"Not an encouraging paper" was the verdict on today's higher level Junior Cert science exam.
"We are trying to attract students into science and this was not a paper that would have done that," said Crena Shevlin, a teacher in St Raphaela's School in Stillorgan. "There was nothing in it to encourage a weaker higher level student which was a pity."
Although the paper showed promise in requiring students to know and apply their scientific knowledge, rather than relying on the rote learning of the past, the Junior Cert paper provided little respite for students at the lower end of the ability range.
"Normally the weaker student might focus on biology," Ms Shevlin said. "But this year the biology was demanding enough."
However, Carmel Crowley, a TUI representative who teaches in Kenmare Community School, said anyone who had worked from previous exam papers "would have been fine".
Since Junior Cert students study physics, chemistry and biology, the science course is notoriously broad. The familiar guessing game that occurs at Leaving Cert, however, is well nigh impossible as there is no choice of questions on the paper.
A question on CFL bulbs was a welcome nod to modernity, Ms Crowley said.
Some of the diagrams on the paper drew criticism. "I had to do a double take with some of them, trying to figure out what they were," Ms Shevlin said. "They should be in colour and they need to be clearer."
At ordinary level, the paper was, "fine", Ms Crowley added. "The questions were clear, fair, and they were appropriately pitched for the ordinary level students."