Difficult Leaving Cert maths paper sparks outcry, but grades may not suffer

A mother described a Higher Level Maths paper for the Leaving Certificate as "undoable" and "brutal," saying her daughter was profoundly shocked. This sentiment echoes a recurring outcry over difficult Higher Level Maths papers that some students and parents find unfairly challenging.

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That paper was just undoable, it was brutal, it just didn't make any sense, and my daughter was just so thrown, I think the shock was so profound

However, the State Examinations Commission (SEC) employs a complex standard-setting system to ensure grading consistency over time. This calibration prevents students from gaining an advantage or disadvantage due to the difficulty of a particular year's paper. The SEC considers feedback from candidates, parents, and teachers regarding exam difficulties, which can lead to "the refinement of the draft marking scheme."

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the refinement of the draft marking scheme

While the SEC assures that concerns are considered, the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect educational assessments. The Class of 2026, who experienced significant disruptions in their early secondary school years, are still showing the effects of this. The SEC notes that patterns in results have varied since 2020 due to factors including student engagement and subject level choices, as the education system continues to "settle" post-pandemic.

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broadly follow the same rigorous approach