Categories: uncategorized
Date: 22 June 2011 08:18:52
This post will be carefully worded; it is one I have had to think about making at all as it concerns "work related" topic, although no information related directly to any job I am currently doing. The subject is the continuing reports of mistakes in exam papers. I address this as a professional and as a parent with a daughter taking exams this year.
The continued reports of more mistakes and ommissions with exam papers are not good. They are undermining confidence in the current exam system, as any article or report makes clear. What is not being mentioned are the identifiable factors at play here.
Firstly, mistakes should not be made - there are meetings to ensure accuracy and that mistakes are not made and there is also meant to be a proof reading element that takes place on the final paper when it is printed. These are the processes that appear to be falling down.
Secondly, that said, there have always been odd minor errors that have crept in to some exams - thankfully these are rare and certainly the exception each year. The way it used to work though was that the teacher would go in with the students and (i) identify any students without their id and (ii) check the paper once the exam started. In the checking the paper and staying there for up to 30 minutes after the start of the paper if any problems were identified, the exam paused whilst a call to the board was made and students were told there and then what extra information they needed or how the error was going to be solved. Under recent exam regulations teachers are no longer allowed to enter the exam room and so that element of being able to check the paper has been removed. This means that the exam boards have, for whatever reason, removed an element in the process.
Thirdly, in terms of the questions with repeats from March, there is a process of standard deviation which takes place and marks are adjusted accordingly. Whilst the mistake should never have happened there are ways of dealing with this - although it seems that different papers were sent to different schools and this is disturbing.
Forthly, the level of reporting may be politically motivated. For years there have been calls for the exam system in this coutry to be overhauled - and we are there with increased use of the bac. These errors could be the convienient straw that breaks the camels back. Now, don't get me wrong - THIS IS NOT A CONSPIRACY THEORY - but I do think that certain moral entreprenurs may be using the unintended problems for their own political ends.
Finally, I would like to point out to those who have taken exams they can still have confidence in the system as a whole. When teachers notice these problems they are flagged up and the system of marking and awarding marks is robust. When the boards do spot problems students are not penalised - there are systems in place to ensure that the marking process remains fair and an accuate reflection of ability.