I heard it off radio yesterday.
Straits Times today also reported it, adding that there may be a
question in the MCQ there's 2 correct answers.
from
http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/sub/singapore/story/0,5562,284700,00.html
Nov 13, 2004
Exam error: Students reassured
AN ERROR that slipped into a question in this year's GCE O-level
Biology exam paper is being looked into by the exam-setters, who
promise that no student will be disadvantaged because of it.
In the Biology Paper 2 - which several thousand students sat for on
Wednesday - the accompanying graph for a four-part structured
question was incorrectly drawn.
Two of the four parts to Question 2, carrying seven out of 11
marks, were affected.
A Ministry of Education spokesman, responding to queries from The
Straits Times, said the paper was set by the University of
Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES) - which has assured
MOE that 'no candidate will be disadvantaged because of the
error'.
The question centred on how the diameter of the pupil in the human
eye varied in relation to its distance from a light source.
The graph showed the diameter of the pupil decreasing the farther
away it was from the light source. This baffled students, who
pointed out that the converse is true.
Still, school officials and parents have expressed confidence in
UCLES' assurance.
Said Mrs K. Saratha, whose daughter Sandya sat for the paper: 'My
daughter came home a bit flustered after the paper... I am glad
that the examiners have given the assurance.'
At The Chinese High, where 253 students sat for the paper,
spokesman Yap Meen Sheng said that 'all the students spotted the
mistake very early on in the paper and pointed it out to the
invigilator during the exam, but they were told to continue doing
the paper'.
He added: 'They were later given the assurance that MOE would look
into the matter and they would not be penalised.'
MOE has also forwarded to UCLES feedback it has received regarding
one question in the multiple-choice Biology Paper 1.
Two of the options offered appeared to be equally correct, some
students have complained. The MOE spokesman said the ministry is
awaiting a response from UCLES.
