The Leaving Cert lays foundation for third level

Google Scientist winner Sophie Healy-Thow was most unscientific in her “Leaving should be more than just a memory test” article (Irish Examiner, December 3).

If she were scientific she would start with the fact that the function of the Leaving Cert is not to measure the all-round ability of the examinees, but to measure their ability to cope with the massive memory loads of third-level studies.

That ability is the foundation of scientific (including critical) thinking at all life stages. Without that ability adults will flounder.

Without it Sophie wouldn’t have won at the Google Science Fair. Low Leaving Cert points levels indicate low levels of that ability.

Those who study at third-level on that low basis cannot but study poorly and waste time and money.

Therefore, it is only right that Leaving Cert study should prioritise development of that ability.

Incidentally, if it were easy to have high levels of it all Leaving Cert examinees would score in the 600s. Sophie has clearly a high level.

Maybe she would use it to help those around her to have it!

Joseph F. Foyle

Sandford Road

Ranelagh

Dublin 6