Straightforward questions the business for students

Business was on the agenda for Leaving Certificate students around the country yesterday morning.

John Mcdonnell, subject spokesperson, Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland, said short questions on the higher-level paper contained straightforward topics like tax, delegation and mergers.

He thought the applied business question about a community setting up a farmers’ market in a closed- down factory was topical, and said the long questions covered main areas of the syllabus.

Mr McDonnell thought a management question on ratios might have been difficult for weaker students.

He said the ordinary-level paper appeared straight-forward, opening with short questions covering the basics of the course, and featuring topics such as foreign trade and marketing.

The Junior Certificate science exams were praised for including issues relevant to everyday life.

ASTI spokesperson Crena Shevlin said this was a positive aspect, referring to questions at higher-level about renewable energy and electricity.

Gerry King, Teachers’ Union of Ireland science representative, said the exam was challenging for the amount of detail required, but he said students who covered the course well should have done fine.

Ms Shevlin said ordinary- level students needed to have learned most of the three-year course for the exam, and thought some students would have found it difficult.

The written paper — worth more than one-third of overall marks for Leaving Certificate art — was on the afternoon timetable.

Jane Campbell, ASTI subject spokesperson gave a thumbs-up to the higher- level paper, where a twist in the popular gallery visit question asked students to compare viewing a work of art online and at an exhibit.

She thought teenagers would be hard-pressed to answer two other art appreciation questions about creating a home office or a local business’s impact on the character of a town, but said each section had at least one question most students would have been happy to attempt.

TUI art spokesperson Maureen Roche said both papers were broad-ranging with no hidden tricks.

Junior Certificate religious education was also tested yesterday. Aisling M Flood, ASTI subject spokesperson, thought ordinary-level candidates had a tougher paper than those at higher-level.

She said higher-level questions were concise and hit on all the course’s core concepts. But she felt there was difficult language and questions for ordinary-level students. She cited examples such as a question on the foundation of Christianity focusing on table-fellowship, and another on revelation in a world religion.

Exam diary

Well ladies and gents, all things must come to an end. Next week along with about 60,000 other students, I will finally be free.

The massive weight of ambitions, and six years worth of information will be lifted off our shoulders. And it still doesn’t even feel like we’ve done our Leaving, does it?

Art History and Appreciation is infamous for pedantic questions and unpredictability. However, yesterday’s paper was lovely. I prayed for Da Vinci, and there he was. There was no question on manuscripts, but the Bronze Age was a good alternative.

Next week I’ll sit Physics and Applied Maths, so this weekend I’m charging my batteries. Actually, what am I on about? Physics is epic. I’m seriously tempted to write “BAZINGA” at the end of my exam booklet. Do you think they’d see the funny side of it?

For anyone in 6th year, I hope that all of you realise your dreams come August and you’ll be happy. Until then, let’s give ’em hell.

I’ll see you in August,

— Jess MacSweeney