The change in the questioning style of the construction studies papers was welcomed by teachers. Questions were broken down into a number of parts and this would have been helpful to students, said ASTI subject representative Mr Noel O'Neill.

Students in Presentation College, Carlow, were happy with the papers, he said. At higher level, "there was a nice environmental aspect to the paper and it would have suited both the technical student and the student who takes a broader view of the subject." Mr O'Neill's only quibble with the ordinary-level paper was that question 8(b) might have been somewhat difficult for that level of student.

Mr Charles Lyons, who represents the Materials Technology and Graphics Teachers Association, said the higher-level paper was different but fair. Mr Lyons, who teaches in St Killian's Community School, Bray, said question 10(a), which was based on domestic architectural heritage, was innovative. Part (b) of this question, on the merits of the demolition and replacement by an office block of a disused church, was equally topical.

He was also enthused about question 7 on the ordinary-level paper, which asked students about safety precautions on a building site for workers and visitors.

TUI subject representative Mr Cathal B Gallagher said the higher-level paper was very fair, covering a wide range of topics at the right level. Students at Falcarragh Community School, Co Donegal, were very happy with it.