THERE were smiles all around as relieved Leaving Cert students left the exam halls after straight forward second papers in mathematics. Mr Sean O'Brien, ASTI subject representative, said that the first five questions on the higher level paper were very fair and gave students the scope to show their mathematical ability and work rate.
"The paper included a number of standard proofs which would reward the student who had studied hard," he added. But, questions 6 and 7 may have prove awkward for some students with testing parts on probability. The most popular option in section B was question 8 which may, however, have posed problems as parts (b) and (c) required some insight, said Mr O'Brien, who teaches maths in CBS Secondary School, The Green, Tralee, Co Kerry.
Ms Christina Conroy, a teacher in Donahies Community School, Dublin, described the higher level paper as fair but slightly harder than paper I. Questions 1 and 3 were gifts, she said. The more testing parts of the paper were questions 2 (c)(ii), 5 (c) last part, 6 (c)(ii), 7(b), 8 (b) last part and getting started on (c).
Again, question 8 proved popular with students at the Donahies, despite the testing nature of parts (b) and (c). "There was a lot of theory on the paper and students would have needed to know how to prove certain formula more than in previous years," said Ms Conroy.
Students at CBS Seondary School, Youghal, Co Cork, were pleased with what they described as a very fair paper. They were surprised that five standard proofs came up, said the principal, Mr Kieran Groeger, but they were not complaining. The paper was easier than expected and would have suited the weaker student.
The ordinary level paper was generally well received by students and it should allay any fears lingering from yesterday, reported Mr Sean O'Brien. All questions on the core material were of a standard type. Part (c) of questions 5 and 6 were a little testing but the option questions were fine, according to Mr O'Brien.
Ordinary level students at CBS Youghal were delighted with the second paper, reported Mr Groeger. Questions 1 and 2 were judged long but the question on probability was short so it balanced out overall. The reaction of student Robert Hennessy summed it up: "I was fairly unhappy with paper I yesterday but paper It made up for it."
Her ordinary level students agreed with this analysis, said Ms Conroy. It was a very fair paper and most students would have been able to complete all of the questions they attempted. Question 1 was standard, following the same format as last year's paper, she said. Questions 2,3, 4, 5 and 7 were straightforward while question 6, the probability question, was "short and sweet". All of the ordinary level students at the Donahies opted for question 11 in section B, which was straightforward and shorter than in previous years.
"Paper I disheartened a lot of students," said MS Conroy. "They were unable to complete part (c) in most questions and they felt that their chances of achieving a high grade were dashed. Hopefully today's paper will swing the balance in their favour."
At foundation level, Mr Sean O'Brien, noted that the paper was of such a standard that any student who achieved well should have his or her qualification recognised by third level institutions.