Junior Certificate mathsMany students made an early exit from yesterday's ordinary level maths paper, which was presented in a new, 16-page workbook format. Students reported finding the paper "easy" and fair, although skoool.ie subject expert Jim Healy worried that some may have been too cavalier.

"I wonder if some of the students who left early may have missed parts of the paper," Mr Healy said. "Some of the weaker students don't have the concentration level required to get through a 16-page answer book properly in one sitting.

"While the exam itself was fair and well constructed, I'm not sure if the answer book format is working for everyone. It takes a great deal of focus to read the paper properly from start to finish."

Students were reported to be encouraged by yesterday's higher level paper 2, which was well constructed and easy to follow.

Eileen Scanlon of the Jesus and Mary secondary school in Salthill, Co Galway, said that many of her students had enjoyed the paper, as it was well presented and relevant. "Many of the questions had a practical dimension that the students could relate to."