MORE THAN 60 students sat special maths examinations yesterday for entry to NUI Galway and Sligo Institute of Technology.
The exams were aimed at students who met CAO requirements for entry, but did not achieve the necessary Leaving Certificate maths grade.
Prof Pádraic O'Donoghue, dean of engineering and informatics at NUI Galway, said about 40 students sat the exams yesterday for entry to engineering and IT degree programmes.
He said the exam "provides students with a valuable second opportunity to achieve the mathematics requirement and may be particularly relevant this year with the difficulties in Leaving Certificate mathematics experienced by many students".
Pádraic Cuffe, student affairs manager at IT Sligo, said 27 students sat the exam at the college yesterday. Students who pass can gain entry to all courses at the institute with the exception of the civil engineering honours degree.
A further 28 students are expected to sit the exam today at the University of Limerick, while 20 students are registered to sit the exam at NUI Maynooth tomorrow.
Bernie Quilligan, science and engineering faculty manager at the University of Limerick, said people often achieve the points for engineering and science degree courses, but not the required grade in maths. "This gives them a second opportunity if they've fallen down."
Students who wish to study at Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT) but did not achieve the necessary maths grade also get a second chance. Students who pass a three-week intensive maths course, which begins on Monday, will be eligible for all programmes except engineering, medical science and nursing.