1. CHIEF EXAMINERS REPORTS How to get the best of them

2.  https://www.examinations.ie/?l=en&mc=en&sc=cr https://www.examinations.ie/?l=en&mc=en&sc=cr  Published every three or so years  Most important part is “recommendations for students”

3.  While students should learn and be able to recall key facts, laws and definitions accurately, understanding is essential to being able to engage fully with most questions.  Study time should be devoted to the key syllabus topics that underpin the subject, namely, atomic structure, the structure and trends in the periodic table and bonding. Focusing on links between key facts in teaching and in study will help organise knowledge and enhance understanding. Students should practise writing explanations of complex concepts in their own words.

4. ENGLISH  ENGLISH: “Adopting a process approach to writing, whereby students learn to research, plan, draft, re-draft and edit their writing (as laid out in the Leaving Certificate Syllabus, English, para. 3.4.1) would be of significant benefit to all students of Leaving Certificate English”.  Where candidates are required to write letters in answer to questions, greater attention should be paid to the inclusion of appropriate rubrics.

5. FRENCH  French  French: be very aware of the significance of words such as: Citez, Relevez, Trouvez, Phrase, Expression, Mot, Élément, as used in Reading Comprehension questions.  try to read some French short stories or even a short novel as preparation for the Reading Comprehension, rather than relying solely on past papers

6. MARKING SCHEMES  LC English - Paper II 2015 Indicative material: - explores the human condition – possibilities/inevitabilities/tragedies/simple pleasures - accessibility of colloquial language/conversational tone/aphorisms/narrative approach - engaging/evocative imagery/rich symbolism/sensuous detail all add appeal - profound ideas – transience, fellowship, alienation – expressed in a homely/rural style - elegant plainness of expression/natural speech rhythms have universal significance Etc.