Leaving Cert: Teacher analyses 'well-rounded' Maths Paper One
Kenneth Fox
A teacher has given his initial reaction to Leaving Cert Maths paper one, which students completed on Friday.
“Overall, the 2025 Leaving Cert Higher level Maths Paper 1 was quite nice for students, however, many may agree that the tone of Section B felt different to other years,” said Studyclix subject expert Stephen Begley, Head of Maths at Dundalk Grammar School.
“It was more prompted and scaffolded than usual and did not appear as dense as it has in the past.
"While the short questions were rather delightful in ways, the long questions were a little light feeling in parts and were heavily scaffolded.
"Beneficial in ways, the examiner was generous throughout in pointing out what methods and techniques students should use to approach a question, for example by indicating to use a certain formula or technique.
“While it was not without challenge, this made for a rather sound HL Maths Paper which presented a decent set of questions that harnessed an essence of fairness and accessibility, and indeed challenge.
"The short questions saw the usual suspects of Algebra, Calculus, Complex Numbers and Functions, while the long questions focused on Arithmetic and Algebra, Calculus and Functions, and a considerable amount of Sequences and Series with a sneaky Induction proof to finish off the paper.
“Overall, it was a well-rounded paper covering many main areas at LC HL. Notably, Financial Maths and Area and Volume were absent from the paper, so don’t rule these out of the game in Paper 2 on Monday. Additionally, Trigonometric Functions didn’t appear so glace over them this weekend
“It is important for students to of the advantage the choice provided by Covid amendments gives students by only having to answer 5 of the 6 and 3 of the 4 long questions and so they could have played to their strengths in this paper."
LC Maths Paper 1 (Ordinary)
Stephen Begley said: “A fair paper spanning the usual suspects of Financial Maths, Complex Numbers, Algebra, Calculus, Functions, Patterns and Area.
"While parts were certainly not without challenge, the short questions in Section A were quite nice and students could play to their strengths answering any 5 of the 6. Those who prepared using past papers would have benefitted from the familiarity of question styles from years gone by.
The long questions in Section B had students answer any 3 of the 4. The topics covered here were Functions, Differentiation, Financial Maths, Number Patterns, and Area. Topic wise it followed suit with previous exams and students were well prompted and guided in parts.
"Overall, a good start to the ordinary level maths exams and all eyes will be on the Paper 2 on Monday which I advise students to take a look at their Statistics, Trigonometry, Coordinate Geometry of the Line and Circle and Probability over the weekend as these are always the main players," he said.
LC Foundation Level
“The Foundation Level paper was well rounded for students as it spanned all topics on the course; Arithmetic, Statistics, Probability, Financial Maths, Geometry, Patterns, Coordinate Geometry and Distance, Speed and Time
"The questions were well balanced and well prompted to guide students through an exam busy with various topics.
"Students would have been pleased with a number of tables, graphs and charts to work with throughout, given their heavy feature within the course," he said.
Junior Cert Maths (Higher)
Stephen Begley said: “This year’s paper saw a balanced yet busy higher-level paper spanning all major topics on the course, though as usual, it wasn’t without its challenges.
"There was a good mix of topics assessed; arithmetic, pattens, statistics, coordinate geometry, geometry, area and volume, trigonometry, with the later questions were heavy with functions and algebra.
"The opening three questions would have been a delight for students and certainly would’ve eased some nerves on basic percentages and patterns.
“Some nice algebra questions on long division, simultaneous equations and a quadratic equation emerged throughout the tail end of the paper, and a familiar area and algebra cross over in Question 13 closed the exam.
“Notably absent from the paper were questions relating to Pythagoras’
"Theorem, Number Systems and Indices. All eyes will be on the marking scheme to see how the updated grade descriptors will be awarded and that those mathematicians deserving of a top grade will be awarded such, given that a distinction grade has now been broadened to 85-100 perc cent, a higher merit from 70-85 per cent and a merit from 55-70 per cent.”
Junior Cert Maths (Ordinary)
Finally, Stephen Begley said: “The Junior Cycle Ordinary Level Maths paper was a very accessible, well presented, and well represented exam. Students were put through the paces on their knowledge of the entire course with essentially all topics appearing; Arithmetic, Financial Maths, Statistics, Area and Volume, Sets, Algebra, Graphs (Distance, Speed & Time), Coordinate Geometry, and Trigonometry.
"No topic overly dominated and questions were well presented with some pleasing visuals to aid contexts. Overall, students would have found this to be a fair Junior Cycle exam. Notably, Geometry and Functions were absent from the paper.”
