ExamWatch

‘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

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

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 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

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

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

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

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.

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

There is so much to prepare for, and plenty to digest in the aftermath, too – if you can imagine a world where this is actually over!

Teacher poaching rows and claims of ‘unsustainable’ wages are part and parcel of a highly competitive private tuition sector

Despite challenges there were also straightforward options

Well-prepared students had plenty of opportunity to shine

Mandatory question on philosophy tested students with complex ideas

Candidates had to ‘race through’ sections only to be faced with more daunting long answers

Students hoping for high marks needed to have studied entire course

Hozier, the Cranberries, Dermot Kennedy and Cian Ducrot make appearance

General tone of paper was one of familiarity with topics that ‘should be in everyone’s arsenal’

Education authority says its takes responsibility to uphold integrity of the State exams with ‘utmost seriousness’

Candidates needed to be disciplined to manage their time

Some topics far more challenging than previous years, say teachers

Students well drilled in past papers found exam offered a fair chance to show their work

Students needed to grasp whole phrases in some sections in order to understand important nuances

Many questions pitched just outside students’ comfort zones

Level of language skill necessary was very advanced for students who only took up the language in senior cycle

My Dad jokes have been an important mood breaker recently - or so I like to think

Linguistic challenges posed by novel topics posed steep challenges for weaker students in particular