'Rough deal' for male students on last day

Applied Maths and Agricultural Science: The 5,243 remaining Leaving Cert students finally completed their exams yesterday afternoon…

Applied Maths and Agricultural Science: The 5,243 remaining Leaving Cert students finally completed their exams yesterday afternoon as they emerged from Applied Maths and Agricultural Science. They were a largely male constituency, as male students dominate both subjects.

The Applied Maths paper, traditionally challenging and always last in the timetable, was regarded as a "trial" by some of its 1471 students. "Students found the exam pretty tough," said Oliver Murphy of Belvedere College. "This was not a gentle landing for the last group of students." But he pointed out that Applied Maths students are accustomed to a challenge: "Over 20 per cent of Applied Maths students get an A1 . . . students who elect to take the subject are usually exceptional."

The ordinary level paper was also considered tough, he said.

Agricultural Science, which had 3,772 entrants this year, a jump of almost 500, presented a "decent" paper, with none of the visual confusion of last year. "The pictures were clear, animals were recognisable," said TUI subject expert Seamus Hynes.

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"It's tough to keep your focus to the very last day . . . looking at the spread of subjects on the last day, I think the male students got a rough deal this year."

Louise Holden

Louise Holden

Louise Holden is a contributor to The Irish Times focusing on education