Teachers praise Leaving Cert geography, but slam Junior Cycle history as 'illogical and unfair'
This year's Leaving Certificate geography exam contained no major surprises, offering students a "lovely" and well-balanced paper with reliable and current questions.
However, the unfamiliar 'donut' graph format may have caused some stress for students, teachers who reviewed the paper said.
On the third day of the 2025 State exams, Leaving Cert students sat geography on Friday morning, while Junior Cycle students took their history paper.
The Junior Cycle history exam once again faced criticism from teachers, who say the continued absence of mark allocations and limited time remain significant challenges for students.
The 2025 Ordinary Level geography paper was described as fair by Laura O'Sullivan, a teacher at Bantry Community School and secretary of the Cork Geography Teachers' Association.
'The short questions were really well scaffolded with images, which is really good for candidates, and the longer questions were very accessible," Ms O'Sullivan said.
At Higher Level, she added, the short answer section was more balanced than in previous years.
'In previous years, they were looked for loads of answers for small marks whereas I think this year they were more realistic about what can be achieved in a short amount of time which is fantastic.'
One graph question may have presented difficulty for some Higher Level students, she noted.
'It was just a different kind of graph than they would have come across before.'
'Your more able candidates would have been fine but the weaker candidates might struggle with it.'
'They just won't be used to having seen it, but if they treat it like they treat other graphs, and don't panic, then they'll be fine.'
Students also needed to read a question on rock types and landscapes carefully, she said, as it required more than one example.
'If they only did one rock type, and one landscape, then they'll probably only get half the marks.'
Overall, she described the paper as very fair and said she was 'very happy' with its structure and content.
Margaret Fitzpatrick, a teacher at Midleton CBS, also praised the 2025 geography paper.
'The biggest challenge was actually completing it because they would have so much knowledge."
"It was a lovely, lovely paper with each section nicer than the other.' 'If students had worked off their exam papers, they should have been well able for it. The only challenge would be getting it done in the time allowed.'
Junior Cycle
Meanwhile, Junior Cycle history continues to pose a major challenge, according to Studyclix subject expert Jamie Dockery, a teacher at Tyndall College, Carlow.
Students are expected to answer eight questions across a wide range of topics within a strict two-hour limit.
'Not accounting for the time needed to pre-read the paper and review answers, practices teachers actively encourage, students are left with roughly fifteen minutes per question."
"That's a demanding pace, even for the most capable candidates."
'This year, the difficulty was compounded yet again by the continued absence of mark allocations on the exam paper. Each of the eight questions carried different marks, yet students were given no indication of this during the exam."
Mr Dockery added that under time pressure, students should have the option to prioritise higher-value questions.
"A basic exam strategy they are taught in every other subject. Denying them this opportunity in History is both illogical and unfair," he added.
'It risks disadvantaging students in their results and may even deter some from continuing with History into Senior Cycle."
Read More
Junior Cycle English short story question sparks criticism from teachers
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Independent
11 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Proud Cork students celebrate graduation from esteemed education programme
The graduates completed their QQI level 4, which is equivalent to the Leaving Certificate, as part of the Cork College of Further Education and Training's (CCFET) collaboration with Youthreach. Family, friends and Youthreach staff were there to celebrate the students' qualification, which will allow them to progress into further education or directly into the work force. During the academic year CCFET and Youthreach centres provided students with opportunities to sample potential courses and access to open days and year-long support. The main objective of the collaboration is to familiarise Youthreach students with CCFET resources and campuses to make transitioning to further education and training campuses easier. Mr Denis Leamy, chief executive of Cork Education and Training Board, said the student's graduation was not just about academic achievement. "It is a powerful reflection of the resilience, talent, and determination of our Youthreach graduates,' Mr Leamy stated. 'Your success demonstrates the transformative impact of Further Education and Training in opening up real-world opportunities, whether in apprenticeships, college, or the workforce. 'We are immensely proud of these young people and of the dedicated staff and partners who support them on their journey to lifelong learning and meaningful careers.'
Irish Times
17 hours ago
- Irish Times
Memories of a summer solstice
Sir, – The more I'm extending into my pension years, the less enchanted I've become by the summer solstice, finding it difficult to comprehend why it arrives so early each year now! Be that as it may, there was one summer solstice I thought could never come quickly enough. Mid-summer's day 1969, a Saturday also, was to have heralded the end of the torturous Leaving Cert for me. However, due to Leaving Certificate papers having been 'stolen' from De La Salle School, Churchtown, on June 12th, 1969, I was among the many who had to traipse back to examination halls on Friday, June 27th, and Saturday, June 28th to sit a repeat of the English and Maths exams. Over the years since, the summer solstice has engaged me at times with notable ritual, as in the year I found myself inside the Arctic Circle, while occasionally scarcely registering at all but never without 1969 sending a shiver down my spine. – Yours, etc, READ MORE MICHAEL GANNON, Kilkenny.
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Irish Independent
‘Deplorable' poisoning of White-Tailed Eagle in Kerry under investigation
The young female eagle was brought in as a chick from Norway in 2024 by the White-tailed Eagle Reintroduction Programme, managed by NPWS, under the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Sadly the bird was found dead in Glencar in April of this year and toxicology reports show it was poisoned by a illegal substance. The NPWS have launched an investigation into the death of the eagle and have strongly criticised the incident. Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O'Sullivan TD also criticised the incident. The young female eagle released in Killarney National Park in 2024. Since 2020, all eagles released as part of this programme are monitored via satellite-tags. Concerns were raised in early April, as the eagle's satellite tag showed that she had remained stationary for several days. NPWS staff went to the location of the satellite tag and located the partially decomposed carcass of the eagle in a woodland. Toxicology tests have confirmed it had been poisoned with Carbofuran, an insecticide which has been banned in Ireland since 2007. It is not known how the eagle ingested this substance at this time. The NPWS said it 'deplores the deliberate killing of rare and endangered species, and takes bird of prey persecutions extremely seriously.' Deputy O'Sullivan said that the loss is 'regrettable' but will not stop efforts to introduce the bird of prey. 'Any loss in the wild not due to natural causes, is usually the result of human activity and this tragic loss is deeply regrettable.' 'We will continue with our efforts to introduce, nurture and protect these birds as part of The Reintroduction Programme which has been making significant progress in restoring this lost flagship species to Irish skies. The White Tailed Eagle is part of Ireland's natural heritage and are important for our biodiversity, as they are a good indicator species regarding the health of our ecosystems.' Considerable efforts in recent years to reintroduce this iconic species, which was driven to extinction in the 19th and early 20th century by human persecution, have successfully contributed to the species re-establishment in Ireland. The White-tailed Eagle Reintroduction Programme, which began in 2007, has so far released nearly 200 young eagles which have been supplied by the Norwegian Government. Currently, there are 13-16 breeding pairs, with 64 chicks fledged by the end of 2024. Sadly, however, a number of the eagles brought in as part of the programme have met untimely deaths. Recently, it was announced that a male eagle which held territory in Lough Derg for 17 years had been found dead, also suspected due to poisoning. The NPWS said the 'persecution by humans is the biggest threat to the reintroduction programme in Ireland." "The misuse/illegal use of poisons accounts for nearly 50% of eagle deaths where the cause of mortality was able to be determined, and at least one eagle has been shot. In terms of natural causes of death, a number of eagles have succumbed to avian flu, as well as other conditions,' they said. The NPWS have now launched an investigation and are appealing to the public for information. 'We appealing for any information the public may have in relation to the incident, or any other suspected poisoning or other unlawful killing of birds." Any information in respect of this or any suspected breaches of the Wildlife legislation should be reported to the NPWS head office or local offices or via email to wildlifeenforcement@ Wildlife crime incidents can also be reported to An Garda Síochána. The NPWS has also stressed that in the interests of public health and safety, the public should not handle dead birds.
