More than 115,000 teenagers are today nervously waiting to begin their Leaving or Junior Certificate exams in centres across the country.
Almost 90 subjects will be tested during the two-week marathon, with teachers warning pupils not to cram in too much study.
As well as curricular subjects there will also be 15 languages tested at Leaving Cert for native speakers including Romanian, Polish and Latvian.
The State Examinations Commission (SEC) revealed enhanced procedures have been put place to avoid the blunder that left pupils having to sit their second English paper on a Saturday morning after a superintendent handed out the exam on the wrong day.
Measures include amending timetables to ensure no subject with two written papers will be held either on two mornings or two afternoons; redesigned packets and labels to prioritise the key information and instructions; and updated and revised the training and instructions for superintendents.
Richard Langford, SEC chairman, said events surrounding the reschedule of Leaving Certificate English Paper 2 last year showed how any disruption to the examination schedule can impact on all those involved.
“The significance of the state examinations in the lives of candidates and their families cannot be underestimated,” he added.
This year 55,783 candidates are entered for the Leaving Certificate, with 3,418 sitting the Leaving Certificate Applied and 57,133 doing the Junior Certificate exam in 4,700 centres nationwide.
The Irish Prison Service confirmed 117 inmates will sit Leaving Cert examinations, with 161 taking Junior Certificate subjects. Elsewhere 53 pupils attending the Ism International School in Tripoli, Libya, will take the Leaving.
Joe Moran, president of the secondary school teacher’s union ASTI, urged students to follow a sensible routine which includes good food, enough sleep and regular exercise rather than a gruelling routine of study, exam, study, exam.
“Making sure your routine is balanced will help your concentration and reduce stress,” said Mr Moran, a teacher at Presentation Ballingarry in Tipperary. “Exam preparation the evening before each exam should include mental planning of the time available to answer each section of the next day’s exam papers.”
The teacher said he was a great believer that moderate exercise during the exam period reduces anxiety and boosts concentration and performance.
He also warned that while exams are important, they are not everything.
“Students should remember that this is just one of life’s many experiences. Your worth as a person is not tested by an examination. Do your best and know that whatever happens, many opportunities lie ahead of you,” Mr Moran added.
The Leaving Certificate results will be issued on Wednesday, August 18th, with the Junior Certificate results released around a month later.
PA