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| Students hit by more exam errors | Students hit by more exam errors |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| By Angela Harrison Education correspondent, BBC News | By Angela Harrison Education correspondent, BBC News |
| England's exams watchdog is investigating a total of six mistakes in exams taken by tens of thousands of students. | England's exams watchdog is investigating a total of six mistakes in exams taken by tens of thousands of students. |
| The latest are in a geography AS-level paper and a business studies GCSE. | The latest are in a geography AS-level paper and a business studies GCSE. |
| Ofqual has said the series of errors in this year's public exams are "disappointing and unacceptable". | Ofqual has said the series of errors in this year's public exams are "disappointing and unacceptable". |
| It has ordered urgent extra checks by exam bodies amid complaints from students and teachers. | It has ordered urgent extra checks by exam bodies amid complaints from students and teachers. |
| The National Union of Students is calling for an urgent inquiry. | The National Union of Students is calling for an urgent inquiry. |
| More than 90,000 teenagers took the papers concerned. | More than 90,000 teenagers took the papers concerned. |
| The six exam papers being investigated by Ofqual cover A-level, AS-level and GCSEs taken in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. | The six exam papers being investigated by Ofqual cover A-level, AS-level and GCSEs taken in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. |
| A seventh has been identified by the Northern Ireland exam board and regulator. | A seventh has been identified by the Northern Ireland exam board and regulator. |
| Ofqual says five are AS-levels (which can count towards an A-level) and one is a GCSE. | Ofqual says five are AS-levels (which can count towards an A-level) and one is a GCSE. |
| On Thursday afternoon, this was confirmed as being the CCEA business studies GCSE, taken by 3,400 students in Northern Ireland and 500 in England. | On Thursday afternoon, this was confirmed as being the CCEA business studies GCSE, taken by 3,400 students in Northern Ireland and 500 in England. |
| Students hit by more exam errors | |
| In the geography paper, a diagram showing the flow of a river was mislabelled in the first question. | In the geography paper, a diagram showing the flow of a river was mislabelled in the first question. |
| A head of geography in the south of England told the BBC News website: "The question was impossible to answer correctly in my opinion. | A head of geography in the south of England told the BBC News website: "The question was impossible to answer correctly in my opinion. |
| "They should cut that question from the paper. Being the first question, it really threw some of the students. | "They should cut that question from the paper. Being the first question, it really threw some of the students. |
| "I contacted the exam board but have had no response to the questions I asked." | "I contacted the exam board but have had no response to the questions I asked." |
| More errors | More errors |
| The AQA exam body has confirmed the mistake and apologised for it, saying all students would be given full marks for the question. It says the question carried four marks out of 50. | The AQA exam body has confirmed the mistake and apologised for it, saying all students would be given full marks for the question. It says the question carried four marks out of 50. |
| It also said there had been a problem with a diagram on its computing AS-level paper on 7 June, saying: "An arrow in a diagram was shorter than it should have been, which may have confused some candidates". | It also said there had been a problem with a diagram on its computing AS-level paper on 7 June, saying: "An arrow in a diagram was shorter than it should have been, which may have confused some candidates". |
| A spokeswoman said: "We are very sorry for these mistakes and will ensure that no students will be disadvantaged as a result." | A spokeswoman said: "We are very sorry for these mistakes and will ensure that no students will be disadvantaged as a result." |
| The errors affect tens of thousands of students, many of whom will be relying on the results for their university applications. | The errors affect tens of thousands of students, many of whom will be relying on the results for their university applications. |
| Student Edwin Li Ping was affected by a mistake in his biology AS-level, set by the Edexcel exam body. | Student Edwin Li Ping was affected by a mistake in his biology AS-level, set by the Edexcel exam body. |
| "For the first 15 minutes I looked at that question when I should have spent one minute on it," he told the BBC. | "For the first 15 minutes I looked at that question when I should have spent one minute on it," he told the BBC. |
| He wants to study medicine and says he "would really like to get that A". | He wants to study medicine and says he "would really like to get that A". |
| Compensation call | Compensation call |
| The National Union of Students has written to the Education Secretary Michael Gove to call for an independent inquiry. | The National Union of Students has written to the Education Secretary Michael Gove to call for an independent inquiry. |
| It says students whose university places are affected, or who are forced to take re-sits as a result of the errors, should be given compensation. | It says students whose university places are affected, or who are forced to take re-sits as a result of the errors, should be given compensation. |
| Shane Chowen, from the NUS, said the errors had become a "deeply concerning" trend. | Shane Chowen, from the NUS, said the errors had become a "deeply concerning" trend. |
| "Those students who have been confronted with unanswerable questions may have had their confidence knocked and their performance in the rest of the exam affected," he said. | "Those students who have been confronted with unanswerable questions may have had their confidence knocked and their performance in the rest of the exam affected," he said. |
| The head of Ofqual has written to all the exam boards on behalf of the exam regulators in England, Wales and Northern Ireland asking them to carry out extra checks on exam papers. | The head of Ofqual has written to all the exam boards on behalf of the exam regulators in England, Wales and Northern Ireland asking them to carry out extra checks on exam papers. |
| Protecting students | Protecting students |
| Ofqual's chief executive Glenys Stacey told the exam bodies to make sure measures were in place to deal with any errors that occurred. | Ofqual's chief executive Glenys Stacey told the exam bodies to make sure measures were in place to deal with any errors that occurred. |
| "While the vast majority of question papers taken so far have been free from error, there have been a number of question papers that have included errors," she said. | "While the vast majority of question papers taken so far have been free from error, there have been a number of question papers that have included errors," she said. |
| "We take instances like this very seriously. I am calling on awarding organisations to take steps now to protect students from further disruption and anxiety." | "We take instances like this very seriously. I am calling on awarding organisations to take steps now to protect students from further disruption and anxiety." |
| The watchdog says in general the exam bodies have a good track record. | The watchdog says in general the exam bodies have a good track record. |
| The exam boards involved in the other confirmed mistakes say measures are in place which will ensure candidates do not suffer. | The exam boards involved in the other confirmed mistakes say measures are in place which will ensure candidates do not suffer. |
| The errors on the other AS-level papers involved: | The errors on the other AS-level papers involved: |
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| The marks at stake varied from just one out of a total of 80 in the biology exam paper, to the maths question, which was worth 11% of the total marks on the paper. | The marks at stake varied from just one out of a total of 80 in the biology exam paper, to the maths question, which was worth 11% of the total marks on the paper. |
| AS-levels are qualifications in their own right but are also taken by teenagers as the first stage of their A-levels. | AS-levels are qualifications in their own right but are also taken by teenagers as the first stage of their A-levels. |
| Some of those who messaged the BBC News website said they were worried the mistakes could cost them a place at university. | Some of those who messaged the BBC News website said they were worried the mistakes could cost them a place at university. |
| 'Thousands let down' | 'Thousands let down' |
| Natalie Edwards, from Stevenage, told the BBC: "The exam was hard enough without having mistakes on questions that are designed for people to be able to pick up the easier marks. I couldn't work out why I wasn't getting any of the answers in the paper, which caused me to get stressed." | Natalie Edwards, from Stevenage, told the BBC: "The exam was hard enough without having mistakes on questions that are designed for people to be able to pick up the easier marks. I couldn't work out why I wasn't getting any of the answers in the paper, which caused me to get stressed." |
| Sarah Streiber, from Wales, said she took both the business and maths papers in which errors appeared, and was hoping to go to university before increased tuition fees are introduced in 2012. | Sarah Streiber, from Wales, said she took both the business and maths papers in which errors appeared, and was hoping to go to university before increased tuition fees are introduced in 2012. |
| "And now I have potentially lost that chance! Thank you very much to the examiners who have let thousands of us down," she said. | "And now I have potentially lost that chance! Thank you very much to the examiners who have let thousands of us down," she said. |
| The exam bodies have released a statement as a group, saying nearly all of the tens of thousands of examination questions published each year are error-free. | The exam bodies have released a statement as a group, saying nearly all of the tens of thousands of examination questions published each year are error-free. |
| They add that extra checks are being carried out. | They add that extra checks are being carried out. |
| Director of the Joint Council for Qualifications Jim Sinclair said: "Awarding bodies are aware that a small number of questions in this year's exam papers have contained errors and understand the distress this may have caused students. | Director of the Joint Council for Qualifications Jim Sinclair said: "Awarding bodies are aware that a small number of questions in this year's exam papers have contained errors and understand the distress this may have caused students. |
| "Students and parents should be assured that no one will be disadvantaged as a result of these mistakes. Examiners marking the papers are aware of the incidents and will make careful adjustments so that all students receive the marks they deserve." | "Students and parents should be assured that no one will be disadvantaged as a result of these mistakes. Examiners marking the papers are aware of the incidents and will make careful adjustments so that all students receive the marks they deserve." |
| Ofqual has powers to name exam bodies which make errors, and to direct them to take certain actions to rectify the situation. | Ofqual has powers to name exam bodies which make errors, and to direct them to take certain actions to rectify the situation. |
| Its ultimate sanction is to withdraw recognition from an awarding body - effectively removing its powers to set and mark public exams. | Its ultimate sanction is to withdraw recognition from an awarding body - effectively removing its powers to set and mark public exams. |
| Northern Ireland's Council for the Curriculum, Examinations & Assesment (CCEA) said there was also a problem with its further maths AS-level paper, which was taken by 122 students in Northern Ireland. | Northern Ireland's Council for the Curriculum, Examinations & Assesment (CCEA) said there was also a problem with its further maths AS-level paper, which was taken by 122 students in Northern Ireland. |
| In this case, it said: "An error had been identified as part of CCEA's quality procedures and the paper was sent to the printers for correction. During this process a new error was introduced by the printer. | In this case, it said: "An error had been identified as part of CCEA's quality procedures and the paper was sent to the printers for correction. During this process a new error was introduced by the printer. |
| "This related to one part of the last question on the paper and was worth four marks out of a total of 75 marks." | "This related to one part of the last question on the paper and was worth four marks out of a total of 75 marks." |
| BBC News website readers who have been affected by the examination mistakes have sent us their comments. A selection has been published below. | BBC News website readers who have been affected by the examination mistakes have sent us their comments. A selection has been published below. |
| Maths papers at AS and A level are hard enough as it is and this particular one was much harder than any of the previous years' papers. I found it impossible to answer a few questions which I never found a problem when doing the past papers, but now that I've found out that it was an error it is even more frustrating. I need a C to get into my uni place and if I don't get that then I won't be going to uni, so what are Ofqual going to do about it as I and many others may be relying on those extra few marks to go to uni. | Maths papers at AS and A level are hard enough as it is and this particular one was much harder than any of the previous years' papers. I found it impossible to answer a few questions which I never found a problem when doing the past papers, but now that I've found out that it was an error it is even more frustrating. I need a C to get into my uni place and if I don't get that then I won't be going to uni, so what are Ofqual going to do about it as I and many others may be relying on those extra few marks to go to uni. |
| Lucy, Southampton | Lucy, Southampton |
| I took the Unit 1 Edexcel Biology exam on the 16 May. I was sitting the exam and halfway through came to question six on DNA coding. I realised none of the possible answer choices were correct. I was sure Edexcel must have made a mistake, but knew there was nothing I could do whilst sitting the exam! Then as you would do, I started doubting myself and thought I must be doing something wrong. So I went over the question for quite a while, wasting valuable time that could have been spent answering other questions. I did not want to risk losing a mark for such a simple question. I have since applied for special consideration through the exam centre I sat the unit at as an external candidate. I had to do this within the week after the exam though, I am sympathetic with other students that might not be aware of their options especially those external candidates. | I took the Unit 1 Edexcel Biology exam on the 16 May. I was sitting the exam and halfway through came to question six on DNA coding. I realised none of the possible answer choices were correct. I was sure Edexcel must have made a mistake, but knew there was nothing I could do whilst sitting the exam! Then as you would do, I started doubting myself and thought I must be doing something wrong. So I went over the question for quite a while, wasting valuable time that could have been spent answering other questions. I did not want to risk losing a mark for such a simple question. I have since applied for special consideration through the exam centre I sat the unit at as an external candidate. I had to do this within the week after the exam though, I am sympathetic with other students that might not be aware of their options especially those external candidates. |
| Sophie, London | Sophie, London |
| I have taken the business studies exam and I think it's a total joke. Not only could people not get the marks, it meant that they wasted time elsewhere. The business question was three marks but as a whole I reckon affected about 10 marks of the paper. My friend who did the paper actually ran out of time spending so long on it. He also had faced the error in the maths test earlier on and was going to re-sit geography. So for him out of his four subjects three papers have had errors. Disgraceful as it can cause major problems in trying to get into uni. | I have taken the business studies exam and I think it's a total joke. Not only could people not get the marks, it meant that they wasted time elsewhere. The business question was three marks but as a whole I reckon affected about 10 marks of the paper. My friend who did the paper actually ran out of time spending so long on it. He also had faced the error in the maths test earlier on and was going to re-sit geography. So for him out of his four subjects three papers have had errors. Disgraceful as it can cause major problems in trying to get into uni. |
| George Funnell, Waterlooville | George Funnell, Waterlooville |
| I sat the OCR D1 exam, as part of my A2 maths course. I was reasonably confident and obviously wanted to get as high a grade as possible. When I got to the 'impossible question' I went through it at the same pace as I had done any other question. However, unlike many of my friends, I must have made the same mistake as OCR did and achieved the answer they had given us to find. Only after the exam did I realise that the figures we got given were wrong. But my question is, will I get marked down now that I've made the same, schoolboy mistake that OCR did? Or will I get higher marks for getting the answer given on the paper, even though it is wrong? It's ridiculous that a mistake like this could be made on an exam which is so important to so many people, especially this year, with there being a lot fewer places at university. | I sat the OCR D1 exam, as part of my A2 maths course. I was reasonably confident and obviously wanted to get as high a grade as possible. When I got to the 'impossible question' I went through it at the same pace as I had done any other question. However, unlike many of my friends, I must have made the same mistake as OCR did and achieved the answer they had given us to find. Only after the exam did I realise that the figures we got given were wrong. But my question is, will I get marked down now that I've made the same, schoolboy mistake that OCR did? Or will I get higher marks for getting the answer given on the paper, even though it is wrong? It's ridiculous that a mistake like this could be made on an exam which is so important to so many people, especially this year, with there being a lot fewer places at university. |
| Jonathan Bennett, Sutton Coldfield | Jonathan Bennett, Sutton Coldfield |
| I'm afraid that university papers constantly have errors - yet this is never reported in the news - especially to say we pay for our education, yet lecturers cannot spend two minutes proof-reading... | I'm afraid that university papers constantly have errors - yet this is never reported in the news - especially to say we pay for our education, yet lecturers cannot spend two minutes proof-reading... |
| Laura, UK | Laura, UK |
| Do the exam boards really not do any testing of exam papers? How hard can it actually be to just get another examiner who has had no involvement with setting the questions to actually just sit down and try to take the exam, prior to printing thousands of copies of the thing. At the very least pay a couple of teachers of the subject to take it and see how they cope! | Do the exam boards really not do any testing of exam papers? How hard can it actually be to just get another examiner who has had no involvement with setting the questions to actually just sit down and try to take the exam, prior to printing thousands of copies of the thing. At the very least pay a couple of teachers of the subject to take it and see how they cope! |
| Greg, Bristol | Greg, Bristol |
| A similar thing happened to me many years ago when I was doing my O-Levels. It is all very well saying that students won't be disadvantaged but it depends how long students spend agonising over the question. In my case too long so I failed! | A similar thing happened to me many years ago when I was doing my O-Levels. It is all very well saying that students won't be disadvantaged but it depends how long students spend agonising over the question. In my case too long so I failed! |
| Richard Wagner, Harlow | Richard Wagner, Harlow |
| I took the AQA business studies exam a few weeks ago and the mistake calculation was the second question. I started off really well, calculating the answer for the first question with ease but then came the error and I spent so much time looking for the information I needed that I nervously attempted the other questions, clearly feeling agitated about the other question and so I didn't produce confident answers in the rest of the questions, some of them rushed, and I didn't have the time to finish the exam paper. What made the error worse is that not only did they give us the wrong figure to calculate the answer, but they gave the figure indefinitely ie "over $1million" and not "$1million" precisely, making it even more difficult to know whether to use that information. I'm concerned as to whether examiners will take into account the knock-on effect that the mistake has had on students like myself for our performances on the rest of the paper. | I took the AQA business studies exam a few weeks ago and the mistake calculation was the second question. I started off really well, calculating the answer for the first question with ease but then came the error and I spent so much time looking for the information I needed that I nervously attempted the other questions, clearly feeling agitated about the other question and so I didn't produce confident answers in the rest of the questions, some of them rushed, and I didn't have the time to finish the exam paper. What made the error worse is that not only did they give us the wrong figure to calculate the answer, but they gave the figure indefinitely ie "over $1million" and not "$1million" precisely, making it even more difficult to know whether to use that information. I'm concerned as to whether examiners will take into account the knock-on effect that the mistake has had on students like myself for our performances on the rest of the paper. |
| Naji Tilley, London | Naji Tilley, London |