MATHS:With up to 5,000 students failing maths, mainly at ordinary level, in the Leaving Certificate each year, it is vital that you give yourself the maximum advantage by preparing properly for your forthcoming mocks.
- The questions on both maths papers require you to know a number of formulae. Revise and learn these formulae prior to your mocks. Record the formulae for each paper on a separate sheet, bringing them with you on the day of the exam. Read them carefully before you enter the exam hall, but don't attempt to bring them in with you. When you receive the examination paper, write down the formulae on your rough work page before you read the questions.
- You are required to attempt six questions, but do all eight if you have time because you will be marked out of your best six. Don't avoid a question because you cannot do a part (b) or (c), as you will get marks for all the work you attempt.
- Attempt marks are awarded for all relevant formulae, which you write down on your answer booklet, for each section or part of a question.
- Always start your work by attempting your strongest question. This will build confidence and help you to relax into the exam.
- Take your time in answering the first question you attempt – silly mistakes happen due to nerves and rushing through answers. You can speed up as your confidence builds. Give yourself about 25 minutes per question.
- In the days running up to your mocks, practise by doing two questions per night from past papers. Start with the part (a) questions as they are easiest, building up to the parts (b) and (c). If you can't answer a part (c), ask your teacher to explain it to you.
ENGLISH:English Paper 1 requires you to write a composition, plus section (a) and (b) questions, from three comprehension texts. You must select a section (a) from one text and a section (b) from a second text. Students sometimes present section (a) and (b) from one text in the Leaving Certificate. If you make this mistake, the marks for only one will be counted.
Students invariably practise compositions on a number of possible themes. If you haven't already done so, set about honing your technique in the range of writing tasks presented on the paper.
- Some students may be tempted to write a pre-prepared essay, rather than responding spontaneously to the task presented on the paper. In this regard, if you can make use of materials from one of the comprehension texts in writing your composition, you will show your capacity for originality of thought.
- Structure your composition very carefully. For example, a story can be greatly enriched by the use of a literary technique such as foreshadowing, in which intriguing hints are given about the ending in order to maximise its impact.
- English Paper 2 begins with a single text question, which for many higher level students in 2009 may be based on Shakespeare's Macbeth. In addressing the single text question, you must create an argument based on the exact question asked, and show a detailed knowledge of the work.
- In attempting the comparative studies question, students often lose marks by focusing on one of the texts, rather than developing a point of comparison between them. Ensure that you get the texts "talking to each other" and don't stray from the language of comparison into presenting mere summaries of particular texts.
- In answering the unseen poetry questions, identify where the weight of the poem lies. Look for key words or phrases, which may be repeated in the poem, that provide clues about the theme. An awareness of poetic techniques (metaphor, imagery, rhyme, etc) will also be useful in responding to the challenge of the unseen poem.
- In relation to the prescribed poems, questions will challenge you to express your appreciation of the poems, your enjoyment of the work of the poet you have chosen, and a deep understanding of the range of his or her concerns.
IRISH:The composition question on higher level Paper 1 will range over predictable themes, which you will have prepared for over the past two years. As you read your list of possible titles, the fit with some of your prepared material may not be immediately evident. However, if you take time to consider the range of compositions, including essay, story, newspaper/magazine article, debate or speech on offer, you will find that one of the themes that you have written about previously may well apply to at least one of the wide range of options on the paper.
- Ordinary level students will have a wide range of choices in presenting two of the following four options: story, comhra, letter or essay. If you choose to write a letter, ensure that the basic requirements (address, date, salutation etc) are adhered to.
- In answering the comprehension question at both higher and ordinary level, you are being tested on your understanding of written Irish. Be careful to quote the correct information. For higher level students, rephrasing material will also be necessary to achieve full marks. Do not leave any blanks – the answer is in front of you on the paper.
- In Irish Paper 2, you will be examined on the five stories you have studied. Make sure you know the main points, in correct Irish, of each story. You will be required to know the story, the characters, their traits, and the major themes of each story.
- The poetry question will be on five poems at ordinary level, plus eight higher level poems. Read the poems carefully and identify their themes, the main feelings expressed, and the poetic techniques used. Students may be expected to rewrite lines from the poem in their own words, and at ordinary level to give two reasons why they liked or disliked the poem.
- In answering the history question on the higher paper, it is sufficient to write a paragraph on each of three main points, which you can prepare beforehand.
- To assist you in preparing for both the aural and oral components of the exam, look at TG4 programmes such as Nuacht, Ros Na Rún and even the cartoons.
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