Applied Maths and Agricultural Science: The 5,243 remaining Leaving Cert students finally completed their exams yesterday afternoon as they emerged from Applied Maths and Agricultural Science. They were a largely male constituency, as male students dominate both subjects.
The Applied Maths paper, traditionally challenging and always last in the timetable, was regarded as a "trial" by some of its 1471 students. "Students found the exam pretty tough," said Oliver Murphy of Belvedere College. "This was not a gentle landing for the last group of students." But he pointed out that Applied Maths students are accustomed to a challenge: "Over 20 per cent of Applied Maths students get an A1 . . . students who elect to take the subject are usually exceptional."
The ordinary level paper was also considered tough, he said.
Agricultural Science, which had 3,772 entrants this year, a jump of almost 500, presented a "decent" paper, with none of the visual confusion of last year. "The pictures were clear, animals were recognisable," said TUI subject expert Seamus Hynes.
"It's tough to keep your focus to the very last day . . . looking at the spread of subjects on the last day, I think the male students got a rough deal this year."
