Dáil Éireann - Volume 319 - 25 March, 1980

Written Answers. - Group Certificate Irish Examination.

[512] 208. Mr. Horgan asked the Minister for Education if he will give details of the system used for marking the group certificate examination in Irish, both oral and written.

Minister for Education (Mr. Wilson): Results in the day vocational certificate examinations in the subject Irish, as in other subjects, are shown in the form of grades, each grade representing a percentage range of marks as follows:—

Grade

Percentage Range

A

85 or over

B

70 but less than 85

C

55 but less than 70

D

40 but less than 55

E

25 but less than 40

F

10 but less than 25

No grade

Less than 10.

A certificate is awarded showing the grades obtained in the subjects taken by the candidate.

In Irish one-third of the marks is allotted to one oral test and two-thirds to a written test. A candidate is required to obtain at least 30 per cent in the oral test to qualify for an overall grade of D in the subject or for a higher grade; a candidate who obtains less than 30 per cent in the oral test is not awarded a grade in the subject; irrespective of the marks obtained in the written test.

The detailed instructions to markers of the written test and to the examiners in oral test are confidential.

209. Mr. Horgan asked the Minister for Education the number of persons who underwent the group certificate examination in Irish last year but who were awarded no grade.

Minister for Education (Mr. Wilson): 12,422 candidates sat for the Day Vocational (Group) Certificate Examination in 1979 and, of these, 831 were awarded no grade.