There's a false perception around that home economics (scientific and social) is somehow an easy subject. In fact, it's very much on a par with many other subjects as regards points, and for a higher-level student to earn high marks, you really have to know your stuff.

Home economics is very factually based - there's no room for waffle when you're approaching this subject, or this exam.

It's a subject that, perhaps more than any other, offers a good basic grounding for life, for all aspects of living. And it also prepares students for a variety of courses after the Leaving Cert, food science and catering among them.

The entire subject is very diverse, and it overlaps in places with some other subjects. That will happen less when the new Leaving Cert curriculum comes in, which won't, for example, have any physiology in it. The new course will reflect social changes - for example, the role of EU law in areas affecting home economics.

However, that doesn't matter much to those of you finishing your Leaving Cert course. You've got to concentrate now on taking an exam. Remember, it's very important to attempt all five questions. In areas that may cause difficulty for many weaker students, like microbiology, just remember to stick to your points and label your diagrams carefully.

At this stage, don't panic. You still have time to revise the course between now and exam time. Here is a suggested revision schedule for the home-economics course:

Week 1: proteins; the liver; cheese; meat/poultry Week 2: milk; eggs; preservation; respiratory system; fish Week 3: carbohydrates; cereals; sugar; the skin; milk products Week 4: fat-soluble vitamins; vegetables; consumer studies; microbiology Week 5: lipids; the nervous system; diets/menu planning; electricity Week 6: minerals; water; convenience foods; endocrine system; family/marriage Week 7: water-soluble vitamins; large and small electrical appliances; housing/house purchase; social problems Week 8: the kidneys; community services; food additives; fats and oils Week 9: reproduction; fruit; finance; interior decoration Week 10: heart/blood; modern living; child development/education

Good luck!

Ann McNicholl is a teacher in Carndonagh Community School, Co Donegal. She is TUI subject representative for home economics (scientific and social) and a member of the NCCA course committee for the subject.