Emma Mc Gorman is from Rockcorry, Co. Monaghan. Hailing from a beef farm and member of Newbliss Macra na Feirme, Emma has huge passion for farming. Emma sat her Leaving Cert last year and is now studying nursing. She is an All Ireland lilting champion and recently represented Co. Monaghan in the Bluejean Country Queen competition in Athboy.

"The loud inconsiderate noise of the alarm went off. I remember vividly how a sliver of sunlight peeked through my bedroom window to herald the arrival of yet another exam. As I pulled back the curtains and gazed across at the animals in the field, examining the different breeds and their characteristics.

Then my eyes dropped to the grass, I began reciting the chapter on crop production. I could smell the lovely scent of silage production through the window, as I opened it. I had my flashcards and spider diagrams made from the night before. I found writing things out helped me understand the material better. All I could take was a little sip of tea. Although, I think something stronger would have been better!

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I said a quick prayer to myself before opening the paper, rubbing the sweat from my hands. I looked through every question before putting pen to paper. I picked my favourite six questions and began writing, keeping an eye on the clock. Question one was a nice choice of questions and got me feeling comfortable with the exam.

I looked over my answers for the last time. 12:30 on the 19 June 2014 had arrived. My freedom was handed back!"

Peter Varley is from a beef and sheep farm in Co. Roscommon and loves football! He writes with the Farmers Journal Livestock team and holds an Honours Degree in Agriculture from UCD.

"I remember my Leaving Cert Ag Science exam pretty well even though it's seven years ago at this stage! The days leading up to the exam were agonising because I was locked away in my room listening to the hum of the silage harvester picking up freshly cut grass in tropical conditions. Most of my friends were already finished so it was left to us farmers and farmer wannabes to carry out the very last Leaving Cert exam in 2008.

It was the one exam I wanted to do well in, my older brother got an A1 in it four years previously and wasn’t slow at telling me about how great he was when it came to knowing his monocots from his dicots. I studied hard and probably spent more time on Ag Science than any other subject which in hindsight wasn’t the best idea. I was really happy with how the exam went and was certain I was on my way for an A at least.

A couple of days later I found the exam paper lying on the counter. I had a look back at the questions with an aura of confidence that it went well, when suddenly, an awful internal pain inflicted me, it felt like a mad cow kicked me straight in the chest as I realised I had only answered five questions.

All my hopes of an A were dashed, I was so immersed in the exam and giving long explanative answers that I didn’t realise I hadn’t left myself enough time to answer all six. My advice to you unfortunates sitting the exam on the 18 June is to manage your time and answer ALL the questions! I ended up with a B1 which I was delighted with afterwards, but I still have to listen to my brother, the accountant, slagging me from time to time about his Ag Science superiority."

Don't forget our Q&A on the Ag Science Exam with Hewitt College teachers is taking place this evening from 7 - 8 pm. Click here to get involved in the conversation.