Good luck to all Irish students starting Leaving Cert and Junior Cert examinations tomorrow. #leavingcert #juniorcert #Ireland

New Tutor Applications

We have a large number of new tutors registering at the moment. We are currently processing these applications and checking credentials, referees etc. In addition, each new tutor has to be assigned their own unique secure online meeting room. Please note this process may take a few days.

Happy Christmas

Happy Christmas and thanks for all the support and good wishes over the year. We’re using the seasonal lull to build enhanced features for our online meeting rooms. More details in the new year….

View what tutors are online now on the homepage

Now you can view what tutors are online now on the 24-7tutorials.com homepage

Mixed reactions to Maths paper 1

There will rarely be consensus on Maths papers and today was no exception with mixed reactions from ordinary level students. ‘It was a good paper. The people that wanted to scrape the pass it was there for them’, ‘it was way harder than I thought it would be’, ‘Some little parts in questions got me. But overall I was really happy with how it went’. One ordinary level student remarked:  ‘Be glad we don't do honours, that thread is in meltdown!!’
The thread was in ‘meltdown’ indeed with a more or less unanimous verdict among higher level students online that the paper was very difficult. Comments included ‘the worst paper I have ever seen’, ‘disgusting’, ‘horrible’ ‘and ‘Oh thank god, I'm not the only one who thought it was evil.’ One student asked ‘They will have to mark it easier though? Like they can’t fail the whole country!’ ‘There is always paper 2’ suggested another. …

Last minute Leaving Cert English

Focus on Paper 2. Sketch out rough plans with a brief introduction, 3-5 points and a conclusion for each question. Support each point you make with a quote or reference
Stand alone text
Write short summary notes/plans on main themes, characters and relationships
Comparative texts
Higher level 2011: Theme or Issue/ General Vision and Viewpoint/ Cultural Context
Ordinary level 2011: Relationships / Theme / Social Setting
Do not plan your answer using sub headings with the title of the texts at the top. Use points of comparison/contrast between texts for each paragraph.
Poetry
(Higher level) Sketch out rough plans on main themes and features of style for 4/5 of the poets depending on the time you have available.
(Ordinary level) test yourself on the theme, tone, genre and language used for as many poems as possible

Exam Time Management

Mismanaging your time within an exam can easily cost you a full grade. Attempt all questions. Sketch out an approximate time plan in advance e.g. 3 hour exam and 4 questions: Q1 9.30-10.15 Q2 10.15-11am Q3 11-11.45 am Q4 11.45-12.30
It is much easier to get the first 20% of the marks for any question than the last 5%. If you find yourself stuck for time on question 3, don’t waste anymore time perfecting the answer, move onto question 4. It is better to attempt the final question in points form rather than leave it out altogether. If you have answered only three questions instead of four, the highest mark you can get is 75%.

Use past exam papers

Use past exam papers when you are revising. Don’t wait until the exam itself to familiarise yourself with the general layout of the paper, compulsory questions, options and marks allocated for each section
Check previous questions on a subject topic. Note any trends in the questions asked   Draft short plans for important and recurring questions.
You can also check out the marking schemes for past papers e.g. Higher Level English the percentage of marks awarded for clarity of purpose (30%), coherence of delivery (30%), efficiency of language (30%) and accuracy of mechanics (10%)
Past exam papers and marking schemes are available on www.examinations.ie

Exam Revision -Eating the Elephant

Eat the elephant –one bite at a time. Now is the time to start breaking up the long task of revising into smaller bits. Each subject can be broken down into sections and topics. Use these lists to make ‘revision checklists’ for each subject. Use past exam papers to prioritise. Tick off topics you know well/have already revised and topics that require extra attention. Now you will be able to watch your progress over the next few weeks.

No Easter Holidays for 24-7tutorials.com

Online tutors are available to help students revise over the Easter holidays. No need to travel and personal one-to-one tuition for your own individual needs.

Communicate online in real time

Economists, politicians and university lecturers use Online Meeting Rooms and webinars to communicate. 24-7tutorials.com also use OMR but to protect the privacy of students and tutors, we use audio conferencing and text only.