Students and parents will be understandably concerned about the procedures for tomorrow's exam. LOUISE HOLDEN addresses some key questions
When will the new examination take place?
The rescheduled exam will take place from 9.30am to 12.50pm on Saturday, June 6th.
Where will the new examination take place?
The State Exams Commission (SEC) says schools have been instructed to operate as on a normal exam day. If they have any queries on opening arrangements they should talk to their managerial body representative.
Will other exams such as the LCA or the Junior Certificate be affected?
Leaving Certificate English ordinary and higher level students only will be affected.
What paper can the students expect tomorrow?
Students will sit a “contingency paper” that is prepared at the same time as the original paper, in case of emergencies like this. Those setting the contingency paper follow all the same guidelines as those who set the original.
Will Saturday’s paper be harder or easier than the original?
According to the SEC, all examination papers, including alternative papers, are prepared in accordance with “published principles and protocols”. The SEC insists the alternative paper is of the same standard to the paper that has been withdrawn.
Will the contingency paper cover different parts of the syllabus than the paper that has been withdrawn?
There is no guideline that says the contingency paper must feature different parts of the syllabus or that it must not. According to the SEC, the contingency paper and the main paper are prepared at the same time, earlier in the academic year, by two entirely different teams.
No inferences about the content of the contingency paper can be drawn from the content of the original paper, the SEC says. Both papers are designed to cover material that’s on the syllabus and students should prepare for tomorrow’s exam in the normal way.
How will this paper be marked?
The SEC says there will be no difference in the marking scheme for the contingency paper. “This is a deferred sitting of the Leaving Certificate English examination. The paper will be marked in accordance with the established standard,” said a spokesperson.
What if I can’t sit the exam on Saturday?
Saturday’s exam is being treated like any other – it is now considered by the SEC as part of the official schedule and the responsibility is on students to attend. “Candidates are expected to attend for the rescheduled examination,” the SEC says. Until the time of publication, no special provisions were being made for students on the grounds of religious observance or for any other reason. “The issue is under consideration,” said Andrea Feeney of the SEC, “but as it stands, all candidates are expected to attend on Saturday.”
How will I get to the exam centre?
If you usually use a school bus service to get to school, proceed as normal. The Department of Education and Science is making arrangements with Bus Éireann to ensure provision of the regular weekday post primary school transport service on Saturday to accommodate those sitting the rescheduled paper.
I have been granted a reasonable accommodation for Leaving Certificate English. How will this change apply to me?
The SEC has stated that students who have made reasonable accommodation arrangements, such as reader support, will have their services provided as normal on Saturday.
Where do I go for further information?
There is a detailed questions section, as well as an explanation of the circumstances surrounding the rescheduling, on the SEC website at www.examinations.ie. Further queries can be directed to the SEC at their headquarters in Athlone. Tel: 0906 442744
