JUNIOR CERT: IRISH PAPERS 1 AND 2:A REVAMPED Irish exam paper received a tentative thumbs-up from students and teachers yesterday.

The higher level paper was seen as uneven with some parts posing more of a challenge than others, while ordinary level students had few surprises in a topical, well-drawn exam.

Paper 1 at higher level was deemed to be sticky in parts but unexpectedly easy in others. There was an issue with some of the vocabulary used in the aural exam.

“There were certain phrases that were quite difficult,” said ASTI representative Robbie Cronin. “Síntiús bliana, for example. It means annual subscription but I would think it’s challenging. It was even used in the ordinary level paper which seemed strange.”

TUI representative Séamus Ó Fearraigh, a teacher in Gairmscoil Chú Uladh, noted a recurring problem with the aural recording.

“It happens year after year but you have lovely natural speakers in the other Irish dialect. For some reason the speakers in the Ulster dialect always come across as being very laboured. They’re not talking naturally,” he said.

Students have the option of taking an oral exam at Junior Cert level. Among the changes made this year was that marks available for the oral have been increased while the marks available for the aural examination have reduced.

“There would be a fear that this change will adversely affect weaker students,” said Mr Cronin.

In the higher level written exam, two topical comprehensions about RTÉ’s All Ireland Talent Show and TG4’s student film competition kept things interesting.

A new grammar section came next. The first of these failed to challenge higher level students, according to Mr Cronin.

While ordinary level students went home at lunchtime, those sitting higher level returned in the afternoon for Paper 2.