THE higher level biology paper was well received but there were mixed feelings among teachers about the ordinary level. Mr Tim O'Meara, the TUI subject representative, said that the ordinary level paper was very difficult.
"Relatively speaking, it was more difficult than the higher level," he said. "There was too much comprehension required relative to pure knowledge."
There wasn't much difference between the genetics question on the higher and ordinary level papers, he said. Question 15(a) which asked students about the principles on which Darwin based his theory of evolution was more appropriate fir higher level.
The choice offered to students was relatively poor with a number of different topics in the one question. For instance, question 14 spanned microbiology, the life cycle of the moss and fern, and germination, said Mr O'Meara, who teaches at St. Enda's Community School, Crossagala, Limerick.
However, Ms Lily Cronin, ASTI subject representative, said that the ordinary level paper was fine. Paper I, the short answer questions, were student friendly with a good choice which covered the syllabus well, she said. The second part of the paper, with the long answer quest ions also covered the syllabus broadly.
There were good clear diagrams which always helps the ordinary level students, said Ms Cronin, who teaches in St. John's Secondary School, Balloonagh, Tralee, Co Kerry.
At higher level, Mr O'Meara said that the paper was quite demanding but that was to be expected at this level. The instructions were quite clear as to the information needed in the answers, he said. There was a good choice of question and a good mixture between theory and practical.
The genetics question Was very manageable. "The only slight hiccup in the paper was the diagram in question 3 in the short answer section. (This showed a flowering plant tissue in transverse section). Students would be more used to longitudinal sections," said Mr O'Meara. Although the paper was demanding, the well prepared student should have no difficulty.
Ms Cronin said that the short answer part of the higher level paper was student friendly covering broad concepts in the syllabus. There was a good emphasis on practical work in the longanswer section. Question 15 contained a nice group of choices, she added. There was nothing in the paper, overall, which should be off putting to higher level students.