BOTH LEVELS in the materials technology (wood) papers were well-received, testing and reflected a good cross-section of the syllabus, according to Mr Jim Bannon, a teacher at Beaufort College, Navan, Co Meath and chairman of the Association for Materials Technology and Graphics Teachers.
In general, section A of the ordinary-level paper was well-presented, had a good range of questions and was fair. However, a couple of questions might have been on the difficult side. Section B covered nearly all aspects of the syllabus and was testing of students' ability. Question 5, on alternative design, led students to be a bit innovative.
At higher level, section A contained a good range of 20 questions, reflecting a cross-section of the syllabus and students generally were happy as they left the examination.
Mr Antoin O Briain, TUI subject representative and a teacher at the Vocational School in Thurles, Co Tipperary, said that both papers were "very clearly laid-out and well illustrated." He said they certainly covered most aspects of the course and the degree of difficulty in each was correct.
A design question in section B of the higher level would have been difficult for students who did not know about either plywood, chipboard or fibreboard, he said.