Student-friendly, well presented, and with good topics and themes: all common descriptions of this year's higher-level Junior Cert maths paper. The exam was based on the Project Maths syllabus, which focuses on real-world applications for maths.

Brid Griffin, TUI subject representative, said although the last part of some questions was a little difficult, "it is appropriate that some of the more capable students face a meatier challenge".

Elaine Devlin of the ASTI said the higher level paper got a positive response from students and was not too wordy. She noted a lack of theorems on the exam, which would have pleased some and displeased others.

The ordinary level maths faced more stern criticism. Ms Devlin said the paper was far too wordy and that the SEC has taken its eye off the ball of the ordinary level Junior Cert paper.

“The ordinary level paper is now supposed to be pitched at students who are weaker at maths, but this wrongly assumed a level of literacy that many of the students will not have had. I’m so disappointed with it.”

Eamonn Toland of TheMathsTutor.ie said the ordinary level paper was reasonable overall, but the opening question was "quite challenging for ordinary level".

Despite an error on yesterday’s Junior Cert civic, social and political education paper, students and teachers were broadly happy with the exam . Commenting on yesterday’s exam teachers expressed satisfaction with the content but some complained no female politicians featured in the photograph section.

"It was also interesting that in a question on the Irish Prison Service, the students were asked to give reasons why 'a justice system that tries to rehabilitate prisoners such as the one here in Ireland is better than a justice system that executes prisoners, tortures prisoners or uses physical punishment on prisoners'. Some people could take issue with the rehabilitation record of the Irish system," said Brendan O'Regan of the Association of CSPE Teachers.