Vol. 492 No. 7
86 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Education and Science the comments and suggestions, if any, the 1997 examiners made in relation to leaving certificate physics, chemistry, biology, high and ordinary levels; the suggestions implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14992/98]
Examiners make a valuable contribution in the further development of the draft marking scheme both at the marking conference and during the early stages of the marking process leading to the refinement, if any, of the marking scheme before its application to the work of all candidates.
At the end of the marking process each examiner submits a comprehensive report on the answering of the candidates to the chief advising examiner who prepares a composite report for the chief examiner. The chief examiners prepare an annual report for each of those subjects at both levels. Appropriate comments in relation to the answering of questions, format, style and type of questions are given full attention by the chief examiners in the preparation of papers in subsequent years.
As part of its periodic review of examinations for given syllabi, the National Council for Curriculum and Examinations is made aware of comments and suggestions made by examiners in their reports which might have a policy implication.
The chief examiner prepares a report for publication usually on a triennial basis. Reports were prepared for physics and biology in 1995 and chemistry in 1996. Reports will be prepared for publication on the examinations in chemistry and in physics in 1998.
