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| Three more errors found in A-level and GCSE exam papers | Three more errors found in A-level and GCSE exam papers |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| By Hannah Richardson BBC News education reporter | By Hannah Richardson BBC News education reporter |
| Three more mistakes have been found in GCSE and A-level exam papers being taken by pupils in the summer exam season. | Three more mistakes have been found in GCSE and A-level exam papers being taken by pupils in the summer exam season. |
| A-level physics and a GCSE Latin paper from the OCR exam board and an AQA maths GCSE foundation paper are the latest to contain errors. | A-level physics and a GCSE Latin paper from the OCR exam board and an AQA maths GCSE foundation paper are the latest to contain errors. |
| After a series of earlier errors, the Ofqual exams watchdog warned exam boards against any more mistakes. | After a series of earlier errors, the Ofqual exams watchdog warned exam boards against any more mistakes. |
| Both the AQA and OCR boards have apologised for the errors. | Both the AQA and OCR boards have apologised for the errors. |
| Earlier this month, Ofqual reassured candidates that it was addressing the problem of errors in exam papers - after pupils had been confronted with unanswerable questions. | Earlier this month, Ofqual reassured candidates that it was addressing the problem of errors in exam papers - after pupils had been confronted with unanswerable questions. |
| But three more errors have emerged, including in two papers taken on Tuesday. | But three more errors have emerged, including in two papers taken on Tuesday. |
| Ofqual now says it will "now be seeking explanations as to why these errors still occurred". | Ofqual now says it will "now be seeking explanations as to why these errors still occurred". |
| Printing error | Printing error |
| An OCR spokesman said the exam board was "deeply unhappy" about the latest errors and there would be an investigation and jobs could be lost as a result. | An OCR spokesman said the exam board was "deeply unhappy" about the latest errors and there would be an investigation and jobs could be lost as a result. |
| The Department for Education said the errors were "completely unacceptable" and that the Education Secretary Michael Gove was angry | |
| "He has said repeatedly that the exam system is discredited and action must be taken. | |
| "The department has been in close contact with Ofqual and the Secretary of State is speaking to them today to get a briefing on what action they are taking." | |
| The Latin GCSE error, in a paper taken by up to 8,000 pupils, contained three errors which represented 14 out of 50 marks. | The Latin GCSE error, in a paper taken by up to 8,000 pupils, contained three errors which represented 14 out of 50 marks. |
| Examiners will now have to decide how to mark the paper in a way that will treat candidates fairly. | Examiners will now have to decide how to mark the paper in a way that will treat candidates fairly. |
| An error in a question in the A-level physics paper, taken on Tuesday morning, used the wrong measurements. | An error in a question in the A-level physics paper, taken on Tuesday morning, used the wrong measurements. |
| A candidate taking the OCR exam paper told the BBC that pupils "were given a few minutes extra in our exam when the mistake was spotted and it caused some disruption". | A candidate taking the OCR exam paper told the BBC that pupils "were given a few minutes extra in our exam when the mistake was spotted and it caused some disruption". |
| There was also a printing error in a maths GCSE foundation paper, also taken by pupils on Tuesday morning, set by the AQA exam board. | |
| Some of the papers, given to 31,659 students, had questions from a previous paper accidentally printed in the middle of it, AQA said. | Some of the papers, given to 31,659 students, had questions from a previous paper accidentally printed in the middle of it, AQA said. |
| It estimates that the printing error affects only 2,500 of the total. | It estimates that the printing error affects only 2,500 of the total. |
| AQA said it was sorry that the error had caused some students distress. | AQA said it was sorry that the error had caused some students distress. |
| It added: "From the information we have at this stage, it seems that some of the papers contained questions from the March 2011 paper. | It added: "From the information we have at this stage, it seems that some of the papers contained questions from the March 2011 paper. |
| "We understand the problem version of the paper begins and ends with June questions, but has March questions in the middle of it." | "We understand the problem version of the paper begins and ends with June questions, but has March questions in the middle of it." |
| AQA said in some of the papers one of the questions had another from a previous paper printed in the middle of it - making it difficult for candidates to follow. It said 80% of the June paper was wrongly made up from questions from the earlier paper. | AQA said in some of the papers one of the questions had another from a previous paper printed in the middle of it - making it difficult for candidates to follow. It said 80% of the June paper was wrongly made up from questions from the earlier paper. |
| It added: "We have told schools that students should attempt the paper as it is and we will consider the most appropriate action to protect students' interests, when we have a full understanding of the extent of the problem. | It added: "We have told schools that students should attempt the paper as it is and we will consider the most appropriate action to protect students' interests, when we have a full understanding of the extent of the problem. |
| "The batches of papers that we checked as part of our quality assurance process are all fine and we are in the process of investigating with our printers how this problem has arisen. | "The batches of papers that we checked as part of our quality assurance process are all fine and we are in the process of investigating with our printers how this problem has arisen. |
| "As with any problem of this nature, our top priority is to protect the interests of students and we will ensure that no student is disadvantaged by this printing error." | "As with any problem of this nature, our top priority is to protect the interests of students and we will ensure that no student is disadvantaged by this printing error." |
| A fortnight ago AQA had to apologise for errors in a geography AS Level paper, a business studies paper and a computing paper. | A fortnight ago AQA had to apologise for errors in a geography AS Level paper, a business studies paper and a computing paper. |
| And it is not the only exam board that has run into difficulties with papers this year. | And it is not the only exam board that has run into difficulties with papers this year. |
| The exams watchdog, Ofqual, said on June 9 that it was investigating six errors. Five were AS-levels and one was a GCSE. | The exams watchdog, Ofqual, said on June 9 that it was investigating six errors. Five were AS-levels and one was a GCSE. |
| Have you taken any of these exams? If you are willing to be interviewed by the BBC about this please fill in the form below. | Have you taken any of these exams? If you are willing to be interviewed by the BBC about this please fill in the form below. |