More than 100,000 students are sitting State exams today. Leaving Cert: Irish paper 2 (9.30-12.35pm), biology (2-5pm). Junior Cycle: graphics (9.30-11.30am), French (1.30-3.30pm).

Students Joel Yuksel, Evan Saunders, and Markuss Ivanovs review their Irish paper two exam at Marian College, Ballsbridge. The early reaction to Leaving Cert Irish paper two (higher level) is positive. Irish teachers feel students will be happy with the questions asked. The comprehension, prose, poetry, and Litríocht Breise sections were well-received. Students had a variety of poems and prose to choose from, making the exam approachable and manageable.

At the ordinary level, the paper was student-friendly and covered the basics well. The reading comprehensions, prose, and poetry sections provided students with opportunities to demonstrate their knowledge successfully. Overall, students are expected to be pleased with the exam.

Oliver Callan shared his memorable Leaving Cert experience, highlighting a unique and challenging situation during the exams. In Malta, more than 100 students are sitting the Leaving Cert in 30-degree heat, thanks to an arrangement with the International School of the Martyrs in Tripoli.