LEAVING CERT TECHNICAL DRAWING: PAPER I HIGHER AND ORDINARY LEVEL:"TESTING BUT do-able" was the consensus on the higher and ordinary level technical drawing papers yesterday afternoon.

While a number of questions, particularly at the start of the papers, would have served to settle students into the exam, some challenging elements will have quickly identified the more able students in the subject.

This is the final year of the Leaving Cert technical drawing exam. It is being replaced next year by design and communication graphics. A timely move, according to the ASTI's John O'Sullivan, who believes that, after 25 years, the current syllabus has probably run its course.

A first glance at the higher level paper would have settled students, according to Mr O'Sullivan.

"The problem we had last year of over-intricate diagrams appears to have been resolved," said Mr O'Sullivan. "There was nothing like that this year. The questions helped ease students into the exam."

Paper I is less popular than the more practical Paper II, which will be examined on Monday, according to Fergal Kenny of the Engineering and Technology Teachers' Association.

Mr Kenny welcomed the 3D sketch that accompanied Question Three in the higher level paper. "A diagram like that hasn't been included before, but it helped students to visualise the question."

Question Four was described as "nicer than in previous years", while Questions Five, Six and Seven all contained particular complexities.

"Most students would have been able to do the (A) and (B) parts," Mr Kenny said. "The (C) parts would have suited the A and B students."

The mixture of challenging and do-able questions was mirrored in the ordinary level paper.

Again, the first question helped to calm students. Question Four drew some comment for including a very straightforward part (A) while students would have found part (B) to be more difficult.

"There's no problem with that really," Mr O'Sullivan said. "It is recognised that students at the upper end of the ability spectrum must be tested too . . . Overall it was a fair exam."