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<p>Today, the final exam at the end of Secondary School is the main gateway to further education, training, and jobs in Ireland. With an enhanced level of completion, the importance of this exam has come sharply into focus. The emphasis is now swaying towards continuous assessment; you, as a student, have an opportunity to develop, enhance and show off your skills during the year and work done will be aggregated towards your final mark. I am sure you would prefer to have some marks in the bag heading into the final exam as opposed to having all the emphasis on one day, similar to what is currently happening in subjects like History, Construction Studies and Geography for example. Spreading the risk is wise, especially as things can go wrong on the day; you could be unlucky with your paper, have a personal problem, or even feel unwell. </p><p>While a model of continuous assessment is welcomed, I feel that the terminal exam is, and will continue to be, the fairest and most efficient way to differentiate students in preparation for third level education. The brilliant thing about the Leaving Certificate final exam is that everyone is on the one level playing field. The standard of integrity of the State Exams Commission (SEC) is extremely high, therefore grades achieved by students are genuine and earned. I have always been fascinated with how students prepare, cope with, react to and write final exams. I am intrigued how we, as teachers and parents, can help you improve your knowledge and develop your skills to help you achieve better results. </p><p>Every year a new group of enthusiastic students arrive into sixth year thinking "How Can I ACE the Leaving Cert?" This book focuses on providing essential advice and techniques that will help you do exactly that. It will discuss studying in the most efficient way, preparing for your mocks, the final lead up, just before the exams, the exam hall itself, and of course, writing the paper. This book will also give an insight