It was goodbye to the exam halls for more than 5,000 engineering students.
Dr Lawrence Smyth of Falcarragh Community School, Co Donegal, said the 17 boys in his class were quite pleased with the higher-level paper. "It was one of the best papers I have seen in a while. There were no problems with it, though not everyone got finished."
The electronic circuit in question 1(r) may have caused difficulties for some students. Question 2(a), which graphically illustrated the four forces - tension, torsion, compression and sheer force - was new.
Overall, the paper was fair and examined the subject to the right level, he said. Dr Smyth praised the clear graphics which accompanied the questions.
ASTI subject representative Mr Paddy Keays said students at Crescent College Comprehensive, Limerick, were pleased with both papers, which were student-friendly and well illustrated. He singled out question 2(a) on the higher-level paper for praise. Both papers covered the full range of the syllabus.
The prescribed topic this year was the principles and applications of relays in control technology. "The students felt that they had sufficient knowledge to answer the question," he said.
Yesterday's written exam only accounts for 50 per cent of the total marks. Students had completed a project, which accounts for 25 per cent of the marks, and they had also done a practical test for the other 25 per cent.
Sample Question from the ordinary-level engineering paper
7(a) Define the term interference fit as used in a system of limits and fits.
(b) Explain the essential difference between a plug gauge and a gap gauge.
(c) Holes and shafts of 50mm nominal diameter are machined so as to give a precision location fit when assembled. The following conditions are specified:
(i) Minimum hole diameter 50.00mm
(ii) Minimum shaft diameter 49.971mm
(iii) Minimum clearance 0.010mm
(iv) Maximum clearance 0.059mm
Determine the tolerance for the shaft and the hole.
Or
(c) Describe the operation and function of any one of the following:
(i) Dial gauge
(ii) Double acting pneumatic cylinder;
(iii) Solenoid