying a wood finish to a coffee table.

He said the ordinary exam featured recognisable items, such as a rocking horse, a mobile phone holder, and a wooden go-cart. While it was challenging, Mr Scott said it was fairly pitched for students of this standard.

Meanwhile, Peter Quinn of the ASTI said the higher-level Leaving Certificate accounting exam may have surprised those who didn’t expect an incomplete records question for just 60 marks or a tabular statement for 100 marks, but well-prepared candidates should not have been troubled.

Veronica Edwards, TUI accounting spokeswoman, considered the final part of the budgeting question challenging but thought the paper was manageable. She welcomed the clarity of the language and layout in the ordinary level exam.

Derek Lynch, of the Business Studies Teachers Association of Ireland, said the higher-level accounting exam was fair, with a nice interpretation of accounts question.

He thought ordinary-level students might not have expected a departmental account in the opening section but said it was straightforward with two very manageable management accounting questions.