'Predictable' paper causes confusion

Junior Cert/Home Economics:Home economics was a predictable affair with the usual time management problems, Junior Certificate students said yesterday.

While the content of the paper was considered "decent" and "predictable" by students, the layout of the paper left room for confusion.

Allocation of marks for the long format questions on Section B are not detailed, and each year students report difficulty deciding which parts of each question to prioritise.

"This is always an issue for the Junior Certificate home economic students," said TUI subject convener Ms Maureen Nugent.

"Some of the questions require students to list guidelines for activities such as baking or textile work, with no indication of how many guidelines are required. Students don't know how much these questions are worth, so they have to guess. They do get some idea from their teachers in class but they shouldn't be expected to remember those details in the exam," she said.