Junior Certificate metalwork:Ordinary-level metalwork students were challenged to a tougher exam than last year, following a trend in recent years to gradually raise the level of the paper. A number of teachers pointed to the inclusion of a four-stroke engine in question A as an example of higher standards at the level.

"There was more than the usual amount squeezed into this year's ordinary level paper," said TUI subject convenor Eamonn McAleer. "It looked to me like the ordinary level paper had been stepped up this year."

The higher-level paper was well received, and students were happy to see questions that reflected the practical project work they had completed earlier in the year.