JUNIOR CERT HOME ECONOMICS:AFTER A well-received exam in 2008, hopes were high for this year's home economics paper.

At Junior Cert level, grades are based on a combination of the written exam and project work. Childcare, craft and textiles are worth 15 per cent of the total available marks, with food and culinary preparation adding another 35 per cent. Both sections are examined by Easter. This leaves the written exam, comprising the other 50 per cent of marks. This division meant students had a degree of security if unexpected questions came up.

In the event, the paper was well-received at both higher and ordinary level. Maura McCaul of Loreto College, St Stephen’s Green, Dublin, said the exam was straightforward, with good variety in the questioning.

She praised the topical aspects of the paper, noting the question on red meat. “Nutritionally it is quite important and is linked into the meat substitute question, which was asked at Leaving Cert level as well.” A question on consumer rights was welcomed as both topical and linked to the business syllabus. Students were asked to consider what recourse was applicable with a faulty mobile phone. Ms McCaul said this was a well-judged topic. “Students would have been able to relate to this very well as mobiles are an everyday part of their lives.”

The ordinary level paper was also praised. According to Ms McCaul, it was comparable in scope with the higher exam, but the answers did not require as much depth.