Vol. 433 No. 7
163 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Education if she will give details of the number of misprints in the Leaving Certificate and Junior Certificate examinations of 1993; if she will give details of the way in which the papers are prepared and checked; and if this year's errors are in line with those in previous years.
The work of setting the question papers is a process which takes months from the draft stage to final printing. The draft is carefully checked in the first place to see that the questions are a fair test of candidates' knowledge of the course. In the case of the Leaving Certificate the draft is also examined by nominees of the Universities. Following this consideration, the draft, as amended where necessary, is passed for press. Before approval for printing is given the proofs of the draft paper will have been read at least twice and in many cases three times.
Following printing the final printed version of the paper is further scrutinised. Any errors which come to light at this stage are included in a list which is given to superintendents for reading to the candidates concerned prior to the start of the relevant examination.
A total of 336 separate question papers, including Irish versions, must be printed for the purposes of all levels of the Leaving and the Junior Certificate Examinations.
It has happened that notwithstanding the great care which is taken at all stages of the process a very small number of errors has persisted uncorrected through to the final paper. It is a matter of great regret to me that such errors have occurred despite the process which I have described. I am aware that this can have an upsetting effect on some students. I am happy to be able to assure the Deputy that where an error does come to light, examiners will be notified of the difficulties experienced by candidates and account of these difficulties will be taken in the marking.
The total number of misprints for the certificate examinations in 1993 not notified in the errata list was three. Precise records are not kept of errors in the previous years but it is estimated that they were of the same order.
