LEAVING CERT TECHNICAL DRAWING PAPER II:THE 25-YEAR-OLD Leaving Cert technical drawing syllabus was laid to rest yesterday as 5,661 students sat its final examination.

"Well-structured" was how one teacher described higher-level section B, which covers building technology. Four out of five students chose this paper: the remainder opted for section A, which emphasises engineering technology.

Next year's exam will combine both sections. The new design and communication graphics syllabus is already being taught in schools and will be examined for the first time in 2009.

"Section B at higher level was a very fair paper this year and it enabled students to achieve across the ability spectrum," said John O'Sullivan of the ASTI. "The ever-popular questions on mining geology and hyperbolic paraboloid were in line with expectations and would have helped students to settle down."

The section on the earthworks of a road development was considered challenging. Students were also happy with higher-level section A, although question 4 took some time to work out, some students said.

The ordinary-level paper, taken by almost one in three students, was broadly welcomed. A question on the hyperboloid of revolution on section B would have posed problems for some at this level, some teachers concluded.

Section A showed the shape of things to come with a 3-D sketching task. There was also an extended and rather wordy series of questions on computer-aided design, but the content was straightforward, according to Fergal Kenny of Bailieborough Community School in Co Cavan.

"Written questions and answers are a rather peculiar way to examine a computer programme, but from next year students will be examined in CAD through a practical project," said Mr Kenny.