From Leaving CertiFiCate to Leaving SChooL a Longitudinal Study ...

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From Leaving Certificate to Leaving School
students who had achieved lower Junior Certificate grades are more
likely to report the pace of instruction as ‘too fast’, with 41 per cent of
the lowest quintile doing so.
As well as being asked about pace of instruction in general, sixth year
students were asked about the pace of instruction in specific subjects. Students
were more likely to report the pace as ‘about right’ in English than in
other subjects, with 70 per cent doing so. Over a quarter of those taking
Maths and Biology reported the pace of instruction as too fast. In relation
to Irish, students taking higher level Irish were less satisfied with the pace
of instruction than those taking foundation or ordinary level (53 per cent
compared with 67 per cent). Those taking foundation level were most
likely to feel the pace was too fast while a quarter of those taking higher
level found the pace too slow. In contrast, there is no relationship between
level and perceived pace of instruction in English, with the majority of
both ordinary and higher level students finding the pace ‘about right’.
There is no clear-cut relationship for Maths but foundation level students
are more likely to find the pace too fast than other students.
2.4.3 The ‘Mock’ Exams
Normally held during the months of January and February before the
Leaving Certificate exam in June, the ‘Mock’ exams (sometimes called
‘Pres’) are a crucial event in students’ sixth year experience. All but one of
the case-study schools held formal Mock exams, the one exception deciding
not to do so because it represents an ‘erosion of teaching and learning
time’ (Hay Street, staff, coed school, working-class intake). These exams
are used by schools to provide students with an insight into their progress,
and the Mock results often shape student opinion on what subject level to
take for the Leaving Certificate. Staff in Fig Lane described how the results
of the Mocks were not that important in themselves but instead the
exams could be used as a practice run for the Leaving Certificate.
I would see that they would utilize the time as a dress rehearsal for
how they are going to utilize their time in the actual exam. (Fig
Lane, staff, coed school, middle-class intake)
Having Mock exams was felt to ease the pressure and manage the stress
of the impending Leaving Certificate: