Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA) students sat their last exams yesterday. Again this year, this group of students has been the least pressured of those sitting Leaving Cert exams.

Unlike their counterparts who sat the traditional Leaving Certificate papers, the 2,450 students who had registered for the LCA exams took their places secure in the knowledge that they already had a considerable number of marks under their belts. The written LCA exams account for only one-third of their total marks.

Yesterday's leisure studies paper was fair but challenging, according to Ms Patricia Brodigan, of Colaiste Dhulaig, Dublin. "It was more difficult than last year, but students were offered a good choice of questions." The questions on aquatics were particularly searching, Ms Brodigan noted.

The leisure studies questions afforded students plenty of opportunity. Questions covered safety in leisure centres and sports complexes, the maintenance and storage of equipment and safety guidelines for people participating in outdoor and indoor education.

Leisure studies "is a lovely subject", Ms Brodigan said; she wished more people would take it up. Students did not have to be great athletes in order to do well.

The afternoon's 90-minute paper in craft and design was the last of the LCA written exams.

Sample question

LCA craft and design

Section 2 Graphic communication and print media

Package design plays a major role in the way it can influence teenagers in what they buy. Choose two of the products listed below and discuss this statement.

Breakfast cereal bars, hair styling gel, shower gel, hair colour highlights, soft drinks.