Students and teachers welcome paper of topical questions

LEAVING CERT ECONOMICS:IN A YEAR when the economy was at the top of everyone's agenda, the Leaving Cert economics exam was welcomed by teachers and students for rewarding candidates who kept up with current affairs.

Shane Ó Ciardubhain, of Co Carlow Gaelcoláiste, said one of the higher paper’s strengths was its broad range. “It’s a fairly wide choice, so students who have prepared the major topics will be fine.” He added that most students would have been expecting the questions on personal income and on imperfect competition.

Ray O’Loughlin, of the Institute of Education, said the examination was fair. He said full marks could easily be earned in Section A as all questions were familiar and straightforward, and agreed that topics such as elasticity, costs and imperfect competition should have been well-received by students as these topics would have been well-flagged.

The number of candidates taking economics has been low in comparison to other business subjects, according to Mr Ó Ciardubhain, who said the examiners have been trying to make the exam more topical in keeping with the last two years.

“This year, they had questions on banks overextending, credit and the problems that causes. They had a question on Government finances. Students had to imagine they were an economic adviser to the State and would have to decide what would be the best course of action.”

Mr O’Loughlin praised the use of computer game consoles. It tested students’ knowledge of substitute goods and their impact on market equilibrium.

He noted that later topics were more demanding from a time point of view, but agreed that questions on national income and unemployment would have been popular with students.

Ordinary level also had a wide range of questions and was very fair, said Mr Ó Ciardubhain. It also took note of current issues, with a question on the falling demand for cars in Ireland and how it has affected the market, the industry and Government revenues.

He praised the language on the paper, which was straightforward and clear.