Junior Cert home economics:There was little complaint about the Junior Cert home economics exams, with papers at higher and ordinary level described as "well developed" and "geared towards young people".

More than 20,000 students sat the home economics exams yesterday and more than three-quarters of the papers were taken at higher level. Almost 85 per cent of the candidates were female.

Maureen McGivern, of the Teachers' Union of Ireland and Deele College, Raphoe, Co Donegal, said both papers were fair and could not be faulted.

Yesterday's exam will count for 50 per cent of the grade for students taking higher level. The other half of the marks come from a culinary exam, taken earlier this year, and a course-work project.

"The higher-level exam was a nice paper with a good selection of questions that covered the course well," Ms McGivern said.

Students were said to have been happy with the paper, which featured questions on subjects such as consumer information, the heart and reproduction.

"Some of the questions were quite searching, but those students who have done their work will be rewarded for it," Ms McGivern said.

The ordinary-level exam comprises two sections - long and short questions - and accounts for 40 per cent of students' overall grade.

Ms McGivern said: "The paper was quite straight-forward and it put a big emphasis on physical, moral and emotional development of young people."

Candidates were given a good choice of questions on a range of subjects including healthy eating, household budgeting and internet shopping.