1. St Joseph’s College Junior Certificate/Cycle 2018
Information Evening for Parents
Thursday 19th October 2017

2. Purpose of Evening Overview of JC Exam Requirements
Practical components
Exam preparation
Revising

3. Subjects Examined All subjects will be examined except PE & SPHE
English*, Maths, Science
Irish, Religion
History, Geography, CSPE
French, German, Italian, Spanish
Music, Art, Home Economics, Business
Most students taking 11 subjects

4. Subject Levels
Irish & Maths have different examination papers at three levels.
Higher
Ordinary
Foundation

5. Subject Levels All other subjects have two levels Higher & Ordinary
…..Except CSPE - Common Paper

6. Which Level for my Daughter?
Aim high!
Advice of teachers
Previous reports
Implications for Senior Cycle

7. Percentage Range Grade
85 or over A
70 – 84 B
55 – 69 C
40 – 54 D
25 – 39 E
10 – 24 F
Less than 10 No Grade
*Different for English

8. Exam Entry SEC sends form to school Pupils confirm subjects & levels
Forms returned to SEC end March
Junior Certificate pupils are not permitted to change levels after this
They should not change on the day of the exam.

9. Examination Fees SEC sets exam fee each year
Fee – €109 approximately (not decided yet by SEC)
Medical Card - no fee but form must be returned
Bank giro form
Pay in bank & return stamped form to school
Mock Fees - €140. Parents pay €90

10. When is the exam? Wednesday 6th June 2018 Timetable not yet issued
Will be sent in the Post to you from school
Results issue on 2nd Wednesday in September

11. Practical Elements
Science
Home Economics
Art
Music
Religion
CSPE

12. SCIENCE 2 Experiments/Investigations 25%
This is done in school over six weeks
30 Mandatory experiments 10%
Done over three years in school
Students & teachers keep record
Teacher must sign off on them

13. Science Exam booklet written up in Hall in April
Report on the two investigations
Written Exam in June 65%

14. HOME ECONOMICS Cookery Practical Exam April ~ 35% H 45% O
Craftwork or Childcare Project
Done in 3rd Year %
Written Exam 50% H 40% O

15. Craft Project Make a craft item e.g. cushion
Produce a folder outlining the process in designing & producing the final piece

16. Cookery Exam 90 min exam in March Task given two weeks in advance
Practise at home and in class
Do task on the day
External examiner

17. ART
Project - 75%
Drawing Exam - 25%

18. Project Project – 8 items Start early October Finish early May
Research and sketching to be done at home each week
Deadlines – please note
Level decided at Christmas

19. ART PROJECT DEADLINES Deadline 1: December 2017 (25%)
Ms Garvey – Painting/Graphic Design
Ms Lynch – 3D
Deadline 2: March 2018 (25%)
Ms Garvey – 3D
Ms Lynch – Painting/Graphic Design
Deadline 3: Early May 2018 (25%)
Completed Option & Prep Sheet

20. Drawing Exam May Still Life - 1 hour
Choose on object from exam paper week before
Life drawing – 1 ½ hours
Draw a seated model – details given in advance

21. MUSIC Practical exam after Easter Higher Level 25% Ordinary Level 20%
Higher level students prepare 4 pieces
Ordinary level prepare 2 pieces
Written paper in June – Listening and composing

22. RELIGION
Religion Journal 20%
Written Exam in June 80%

23. Journal 20% List of topics sent to schools
Reflections, observations etc
Pupils write it, teachers correct and comment
Must be pupil’s own work
In May written into official journal

24. CSPE
Written exam in June 40%
Action Project 60%

25. Action Project 60% Usually done in 2nd Year/3rd Year
Special Olympics, Anti Litter Day, Visit Dail, Volunteering etc
Report on Action Project (RAP)
Teacher advises on draft work
In April RAP is completed in school

26. Tracking progress.. Reflecting on My Progress Booklets
School journal – section to write in grades
Term report
Mock exams – 29th January to 9th February
Parent Teacher Meeting – 18th December

27. On Wednesday 6th June…. Check timetable Be on time, allow for traffic
Materials - Maths set, pens, pencils
Lunch
JC students not allowed leave during lunch unless a parent collects

28. Homework Vs Re -Vision
88% of material is gone after 6 weeks if not revised
Revision checklist for each subject
Use exam paper structure
Revision - weekly basis
Time for revision = amount of marks
Testing memory & practising skills
Revision session should have specific goals

29. Different subjects call for different styles of studying
Maths – spend time doing calculations
History – read text, make mind map, test yourself
Maths – spend time solving the problem
History – read the text, make out questions, test yourself
Different subjects call for different styles of studying

30. Identify Sources of Help
Teacher of a subject
Maths help desk
Reliable friend who understands the subject well
Siblings/family members
Learning support
Online study tools e.g. Study planners, video and audio resources, flashcards, study quizzes

31. Use Examination Papers
Know exam papers for each subject very well
Know marking schemes very well –
Note trends and patterns in questions/topics
Link revision to past exam paper questions
Timed testing

32. How can I help my daughter…
Time table for study
Set goals with your daughter e.g. grades for Term Exam/mocks. Pin it up!
Dedicated study space at home
Supervised study/Easter study
Attendance at school

33. Junior Cycle English
A dual approach to assessment, involving classroom-based assessment across the three years and a final externally- assessed, state-certified examination enables the appropriate balance between preparing students for examinations and also facilitating creative thinking, engaged learning and better outcomes for students. (jct.ie)

34. Overview of Assessment
Classroom Based Assessment (CBA) - corrected by teacher
Assessment Task + Final Assessment - corrected by State Examinations Commission

35. CBA Grades Exceptional Above Expectations In Line with Expectations
Yet to Meet Expectations
**Features of Quality set by SEC

36. CBA Correction Process
Two CBA’s to be completed
Completed in class
Corrected by teacher
Marking process
All English teachers select work from students that reflects different features of quality
Teachers meet at a SLAR (Subject Learning and Assessment Review)
Teachers then correct students work
Result recorded on Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement

37. SEC Assessment Two Components:
1. Assessment Task completed in class (Dec). 10% of SEC grade.
2. Final Assessment in June % of SEC grade.
Junior Cycle Results
% Grade Descriptor
Distinction
Higher Merit
Merit
Achieved
Partially Achieved
0-19 Not Graded