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A Supplement to THE IRISH TIMES

Tuesday, March 27, 2007 TUESDAY, MARCH 27, 2007

THE IRISH TIMES JUNIOR CERT STUDY GUIDE

LET YOUR PARENTS TAKE UP

With the Junior Cert only 10 weeks away, Brian Mooney tells parents what the exam is all about and what they should expect
WHAT IS THE JUNIOR THEMES AND SUBJECTS CERTIFICATE? COVERED IN THE JUNIOR CERTIFICATE
The programme your son or daughter is in the process of completing, is built around the core themes of language, literature and communication; mathematical studies and applications; science and technology; social, political and environmental education; arts; physical, religious and moral education; and guidance, counselling and pastoral care . Your son or daughter will sit a range of subjects from the following: Irish, English, mathematics, history, geography, Latin, Greek, classical studies, Hebrew studies, French, German, Spanish, Italian, science, technology, home economics, music, art, craft, design, material technology (wood), metalwork, technical graphics, business studies, typewriting, environmental and social studies, civic social and political education and religious education. The Junior Certificate, the state examination taken by students at the end of third year in second-level schools, is only 10 weeks away, with the written examinations starting on Wednesday, June 6th. Students who opted to take the optional oral tests in Irish, French, German, Spanish and Italian will complete this aspect of the examination in April. Those students taking art, craft and design; technology; civic, social and political education; and religious education will currently be finalising their project work, a growing part of both Junior and Leaving Certificate examinations.

WHAT DOES THE JUNIOR CERT SET OUT TO DO?

The aims of the Junior Certificate programme are educationally sound. It sets out to reinforce, and further develop, the knowledge, understanding, attitudes, skills and competencies acquired at primary level. It strives to develop students personal and social confidence, initiative and competence through a broad, well-balanced, general education. It prepares them for the requirements of further programmes of study, of employment or of life outside fulltime education. It contributes to their moral and spiritual development, and develops a tolerance and respect for the values and beliefs of others. Finally, it prepares them for the responsibilities of citizenship in the national context, and in the context of the wider European and global communities.

IS TAKING THE JUNIOR CERT IN 2007 A STRESSFUL EXPERIENCE?

Parents and teachers may underestimate the level of stress and anxiety the students taking the Junior Certificate experience, given their perception of its relative unimportance in the long term, and given that the vast majority of students, will complete the Leaving Certificate programme. From the perception of the 15-yearold, it is the first state examination that they have ever taken. The task of sitting six written examinations in Irish, English, maths, and civic, social and political education, between 9.30am on Wednesday 6th June and 3.30pm on Friday 8th June, is a daunting one. Most students will also have two examinations on each day of the following week.

WHAT HAVE STUDENTS EXPERIENCED IN THE PAST THREE YEARS?

The Junior Certificate programme is based on the curricular principles of breadth and balance, relevance, quality, continuity and progression, and coherence. Now that your son or daughter is in the final months of their programme, they will, in accordance with their abilities and aptitudes, have achieved competence across a range of levels. These include literacy; numeracy; practical skills, including computer literacy; information technology; and spoken language skills, which will allow them to participate as young adults in society. They will have been exposed to a range of experiences in various domains of activity, such as artistic, intellectual, scientific, physical and practical, as well as moral, religious and spiritual. Through a range of subjects, they will have acquired knowledge and supportive guidance in matters of personal health, sexual awareness and relationships. They will also have learned an appreciation of their social, cultural and physical heritage and environment. This syllabus also teaches an understanding and appreciation of the central concepts of citizenship.

HIGHER, ORDINARY OR FOUNDATION LEVEL?

Students, will by now have selected their subjects and the level at which they are taking each one: higher, ordinary or foundation.

Unlike in the Leaving Certificate, students will not be allowed to change their mind on the day of the examination, regarding the level of paper they wish to take. Some parents or students see this as unfair. However, this policy is in place so that 15-year-old children should not have to deal with the stress of lastminute panic attacks, as the invigilator approaches them with the examination paper. If however, following receipt of your childs mock results, you wish to support a change of level for your son or

Parents may underestimate the level of stress the students taking the Junior Certificate experience

daughter in any subject, it would be essential that this wish be communicated to the school principal.

STAYING HEALTHY AS THE PRESSURE BUILDS

As in all examinations, parents should ensure that their children preparing for the Junior Certificate maintain a balanced lifestyle. Maintaining a good diet, exercise, sleeping pattern and resisting the temptation to allow their child to study late into the night, is very important. Giving up sleep, to study late, is usually counterproductive. Given their childs inexperience in taking formal exams, parents should ensure that they are aware of the times of each examination. It is a good idea to put up a list of exam times during the exam weeks, to prevent anyone forgetting times. This