Ofqual inquiry into exam paper mistakes this summer 2011 (draft)

 Background

1. During the summer 2011 examination season a number of significant

errors in a small number of GCSE, AS and A levels question papers

made it difficult for candidates to answer some questions. The

qualification regulators are overseeing the proposed actions of

awarding organisations to make sure that candidates who have faced

exam paper errors this summer are, as far as possible, not unfairly

disadvantaged or advantaged

Ofqual’s priorities during this period have been to require the awarding

organisations to do everything possible to prevent further errors and to

ensure that the marking of those papers including errors neither

unfairly advantages nor disadvantages the candidates concerned. Now

that the examination season is over, the regulators (Ofqual, DfES in

Wales and CCEA in Northern Ireland) are launching an inquiry:

1. to establish the facts and ascertain the root causes of the errors;

2. to consider how effectively the awarding organisations have

communicated with candidates, centres and other stakeholders.

3. to identify any improvements necessary in awarding

organisations’ procedures;

4. to consider the arrangements for risk management and redress

that should be used in the future and any implications for the

regulatory arrangements to hold awarding organisations most

effectively to account;

The outcome of the inquiry will inform decisions about further

regulatory action relating to the errors.

The EOA members will be consulted with as confirmed in this letter. Click here

We will be requesting further evidence from your centres based upon your experiences.

email - andrewharland@examofficers.org.uk - title "exam mistakes summer 2011"