Examwatch 2024 sees positive feedback for this year’s higher-level accounting exam, which students found to be fair and consistent with previous years’ papers, according to educators. John Taylor from the Institute of Education indicated that the fairness of the paper was largely due to its alignment with historical trends, suggesting that prepared students who used their time efficiently will be content with their performance.
The subject’s practical nature means that a good exam should allow students to dedicate themselves to the work without unnecessary obstacles or ambiguity. Consistent patterns were observed as in prior years. All elements have made an appearance in one form or another.
Eamon Scully, a representative from The Association of Secondary Teachers, Ireland (ASTI) and an educator at the Maria Immaculata Community College in Dunmanway, County Cork, also praised the paper for its fairness. He asserted that students who practised diligently had an adequate opportunity to finish the exam within the allocated time.
Scully pointed out that, despite most questions being well-received, there were some exceptions. Questions on account interpretation and suspense accounts were challenging. Furthermore, students were required to respond to two out of three questions concerning account interpretation, suspense accounts and cash flow.
According to Mr Taylor, the three extra credit questions centred around published accounts, farm accounts, and depreciation were well within students’ expectations, offering no big surprises and not consuming an undue amount of exam time. He also noted the attractive theory component of the farm accounts question that asked students to incorporate energy savings into their financial analysis of a proposal to install solar panels.
Mr. Taylor noted that certain sections, such as part of question eight concerning flexible budgets and stock evaluation, might have been challenging for candidates. Furthermore, the mention of “variance analysis” in question nine’s theory section might have been slightly difficult for some students.
For the ordinary level paper, Mr. Scully’s observations were favourable, stating that it was satisfactory and if learners were prepared, they would have found it quite pleasing. Meanwhile, Mr. Taylor commented on the ongoing appraisal of the new accountancy syllabus. Despite it being a preliminary phase, he expressed his wish to maintain consistency between the junior cycle business studies and the senior cycle accountancy studies, ensuring that the disparity amongst the papers is minimise.