When yesterday's Junior Cert technology exams ended at Confey College, Leixlip, Co Kildare, a sense of euphoria reigned. This, noted deputy principal Mr Rory O'Toole, had a little to do with the papers and a lot to do with it being the students' last exam.
Higher-level students were pleased with section A and with the choice in sections B and C. "I was also impressed with the clarity and presentation of the papers. This year's paper and level of difficulty was more appropriate than it has been in previous years." Mr O'Toole was particularly pleased with the food technology question 3 (a) in section C. "Parents and teachers tend to think of technology in terms of electronics and materials processing."
The vast majority of the 26 Junior Cert students taking the technology exams at Confey College were sitting the higher paper. The ordinary-level students also had no complaints about their paper, Mr O'Toole said. "Three of the students told me that they were able to answer almost all the short answer questions."