If students sitting yesterday's ordinary-level technology exam spent their revision time going over past papers, they almost certainly did well.
Many of the same questions crop up from year to year, and yesterday was no exception, according to Mr Padraig Kirk, national chairman of the Engineering and Technology Teachers Association. The paper was student-friendly, with clear diagrams, but contained some difficulties, he said. "Section B, question 1 might have confused ordinary-level students." On the higher-level paper, section B, question 2 was difficult for students this age and part (a) lacked coherence, he said. "This should be taken into consideration at the marking conference." Question 2(b), on the speed of motors, was confusing and asked too much of students, he said.