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Minister Sherlock wishes students well in Maths and other STEM subject State Exams

The Minister for Research and Innovation, Seán Sherlock T.D., is wishing all Leaving and Junior Certificate students who are sitting their first maths papers today the very best of luck.

The Minister has responsibility for the promotion of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths – the STEM subjects in the Department of Education and Skills.

Most Leaving and Junior Cert students will sit Maths Paper 1 today, with the second Maths paper to be taken on Monday. They will sit papers in the sciences, the technologies and engineering over the next two weeks.

Minister Sherlock welcomed the record levels of students who have signalled that they will sit the higher level maths exams at Leaving Cert. Some 17,000 students, or a third overall, have indicated that they will take the higher level paper, although traditionally some 2,000 students opt on the day to take the ordinary level exam.

“This is the highest number of Leaving Cert students ever who have indicated that they will take higher level maths. This is a clear demonstration that the introduction of a new maths syllabus – which is now complete – and bonus points for maths is working,” said the Minister.

Since 2012, students who score a D3 or above in higher level maths in the Leaving Cert exams are awarded an added 25 CAO points.

Minister Sherlock continued, “Maths and the other STEM subjects are essential building blocks for further study or careers in so many growing sectors such as engineering, ICT, tech and the sciences. I would urge students who have put in the time and hard work into studying higher maths to stay the course today and sit the paper.”

The Minister also paid tribute to the parents, families and teachers of the almost 119,000 students who are currently sitting the state exams.

ENDS