1. Construction Studies Practical Test

2. Information in the public domain
Key points based on experience.
Syllabus.
Skills required by students.
Essential elements of any approach to teaching for practical skills test.
Chief Examiner’s Report 2009.
Past Examination Papers.
Marking Schemes.
So why

3. Syllabus
Syllabus, Skills, Planning, Chief Examiner’s Report, Exam Papers, Marking Scheme

4. What Techniques and Skills?
Syllabus, Skills, Planning, Chief Examiner’s Report, Exam Papers, Marking Scheme
1.Marking out:
Proper use of :
Indexing of pieces.
Face side and edge.
Try square and rule.
Gauges.
Sliding bevel.
Templates.
Thumb gauge.
Marking Knife.
Etc.
Key Points:
Accuracy
Indexing.
Efficiency in use of marking gauge, etc.
Marking Knife.

5. What Techniques and Skills?
Syllabus, Skills, Planning, Chief Examiner’s Report, Exam Papers, Marking Scheme
2.Sawing:
To include:
Across the grain.
Vertical sawing / Sawing with the grain.
Sawing a sloped line.
Key Points:
Saw to the line.
Keep sloped lines vertical when
sawing, e.g. dovetails.
Use of marking knife.

6. What Techniques and Skills?
Syllabus, Skills, Planning, Chief Examiner’s Report, Exam Papers, Marking Scheme
3.Chiselling:
Across the grain.
With the grain.
Vertical paring.
Mortising.
End Grain.
Key Points:
Skill level required to carry
out tasks below.

7. What Techniques and Skills?
Syllabus, Skills, Planning, Chief Examiner’s Report, Exam Papers, Marking Scheme
4.Shaping:
Planing.
Coping saw.
Spokeshave.
Chiselling.
Key Points:
Most edges need to be sawn
and finished with a plane
or spokeshave.
Planing end grain.
No sand paper.
Shaping long edges.

8. What Techniques and Skills?
Syllabus, Skills, Planning, Chief Examiner’s Report, Exam Papers, Marking Scheme
5.Drilling and Assembly:
Ability to drill accurately and without damaging pieces.
Knowledge of joint and frame assembly.
Pilot holes and countersinking.
What is the correct order to assemble this frame?
Key Points:
Consider how to assemble
frames etc before beginning.
Keep the number of times
you assemble any part to
a minimum.

9. What Techniques and Skills?
Syllabus, Skills, Planning, Chief Examiner’s Report, Exam Papers, Marking Scheme
6.Drawing Interpretation:
Ability to extract information from given drawings.
7.Managing Multi piece projects:
Importance of systematic approach to marking out and processing.
Key points:
Indexing and bench layout.
Use all drawings to extract
information, especially
exploded drawings.

10. Skill / Techniques Summary
Syllabus, Skills, Planning, Chief Examiner,s Report, Exam Papers, Marking Scheme
Skills Summary:
1.Marking out.
2.Sawing.
3.Chiselling.
4. Shaping.
5.Drilling and Assembly.
6.Drawing Interpretation.
7.Managing multi piece projects.
Key Points Summary:
Systematic approach.
Accuracy.
Efficient use of time.
Marking knife.
High level of skills.
Shaping, saw/ plane edges.
Drawing interpretation.
Ability to apply existing
skills to new situations.

11. Planning
Syllabus, Skills, Planning, Chief Examiner’s Report, Exam Papers, Marking Scheme
Issues to be considered
Time allocation (25% of the marks).
Have students studied MTW or TG at Junior Certificate.
Literacy and Numeracy.
Mixed ability classes.
Students with special needs.
Gender balance.

12. Essential elements of any plan
Syllabus, Skills, Planning, Chief Examiner’s Report, Exam Papers, Marking Scheme
1.Start with simple exercises which give students the opportunity to acquire skills previously outlined.
2. Extensive knowledge of woodworking joints is essential, eg:
Halving joints
Housing joints
Bridle joints
Mortise and tenon joints
Dovetail joints
3.Practice with multi piece projects (systematic approach).
4. Economy of time and energy while working on multi piece projects needs to be practiced.
5.Ability to interpret drawings and apply skills to unforeseen situations to be reinforced.
6. Time management is essential for students and teachers.

13. Chief Examiners Report 2009
Syllabus, Skills, Planning, Chief Examiner’s Report, Exam Papers, Marking Scheme
5.6 Recommendations for Teachers and Students. It is recommended that teachers:
•ensure that an adequate time allocation is made available for teaching the skills associated with the Practical Skills Test .
• importance of completing the marking out of all pieces prior to processing
• remind students not to use non-prescribed machinery during the examination
• ensure that students have only the materials specified in the cutting list
• ensure that all students have prepared the necessary templates
• inform students .. that they must hand up the examination paper to the superintendent at the end of the examination.
Students
• process the marking out of all the pieces as one sequence of operations at the beginning, and check the marking out for accuracy prior to commencing the processing

14. Practical Test 2009
Syllabus, Skills, Planning, Chief Examiner’s Report, Exam Papers, Marking Scheme
Task: List the most effective approach to marking out the following Exam Paper

15. Approach to Practical Exam
Syllabus, Skills, Planning, Chief Examiner’s Report, Exam Papers, Marking Scheme
Index pieces and mark face side and edge on drawing.
Transfer indexing and face side and edge marks to pieces.
Set pieces as per drawing at corner of bench
Mark all pieces to length.
Mark out position of each joint.
Look for joints that are the same and mark these together.
Finish marking all joints.
Mark all shaping.
Mark design element.
Check marking out of frame etc.
NO PROCESSING UNTIL MARKING OUT IS FINISHED
Start at one corner and process one joint at a time.
Keep the number of times you assemble pieces to a minimum .
Process shaping and design element.
Assemble and mark exam number on each piece.

16. Marking Scheme 2009
Syllabus, Skills, Planning, Chief Examiner’s Report, Exam Papers, Marking Scheme
Topic
Marks %
Overall Assembly 22
14.6%
Marking Out 44
29.4%
Processing 84
56%
Total
150
100%
Key Points:
Overall assembly: 22 Marks – 12 marks for design and drilling
10 marks for actual assembly.
Almost 30% of total marks are awarded for marking out.
Candidates tend not to complete the design element.
In order to achieve a high grade ensure that all processes are completed.