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Male students are getting better grades in higher level maths

More students have been opting to do the higher level paper in recent years.

shutterstock_411211954 Shutterstock / Syda Productions Shutterstock / Syda Productions / Syda Productions

MORE STUDENTS ARE doing higher level maths for their Leaving Certificate exam.

The State Examinations Commission’s chief examiners’ report found that, from 2011 to 2015, the percentage of people doing higher level increased from 15∙8% to 27∙4%, a rise of over 73%.

More male students are opting to do higher level, and they’re getting higher grades than their female counterparts.

Overall, some 53,570 students sat the maths exam last year.

lc maths five years

The report notes that the increase in the number of candidates taking higher level has been “substantial”, and is often attributed to bonus points being awarded in the CAO system.

However, such a steep change over such a short timeframe necessarily has a very significant impact on the grade distributions that might be expected at the various levels.

“The candidates whose choice of level is least certain are those near the overlap of standards between the levels – they are among the lower achieving candidates at higher level and the higher achieving candidates at ordinary level,” the report states.

lc grades

Over the same five-year period, the ordinary level cohort fell from 72∙1% to 62∙1%, a decrease of almost 14%, while the foundation level cohort has remained relatively constant at just over 10%.

There has been a phased implementation of new mathematics syllabuses at both Junior and Leaving Certificate in recent years, as part of an initiative called Project Maths.

Gender breakdown

The gender breakdown of students doing various levels has been relatively stable over the last five years, with a slightly lower percentage of female than male candidates doing higher level and foundation level, and a higher percentage doing ordinary level.

lc maths male female

A higher percentage of male candidates has achieved A grades and B and C grades over this period. These patterns have been fairly consistent since the introduction of the new syllabus.

gender a1

At ordinary level, female candidates outperformed their male counterparts with respect to A/B/C grades and E/F/NG rates in each of the last five years.

gender ol

At foundation level, male candidates outperformed their female counterparts in 2015 with respect to A/B/C grades and E/F/NG rates. From 2011 to 2014, female candidates outperformed their male counterparts with respect to all grades.

Junior Certificate

From 2011 to 2015, the number of students taking the higher level maths exam for the Junior Cert increased from 45∙6% to 55∙3%, the ordinary level cohort fell from 46∙5% to 38∙8%, while the foundation level figure fell from 7∙9% to 5∙9%.

jc1

At higher level, a higher percentage of male candidates were awarded A grades, while female candidates outperformed their male counterparts at ordinary level. A full grade breakdown can be read on examinations.ie

jc grades

Reports on a number of other subjects, including physics, chemistry and business, were also released today, and can be viewed here.

Read: Irish is considered among the hardest and least interesting subjects in school

Read: This sketch perfectly sums up the struggle of the Irish Leaving Cert oral

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52 Comments
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    Mute Darren Bates
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    Jun 12th 2019, 11:52 AM

    The belle of our city. Rest in Peace Philomena.

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    Mute Russel Steapot
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    Jun 12th 2019, 1:09 PM

    She was such a lady. I spilt a full glass of red wine over her once and she just smiled and tootled off to the loo to wash it off. Not a word of complaint. Of course I was morto and everyone else was like fella do you even know who that is?!? She was so gracious, wouldn’t even let me pay her dry cleaning bill. RIP

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    Mute Aidan Kearney, Wicklow CCRO.Leinsterrugby
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    Jun 12th 2019, 11:54 AM

    What a wonderful woman, with her boy now. RIP

    649
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    Mute Means of escape
    Favourite Means of escape
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    Jun 12th 2019, 9:23 PM

    @Aidan Kearney, Wicklow CCRO.Leinsterrugby: Reminds me of Bruce Springsteen’s mother who also truly believed in her boy .

    Thanks to both

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    Mute tommytukamomo
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    Jun 12th 2019, 12:01 PM

    Rest in peace beautiful Lady.

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    Mute Mjhint
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    Jun 12th 2019, 12:05 PM

    What an amazing woman. Goodnight madame.

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    Mute Jimmy Bolton
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    Jun 12th 2019, 12:08 PM

    An amazing lady. She gave us our finest Rock star. RIP Phylis

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    Mute Yvonne Brock
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    Jun 12th 2019, 12:03 PM

    R I P Philomena

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    Mute Honeybee
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    Jun 12th 2019, 12:25 PM

    @David Gannon: Families are complicated, Phil’s son was adopted at birth and brought up bu loving parents which was not unusual in that time as Phil was a struggling musician and the baby’s mother , a young single lady not in a position to meet the baby’s needs. Do not rush to judgement, Phil’s mam had already known her own hardship raising Phil and sometimes giving a child for adoption is the most unselfish thing. Phil’s son is a gifted artist and successful sculptor in his own right and Phil would be very proud of him, following his success in finding his birth family, he was acknowledged as Phil’s son. This is not the forum,time or place to intrude in to this man’s grief, he has just lost his nan.

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    Mute The Risen
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    Jun 12th 2019, 1:05 PM

    An amazing woman. My brothers were visiting Phils grave and she invited them over to her home for a cup of tea and to see his memorabilia. Such a kind and wonderful person.

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    Mute Tony Gordon
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    Jun 12th 2019, 1:42 PM

    I’ve been a wild wild rover
    Sailed all over the sea
    But this thing that makes me wonder
    Has made a fool of me

    For it took me from my childhood
    Underneath the stars and skies
    And I still hear the wind
    Whistling through the wild wood, whispering goodbye

    It’s home boys home
    She’s home boys home
    No matter
    Where I roam

    If you see my mother
    Please give her all of my love
    For she has a heart of gold there
    As good as God above

    If you see my mother
    Tell her I’m keeping fine
    Tell her that I love her
    And I’ll try and write sometime

    Philomena by Phil Lynott

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    Mute Means of escape
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    Jun 12th 2019, 2:57 PM

    @Tony Gordon: From up on the hill my eyes are filled with the beauty down below
    Need to look no farther than down in the harbor I remember long ago
    Young guys with stars on their eyes I remember it well and the road ends weep and the salty breeze leads me into their spell theirs a boundless ocean in constant motion deep and wide
    Coming going waving and flowing oh sister the moon is its sky
    Oh I can’t be on I can still look upon it soaking in the view and the fishing boats are arrive on safe at Howth and Phil pal so are you

    -Old Pal
    By Brush Shiels(overlooked and underrated classic)

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    Mute Darren Dowling
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    Jun 12th 2019, 12:25 PM

    Legend of a woman. RIP Philomena

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    Mute WoodlandBard
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    Jun 12th 2019, 12:51 PM

    The hidden Thin Lizzy member, rock n’ roll woman, lovely woman. Thanks for keeping Phil alive. RIP.

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    Mute Helena Mulcahy
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    Jun 12th 2019, 12:30 PM

    @Darren Bates: I’m well aware that having children out of wedlock isn’t a taboo any more. Don’t get too hung up on it. My point was that she had two other children and gave both up for adoption. As a mother, I couldn’t imagine how any woman can bring herself to giving up her children not once, but twice!! And I read her book about Phil as well as articles about her on the net, so I know what I’m talking about. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, you don’t have to agree with it!

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    Mute Michael Bardon
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    Jun 12th 2019, 12:54 PM

    @Donnachaín Ní Uallacháin: Very well said who are we to judge

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    Mute Michael Bardon
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    Jun 12th 2019, 12:59 PM

    @Helena Mulcahy: Are you blaming her for having children out of wedlock when no contraception was freely available.

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    Mute tooler doogan
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    Jun 12th 2019, 1:32 PM

    @Helena Mulcahy: jesus i dont think now is the time for that!

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    Mute Liz Gallagher
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    Jun 12th 2019, 1:36 PM

    @Helena Mulcahy: Personally I think the hardest thing a mother can do is decide to give up her baby for adoption, so I think she was really brave to do that, because she was clearly doing it in the best interests of the children. I know because I adopted both of my children and am eternally grateful to their birth parents for giving me the opportunity to raise their children. She seemed like a wonderful woman. May she rest in peace.

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    Mute JC
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    Jun 12th 2019, 1:44 PM

    @Helena Mulcahy: ah you read articles on the net – expert so

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    Mute Sean
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    Jun 12th 2019, 2:29 PM

    @Helena Mulcahy: whether we disagree or agree with you is not relevant. It is simply neither the time nor the place for expressing your opinion I’m afraid. Haven’t you heard that you should never speak ill of the dead because they can’t defend themselves!

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    Mute G.M Lockjoy
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    Jun 12th 2019, 11:32 PM

    @Helena Mulcahy: you’re a witch

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    Mute Oonaghx
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    Jun 13th 2019, 12:45 AM

    @Helena Mulcahy: I totally agree with you, it’s amusing how others have say now is not the time to express opinions, as they express theirs!

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    Mute Gus Sheridan
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    Jun 13th 2019, 7:36 AM

    @Helena Mulcahy: who the hell are you to judge anyone?

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    Mute Michael Ivers
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    Jun 13th 2019, 6:21 PM

    @Helena Mulcahy: you could keep your opinion for a different page ya tit, this is a tribute page to one of the nicest people i ever met, would be sure to leave you in the shadows. dont bother replying to me

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    Mute Barry O Toole
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    Jun 12th 2019, 12:55 PM

    Sad news a lovely lady together again

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    Mute Maro Wright
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    Jun 12th 2019, 12:54 PM

    Rest In Peace

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    Mute ted hagan
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    Jun 12th 2019, 1:26 PM

    A mum in a million with wonderful devotion to son Phil. RIP Philomena.

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    Mute Tom Noctor
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    Jun 12th 2019, 2:23 PM

    A lovely lady. I met her a few times and she was always full of stories about Phil. She’s with him now, may she rest in peace.

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    Mute tooler doogan
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    Jun 12th 2019, 1:29 PM

    Can the so called journalist not call the lady by her full name instead of “Lynott”, very disrespectful, shabby writing but thats the journal.
    RIP Philomena

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    Mute Declan Leonard
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    Jun 12th 2019, 1:32 PM

    Gutted to here this. A truly remarkable woman that gave us one of the most talented irish music hero’s. Had the pleasure of meeting her at the exhibition in Stephen’s green in Phil’s memory. I very interesting woman that took great pleasure in her sons legacy. Rip

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    Mute Seàn Mc
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    Jun 12th 2019, 1:15 PM

    Great woman, may she rest in peace

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    Mute paul kelly
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    Jun 12th 2019, 2:38 PM

    My dad used to drive Phil this his practice sessions when they both lived in cadogan road Fairview and always spoke highly of “Phil’s ma” RIP

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    Mute Martin Fahy
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    Jun 12th 2019, 1:16 PM

    Amazing lady, very sad news

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    Mute Adam Gibson
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    Jun 12th 2019, 1:26 PM

    Back together at last RIP

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    Mute David Corcoran
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    Jun 12th 2019, 4:00 PM

    Very sad to hear of her passing she was a remarkable woman together again with Phil may she rest in peace

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    Mute M
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    Jun 12th 2019, 1:32 PM

    Nice lady. Rip.

    29
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    Mute Jun Stone
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    Jun 12th 2019, 7:04 PM

    My sister dated Philo back in the day, said he was a lovely genuine lad, Dublin back then (80’s)…

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    Mute Alan Biddulph
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    Jun 12th 2019, 2:09 PM

    RIP, great woman.

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    Mute Toon Army
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    Jun 12th 2019, 6:37 PM

    Very sad. What an amazing person. Nearly always showed up at the annual vibe and added her unique warmth.

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    Mute Oonaghx
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    Jun 13th 2019, 12:39 AM

    She had 3 children, each of them named some variation of Philomena, she gave each of them away. They didn’t know about each other until adulthood, by then the brilliant Thin Lizzy front man had passed!

    12
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    Mute Liz Gallagher
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    Jun 13th 2019, 7:34 AM

    @Oonaghx: and? What has this got to do with her passing?

    9
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    Mute Therése Martin Farrell
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    Jun 12th 2019, 2:43 PM

    Lovely lady who I had the pleasure of knowing, rip P x

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    Mute Ian Phillip Creaner
    Favourite Ian Phillip Creaner
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    Jun 12th 2019, 8:15 PM

    Ní bheidh a leithéid ann aríst. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam.

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    Mute Sean Meaney
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    Jun 13th 2019, 9:45 AM

    It’s both heartwarming and heartbreaking to see so many lovely tributes being paid to Philomena on her passing, she touched so many people in so many ways, we all have wonderful stories to tell. It was a great privilege to have known Philomena and shared so many stories which will be passed on for many years. Her commitment to keeping Phil’s legacy alive is both remarkable and courageous. RIP

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    Mute Cat K.
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    Jun 12th 2019, 9:02 PM

    Rip

    9
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    Mute Emmett Currie
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    Jun 12th 2019, 8:09 PM

    RIP

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    Mute Des Decourcy
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    Jun 12th 2019, 6:11 PM

    Rip philomena Lynott

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    Mute Donwon999
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    Jun 12th 2019, 7:10 PM

    Bless

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    Mute Michael Ivers
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    Jun 13th 2019, 6:15 PM

    Very sad to hear of your passing, i had great affection for you.,Had the Honor of meeting you one night some years ago,being a huge Lizzy fan, i’ll always remember it, the conversation, the hug, the kiss, you were a real lady and you did Phil proud in keeping his legacy alive. R.I.P. Philomena, the sun goes down….. again.

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    Mute Staker Wallace
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    Oct 3rd 2023, 6:31 AM

    @:

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    Mute Means of escape
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    Jun 13th 2019, 8:39 PM

    Hetfield not only going to see Lynott sculpture but giving it a less speaks volumes about the high regard of the late star .

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    Mute Brian Higgins
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    Jun 13th 2019, 3:57 PM

    Can also attest to Philomena’s generous nature, inviting my Mom for tea and a look at memorabilia when she visited Phil’s grave.
    Rest easy sweet Lady.

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