Students taking yesterday's Junior Cert business studies exams could have been thrown into confusion. The ledger and analysed cash book rulings were missing from the answer books. The error was spotted in time and additional paper was handed out at the start of the exams. Nervous students, though, could have been upset by the omissions.
For Mr John Crilly, the ASTI's subject convenor, the papers were fair but testing. For Ms Norah Martyn, who is the Business Studies Teachers Association of Ireland subject representative, they were tough. The ordinary-level paper, she said, contained a number of lengthy questions - including questions 3, 5 and 8 on section B. This, involved students in a considerable amount of reading. The banking question (4 section B) was far too difficult for that level, she believed, "particularly considering that the banking question on the higher-level paper was much easier". Mr Crilly agreed that the question was tough going for an ordinary-level student. At higher level, students at Marian College, Ballsbridge, Dublin, reported finding the 20 short question on section A the most difficult part of the paper, Ms Martyn noted. In particular, question 18 on house insurance "was far too difficult for Junior Cert students. It was more Leaving Cert material."
On Section B, Mr Crilly noted that question 3 (B)iv on Irish inflation rates was out of date. Students opting for both 2 per cent and 10 per cent should be given marks he said. Ordinary-level students had to complete only one business studies paper today. Higher-level students, though, sat down to a second paper after lunch. Teachers described it as fair. Although quite happy with the paper, Ms Norah Martyn noted that question 1 was far too long and could deter students from book-keeping.