Classroom to College

‘This paper gave students a lot of opportunities to show their knowledge of the subject’

Teachers report accessible questions, familiar vocabulary and manageable grammar

‘Paper contained questions on household extensions and adapting them for ... disabled or elderly people’

‘A good, balanced paper allowing students to display their knowledge’

Reduced emphasis on exams can suit some students

No major shocks, but very few questions that could be described as highly predictable

Some feel the higher-level paper was accessible and fair, but others think it contained tricky vocabulary

State Examinations Commission apologises for error, which will be taken into account in marking

Prose and poetry questions were approachable but some of the reading comprehensions may have been challenging

Mother of student with dyslexia made the difficult decision that her daughter shouldn’t sit the exams

Hopefully, Leaving Cert students who left school halls drained and miserable last Friday after the higher-level maths paper were a little happier following the second paper

Ordinary-level Leaving Cert Irish paper considered fair, manageable and accessible for students

Jean Kelly, a maths teacher, said that the ordinary-level paper was fair, modern and thoughtfully designed

Psychotherapist Colman Noctor would much prefer to see a child approaching the exams in a ‘chilled’ fashion, rather than ‘stressed out of it’

Irish teacher Hugh Gallagher suggests it’s better to stick to simple, accurate sentences when writing answers, as opposed to more complex ones, where mistakes can occur

Kat Ruane (18) has ADHD and dyspraxia, and finds it hard to manage the timings of exams

Okay, it was a short week, but it probably didn’t feel like that for anyone sitting the tests.

Students were generally relieved with an approachable higher-level maths paper one, but the element of choice allowed them to swerve trickier questions, teachers said.

Students sitting the Leaving Certificate geography exams were happy with a paper that rewarded preparation while avoiding unexpected questions, teachers have said

When it comes to our Junior Cycle students, it’s all about continued support and motivation

Momin Bari is studying seven higher-level subjects and also French at ordinary level

Paper two challenged candidates but was ‘manageable’, teachers say

The musician and broadcaster sat the exams in the summer of 1984

Guidance counsellor says students should focus ‘on what they know’ rather than what they feel they do not

With its seven, maybe eight subjects, the Leaving Cert cherishes the value of the generalist. In the UK, a 16-year-old may be studying just three

‘Accessible’ higher level paper ‘fully aligned with the syllabus’ across ‘wide range of topics’

Thank you to each of the students, parents and teachers who have shared their views with us

Students relieved and happy after sitting test with ‘terrific’ essay options and variety in reading comprehensions

Erin McGreehan, TD for Louth

Grace McNamara (18) is hoping to do well in English and history

Classroom to College: If you are a student, parent or teacher, we have the news, views and information for you

Sheer amount of handwriting required in answers can make heads – and hands – ache

Kayleigh Quinn says a comment from a psychiatrist pushed her to do the Junior Cycle exams, which has now led to tackling the Leaving

Author Liz Nugent sat her Leaving Certificate in 1985 and still has nightmares about it

Four Chinese students on sitting the gaokao, a challenging national test that will shape their futures

More than 100,000 households begin the Junior Cert and Leaving Cert exams this week. Yes, we said it, because if one person is sitting the June exams, everyone in the family is.

Eoin Murphy found you sometimes can’t win as a Leaving Cert student, such as when you get too much sun

Fionnuala Moran, broadcaster, sustainability influencer and DJ

Study tips, expert advice and live reaction to the State exams

Pointers on how best to help and encourage a son or daughter in what can be a stressful period