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ALMOST 13,000 STUDENTS are registered to take the higher level maths paper in this year’s Leaving Certificate exams – the highest number in 20 years.
The surge comes a result of a trial scheme which will see 25 bonus CAO points given to all students who achieve a D3 or higher in the paper.
New figures from the State Examinations Commission (SEC) show that 12,900 students are registered for the exam, a jump of 2,465 on last year. Typically, however, the number of sixth years who actually sit the exam drops by about 2,000 as they opt for the ordinary level paper on the day.
Last year, a total of 8,235 students sat the higher level paper – one of the lowest figures ever recorded by the SEC and the lowest level of any other higher-level subject.
There are 36,100 people registered for the ordinary level paper for 2012 and a further 2,669 for the foundation level exam.
Today’s figures include those students enrolled in the new Project Maths, a revised, more problem-solving based syllabus developed by the NCCA over the past four years. It will be rolled out fully in all schools by 2014.
Despite the welcome news that the take-up in honours maths is increasing for the first time in years, it still has the lowest percentages of any Leaving Cert honours subject. At 32.3 per cent last year, it was one of only two subjects to have less than 50 per cent take up. The other subject was Irish.
Students continue to worry that they could fail the subject if they take the higher level exam, making a repeat year likely. In 2011, 4,367 students failed maths at either higher, ordinary or foundation level – the highest failure rate of any subject.
However, of those who do take the exam, a vast majority score very highly. In 2011, more than 80 per cent achieved a C3 or higher – an even better performance than subjects such as English. It also had the highest level of students getting As of the three core subjects (Irish, English, Maths).
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Changing papers on the day? That’s an awful stupid thing to do considering Higher level maths isn’t just ordinary level with added material. They’re two very different curricula altogether.
Changing papers maybe stupid but the stress and pressure can sometimes cause kids to make very silly choices
And in 3 months we will see the highest failure rate of HL Maths in 20 years aswell..
I hope not. People who take higher maths usually do better than they expected.
Highly unlikely considering the amount of money spent on developing the new course
@Sean Martin you haven’t been trying to learn the new course for the past 2 years. The new Paper 2 is like jumping into black hole! Neither teachers or students are sure what format it will take.
@robjones That’s exactly what I mean
I am doing the paper in just over a week also, i agree teachers havent a clue what is going on but i believe the examiners will mark it easier as to suggest that project maths is a success
It doesnt matter how much money they put into their all new project maths bullsh*t, it has only served to over complicate things as they are trying to learn 5th and 6th year maths classes in a differnt method to what they have had for the firest 3 years. There may be some improvement by 2014 but as it standa, the comment above is right, people get no extra points for a fail and that will be the case for many.
absolutely unfair
students should be awarded marks for their work and ability and not according to their subject choice
Good point. But it is all about the economy again. We must have more taking the subject at this level to lead to a higher amount of graduates in Maths and Science, and thereby make us better able to compete for foreign investment – on paper, at least.
Aleo, there is no money in the sciences which is why people dont do science courses! The pay is brutal!
but education should not be ‘all about the economy’. it is not a business. it shouldnt be run like one. it is about far more than business. all students have a right to a full and proper education, not some series of courses tailored to suit the needs of business. if they want to pursue business related courses fair enough. but business should not be the source for core values in education
Changing papers on the day may very well be stupid but the stress and pressure of the points system and having a fail on what at the time you consider the be all of your life can make kids make very silly choices
Bonus points, Project Maths, and the new Irish course were all great Fianna Fáil policies.
Highest number? Seriously? There’s 9 people in my HL Maths class!!! And project maths is horrible!! >.<
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