The objective in making special arrangements at the certificate examinations for students, who have either specific learning difficulties or difficulties which arise from a physical or medical condition, is to ensure as far as possible that such candidates are enabled to demonstrate at the examination their level of ability.
I am sure the Deputy will agree that, in the interests of equity and fairness across the entire body of candidates and indeed to ensure the credibility of the examination system, the work of students must ultimately be assessed according to the same, strictly objective criteria. This is achieved by having a common marking scheme apply to the work of all candidates in a subject and, at the same time, by ensuring that every effort is made to ensure that full credit is given in accordance with that marking scheme for the work done.