A new report commissioned by the Department of Education has found little evidence to support the widely-held belief that some Leaving Cert subjects are marked more severely than others, Seán Flynn, Education Editor.
The report, ordered by the Minister for Education, Mr Dempsey,also contradicts the assumption that students who take science subjects - physics, chemistry and biology - are marked more severely.
The report does confirm significant variations between the marks awarded in each subject. But, in broad terms, it says this reflects the aptitude of the students rather than any conspiracy by examiners.
It points out, for example, how students who select subjects like art and music tend to receive higher grades than students who must take subjects like Irish and maths.
The report, which reviewed Leaving Cert grades over the past decade, found the exam was less difficult in recent years. The number of high grades has increased significantly. It says better teacher training and revised, clearer courses may be responsible for this "grade inflation".
The report's findings make it unlikely that there will be any major shift in the pattern of Leaving Cert marks.
It rules out an alternative system where a particular percentage of students are awarded preordained grades in each subject. This would lead to "robotic" marking, according to one senior Department of Education official.
The report does confirm the view that it is much easier to achieve high grades at higher or honours level than at ordinary or pass level across a range of subjects.
At higher level, the report found that average grades tended to be higher in construction studies, technical drawing, art, geography, home economics and business organisation. Conversely, students who took chemistry, physics, French, German, Irish and accounting tended to receive lower grades in these subjects.
At a press briefing, Mr Tom Kellaghan and Mr David Millar, of the Education Research Centre, Dublin, who produced the report, said they would not conclude that some subjects were "easier" or "harder" than others.
While fewer students might gain honours (Grade C or better) in various subjects, it was also the case that the number gaining very high grades in subjects like maths, physics and chemistry was higher than in other subjects.
Last night, Mr Dempsey said he had asked the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment to give a detailed response to the report.