Guidelines issued over exam concern

CCEA has issed new guidance about statistics exams

New guidelines have been issued to schools by the body which oversees second level examinations in Northern Ireland following controversy over anomalies last year.

Concern had focused on the 'A' level mathematics statistics papers after Belfast-based statistics experts said there had been flaws in exam questions.

James Nicholson said the errors could have affected grades awarded to students sitting the examinations and he criticised the lack of action over the situation.

He wrote to the schools advising them that past questions were flawed and should be used in mock examinations for students.

CCEA have submitted this year's papers for independent scrutiny

The Council for the Curriculum Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) has sent letters containing guidance drafted by two senior examiners to post primary schools and colleges regarding the statistics module of the mathematics papers.

The body said the information issued on Monday is "aimed at providing teachers with honest, authoritative and transparent guidance on the content and wording of past questions.

"It is hoped this will be of assistance to teachers in promoting good practice and help to reassure those who have expressed concerns in this area."

The body also sent this Summer's 'A' level statistics papers for independent scrutiny prior to their use in examination.

Strathearn Girls Grammar School principal David Manning has said the information was what schools had been promised for a number of years.

The headmaster said the guidance plainly showed there were mistakes in some questions.

He said the advice cleared up ambiguities but said it was too late to help students sitting this year's exam.