Verdict: Leaving Certificate mathsThere were no tears outside the exam halls yesterday as Leaving Cert maths students emerged from Paper 1. Both honours and ordinary-level students were treated to fair and straightforward papers with no convoluted questions, unlike last year.
Students hoping for a C grade at honours level should have been happy with this year's Paper 1. Those students seeking an A or B grade, however, may have been put off by higher-level questions in some sections.
Sixty per cent of the marks (or a C2) are available in the first two parts of each section in the honours paper, but the highest grades go to those who answer part C of a number of questions correctly.
Parts C(2) of questions 2, 8, and 9 were acknowledged by commentators to have been off-putting to nervous students.
"The C questions in some of the sections looked awkward at first reading and may have spooked some students," said skoool.ie subject expert Mr Jim Healy of Terenure College.
"However, they all worked out fairly easily in the end. Have-a-go students will have been rewarded for their efforts. Students who were unsure of themselves may have backed off."
Mr Andrew Carolan of the TUI agrees that students looking for top grades were tested.
"This was a balanced paper for the average student. A diligent worker who did plenty of past-paper practice will have fared well as this paper did not deviate widely from previous years.
"Doing well in maths is all about practice. For those students who are seeking top grades, however, there was a bit of an edge to this paper. That's how it should be - otherwise everyone would get A grades."
Last year honours maths Paper 1 was a pleasant affair that in no way prepared students for a harrowing second paper.
Mr Healy advised students to keep practising sample questions over the weekend.
"Monday's paper may not be as approachable as yesterday's, if last year is anything to go by," he said. "Students who have done plenty of past papers should find themselves on sure ground, however. Do yourself justice on Monday and keep practising the past papers. Don't relax just yet."
Leaving Cert ordinary-level students were reported to be broadly happy with yesterday's paper - deemed to be much easier than the mocks exam.
"This year's mocks exam for ordinary-level students caused many students to worry about their abilities. The extra three month's work combined with the relative simplicity of this paper means that students should be happy with their performances yesterday," said Mr Carolan.
Mr Healy noted the first question on ordinary level Paper 1 was a "confidence booster", which "should have set students in good stead for Paper 2 on Monday".
