Effort isn't the problem. Something else is costing them the points.
Third level entry in Ireland is genuinely competitive, and the margin for error is small. Every parent has watched a child put in real hours without the grades fully reflecting it. Is it exam nerves, technique, planning, or something else entirely? Generic advice like "study more" cannot answer that question. This assessment is built to.
Here is what happens. Your child answers 80 questions in around 12 minutes. Enda O'Doherty reviews the results by hand, not a computer, and returns a full written report showing exactly where the gap is, along with a plan to close it.
Buy Now, €249Effort and results do not always match, and that gap has a cause.
Research from the ESRI and clinical studies is consistent: under exam pressure, a well prepared student can still blank on the day. The effort is real. The result does not always reflect it.
This instrument evaluates the areas that actually determine outcomes: not just knowledge, but the working habits underneath it.
The difficulties rarely show up as a single, obvious cause.
Long hours of study with no clear plan, everything left until the last minute. Knowing the material, then blanking under exam pressure. Hours of study that do not translate into remembering it later. Anxiety around exams and results. A fear of failure that gets in the way as much as any lack of ability. Motivation that dips, especially with a subject your child finds difficult. A student quietly opting out, disengaging rather than asking for help. Long hours with little balance, and a real risk of burnout.
A structured process, not an instant result.
What you actually get from doing this.
Built by someone who has done this for thirty five years.
Hear from parents who have used the assessment.
“I knew he was putting in the hours. What I did not know was that his notes were the problem, not his effort. The plan we got changed how he studies six weeks before his mocks.”
“She knew the material cold and still panicked in the exam hall. The assessment named exactly that, and gave us something practical to work on before June.”
“I was not looking for another thing to add to his week. This actually gave him back time, because he stopped studying the wrong way for hours that were not working.”
A single assessment. A genuinely personal plan.
- The 80 item diagnostic across 17 domains
- A detailed written copy of your results, personally reviewed by Enda O'Doherty
- A personalised study plan matched to your child's specific needs
- A free copy of Supercharge Your Study Skills, the book by Study Skills Ireland
- Results within 24 hours
Once payment is received, Enda will personally email your assessment link within one business day.
Before you begin
Why does my child freeze or blank in exams even when they know the material?
Research from the ESRI and clinical studies on exam stress consistently shows that pressure affects working memory, the part of the brain used to retrieve what has been learned. A student can genuinely know the material and still underperform on the day. This is exactly what the Exam Nerves section of this assessment measures.
What is the best study skills assessment for Irish secondary students?
The O'Doherty Learning and Study Profile is built specifically for the Irish curriculum, Junior Cycle and Leaving Cert, by Enda O'Doherty, with over thirty five years experience in Irish education. It covers 80 items across 17 domains and is personally reviewed, not automatically generated.
How can I help my child improve their Leaving Cert or Junior Cycle results?
Improving results usually means identifying the specific gap, whether that is exam technique, time management, or working style, rather than simply adding more study hours. This assessment identifies exactly where that gap is, then provides a written plan to address it.
Is this a clinical or psychological assessment?
No. This is an educational strategies and working style profile. It does not diagnose or treat anything, and it is not a substitute for a formal psychological or educational assessment.
How long does a study skills assessment take to complete?
About 12 minutes. Most questions are a single tap, a slider or a yes or no, so it moves quickly despite the depth.
What do I actually receive?
A written evaluation of your child's study habits and working style, and a specific development plan built around it, prepared personally within 24 hours.
Can a parent complete the assessment on their child's behalf?
Yes. A parent version is built in, with wording adjusted accordingly. This is particularly suited to younger students or where a parent has concerns about academic performance.
Is my child's information handled safely?
Yes. Responses are stored securely, used only to prepare the report, and never sold or shared with third parties.
What if I want ongoing, one to one support rather than a single assessment?
This assessment and plan stand on their own. If you are looking for in-depth, one to one, premium support looking after your child's development over time, rather than a single questionnaire, see the full range of courses at studyskillsireland.com/courses.
Ongoing, one to one support for your child's development.
This assessment gives you a clear picture and a written plan. If you want in depth, one to one, premium support putting that plan into practice over time, our full range of courses is built for exactly that.
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