The Leaving Certificate is to become tougher under new plans that will see questions made less predictable.

A report compiled by the Higher Education Authority and the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment highlighted incidences of candidates being able to gain maximum marks by memorising pre-packaged answers and essays.

It also called for the reduction of the current 14-point marking system to eight - A1, A2, B, C, D, E, F and NG - while the college entry procedure is to be overhauled to offer broader degree programmes for first years.

Putting off specialisation until later in third-level studies and cutting the number of grades in the Leaving Certificate will be beneficial to students and reduce the level of competition for places, the report stated.

The Irish Independent noted the current "race for points" leads to a reliance on rote learning and the use of grinds to deliver better results, at the expense of a balanced education.

Recently a report by the Economic and Social Research Institute stated it is important to engage second-level students with their lessons to improve performance, rather than deliver passive lectures.

Written by Donal Walsh
 

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