Exam FOCUS
It’s only November but it’s never too early to prepare for the Leaving Cert Ag Science exam
PART A: PROJECT PLAN The ‘project plan’ explores the areas of the project linked with the text included in this supplement. A more detailed analysis of the project is included in Part B: EXAM AID.
PLANT AND ANIMAL IDENTIFICATION (20MARKS)
20 of the available 100 marks for the practical element of the Ag Science course go towards plant and animal identification. Collecting samples of the plants based on the characteristics listed above and the supporting photographs and documenting the names and the corresponding family, will serve as an excellent revision tool as you complete your project work. Try to include as many different families as you can, and one or two examples from each one. Learning the significance of the plants will also serve as a good aid for revision for the written paper. Familiarise yourself with various breeds of cattle, sheep and pigs and be able to recognise photographs of animals in the various other phyla. FARM EXPERIENCE (35 MARKS)
The farm experience section of the project involves the study of one main farm animal, usually cattle, sheep or pigs, under the main headings of: feeding, housing and disease and disease control. Various aspects of the text in this supplement can be used to support the above headings based on your own farm experience, including diagrams where relevant.
LABORATORY INVESTIGATIONS (45 MARKS)
Laboratory investigations related to the theory outlined in this supplement include the following:
To estimate the number of earthworms in the soil
To show the activity of earthworms in the soil
To show the presence of microorganisms in an animal foodstuff To show the hygienic quality of milk To isolate the bacterium Rhizobium from the root nodules of clover
To investigate the action of a named animal enzyme
To confirm the presence of various biomolecules in various foodstuffs on the farm eg protein in milk, starch in cereal crops
Dissection of a sheep’s heart
PART B: EXAM AID THE EXAM PAPER
The exam is marked out of a total of 400 marks, with two components: the written exam worth 300 marks (75pc) and the practical element commonly referred to as ‘the project’, worth 100 marks (25pc).
The value of such project work cannot be underestimated. Many aspects of the written exam will demand a high level of understanding and ultimately challenge the student from every angle on the day of the exam.
The practical element of the course, however, is designed to offer pupils the opportunity to show case their broader practical knowledge of farming and agriculture, through hands on experience and documentary evidence of same. Securing the 100 available marks will not only ease the pressure for the written paper, but guarantee a better grade, higher points and ultimately take the student one step closer to achieving their goals and dreams.
THE WRITTEN PAPER AN OVERVIEW
The key to success in any subject is gaining a thorough understanding of the main topics in the syllabus and applying this knowledge to exam questions. It is never too early to familiarise yourself with the exam paper itself, which accounts for 75pc (300 marks) of the overall exam.
As the vast majority of pupils undertaking the subject will aim to do higher level initially, we will take a look at the structure of the higher level paper.
A more detailed analysis of the exam papers at both levels including timing and the marking scheme will follow at a later date. Q.1: 10 short questions, answer six Q.2: Soil
Q.3: Two options — miscellaneous topics
Q.4: Four experiments, answer two Q.5: Miscellaneous topics Q.6: Miscellaneous topics Q.7: Genetics
Q.8: Answer two out of three parts — miscellaneous topics Q.9: Scientific explanations
POINTS TO NOTE
There are 10 questions on the paper and you are required to answer six.
All questions carry 48 marks except Q.1 which is worth 60 marks. Thus while it is not compulsory, it is advisable to attempt this question as it is worth an extra 12 marks (3pc). There are 10 parts to the question and you are required to attempt six. However, again it is advisable to attempt all 10 parts and you will be rewarded for the best six. Commonly examined topics in Q.1 include definitions, plant families, location and function of various bodily parts in the animal and classification of animals.
Q The soil question is usually divided into three parts and requires a very good understanding of the topic in order to do well in it. In recent years a soil experiment has been included in this question.
Q The ‘miscellaneous’ topics in the table refer to any aspect of the course including animal husbandry, animal and plant physiology, grassland and crops.
Q Q.3 has two options, of which you answer one. Do not attempt both as marks will only be rewarded for the best one.
Q Q.4 examines the experimental aspect of the subject — there are four experiments/investigations listed and you are required to explain any two. Q Q.7 examines the area of genetics. While some students find this question quite challenging, it generally has a similar format every year which includes definitions, genetic crosses and explanatory notes. So while the content may seem quite difficult initially, once you practice the exam questions from previous years you will improve.
Q Q.9 concentrates on ‘scientific explanations’. Five statements are given, and you are required to explain four from a scientific point of view, with relevance to agriculture where possible. If time allows, it would be advisable to attempt all five and you will be awarded marks for your best four.
2017 HIGHER LEVEL PAPER: REVIEW ANALYSIS
Q.1: A very straightforward Q.1, on which most students would have scored high. A good balance between biology based and agricultural based topics Q.2: Manageable question on soil with an experiment in part c in line with previous years
Q.3: Option 1 — A beef dominated question which would have suited the student on the farm on a regular basis Q.3: Option 2 — Crop production, with a fair balance of root and cereal crop questions alike
Q.4: A good choice of experiments, including a second on soil Q.5: Three different aspects of animal enterprises examined here including dairy, beef and sheep
Q.6: A grass dominated question, including how the ruminant stomach is adapted to digestion of grass
Q.7: Fair question again in line with recent trends with the inclusion of definitions, a genetic cross and aspects of modern applied genetics
Q.8: A good opportunity for students to score well in this question, with a variety of topics included
Q.9: All five parts fair and manageable, with the emphasis on agricultural rather than biological topics
THE PRACTICAL COMPONENT AN OVERVIEW
The practical component of Agricultural Science is common to both higher and ordinary level. It is worth 100 of the 400 marks.
Guidelines from the Department of Education and Science are made available to teachers annually in relation to the allocation of the 100 marks, which changed slightly in 2014.
The 100 marks are allocated as follows: PLANT AND ANIMAL IDENTIFICATION — 20 MARKS SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATIONS — 45 MARKS PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE — 35 MARKS
1. PLANT IDENTIFICATION 10 MARKS
Students are required to demonstrate their ability to:
Identify five common plants related to agriculture — 5 x 1 mark
Name the family to which each of the plants named above, belong — 5 x 1 mark
Although guidelines suggest naming 5 plants and corresponding families, it is important to note that these are guidelines only and it is advisable to familiarise yourself with at least 10-15 plants and their corresponding families.
It is advisable to be able to recognise all of the common plants on the farm including daisy, dandelion, thistle, nettle, gorse, dock leaf, hogweed, ragwort, clover and different varieties of grass. It is also advisable to learn the significance of the plant in agriculture for both the practical and written paper and how to recognise the plant, through actual samples where possible or in the form of photographs, should the plant be difficult to locate (depending on the time of year).
KEY TIP
6th Year: Start a scrapbook and collect samples of the various plants listed above. If the plants are not available in the flowering stage, then collecting the leaves/rosette will suffice.
Write down the name of the plant and the family to which it belongs. As the year progresses, the plants will typically dry out but will remain recognisable and the scrapbook will serve as a useful revision tool.
5 th Year: Start a scrapbook in May and collect the plants as outlined above.
2. ANIMAL IDENTIFICATION 10 MARKS
Students are required to demonstrate their ability to:
Identify four common food producing animals by bodily characteristics specific to their breed — 4 x 1 mark.
Identify six other animals related to agriculture and state their significance on the farm — 6 x 1 mark.
Again, the student should be able to identify a variety of such animals including parasites and soil-borne organisms. In addition, it is useful to learn the importance of such animals
on the farm and the phylum to which each animal belongs as these are commonly examined on the written paper also. 3. SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATIONS 45MARKS Each student is expected to undertake and maintain a written record of all scientific investigations carried out, under the following headings: date, aim, method, diagram, result, discussion and conclusion. The investigations must include the following areas of study:
Animal physiology — 10 marks Plant physiology — 10 marks Soil — 10 marks
Genetics — 5 marks Microbiology — 5 marks Ecology — 5 marks 4. PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE 35 MARKS The farm experience may be based on your own family farm, an ‘adopted’ farm or a series of farm visits and documented as evidence of your farm experience. The documented evidence must include experience of livestock, crops and the layout of the farm. The 35 marks are allocated as follows: Crops — 15 marks Livestock — 10 marks
Farm Layout — 10 marks
Bear in mind the following in relation to your farm experience:
If possible, try to choose a farm that is close by to facilitate easy access, without the need of having to organize transport for every visit.
Evidence of your presence on the farm on a regular basis is important so try to support this with as many relevant photographs as possible.
Any other evidence to suggest your involvement on the farm can be included also for example sample medication packets used for treating different illnesses or for dosing can be included under a section on ‘disease and disease control’.
Prepare to immerse yourself in the life of a farmer as much as possible so discussing the project will not be such a daunting task, having witnessed and understood much of what is included in the project for yourself.
Try to extend your knowledge of agriculture through various publications such as Ag Focus and the Farming Independent and social media.
Above all, look upon the project work as a positive thing – something you may actually really enjoy, while at the same time working towards achieving as many as possible of the 100 available marks.
LOOKING FORWARD
Succeeding in this subject will help you achieve maximum points in order to advance to the career of your choice. In addition, it will allow for endless opportunities in the agricultural sector and numerous career options in a variety of areas including food science, horticulture, environmental science and agriculture.
So how can you optimise their chances of achieving a H1 grade in this subject at higher level?
I caught up with a past pupil, Catherina Cunnane from St. Louis Community School, Kiltimagh, Mayo recently, who was lucky enough to do just that and so I asked her what was the key to her success to which she replied:
“While a good solid background and genuine interest in farming may help achieve the higher grade, it is also very attainable through sheer hard work and determination. Stay focused on theory in the classroom, while at the same time adding to the project gradually, never losing sight of the reward at the end.”