This is hilarious but also depressing - exam marking

[UnquietDad]

story here

The examiner is quoted as saying the candidate had demonstrated more skills than one "who doesn't write anything at all".

Well, yeeeeeeeeess.......that's one way of looking at it...

(Given current standards I'm surprised the kid didn't get an A, to be honest.)

Mr Buckroyd is quoted by the Times as saying: "It would be wicked to give it a zero because it does show some very basic skills we are looking for - like conveying some meaning and some spelling."

Do you think he means wick-id! in the down-wiv-da-kids and accompanied-by-silly-pointing-at-floor-gesture sort of way?

I wonder what the question was?

hahaha - I've just re-read the link and seen the bit about an extra point for an exclamation mark (or rather the other way round - I'm confused now)

and one assumes 'Why don't you fuck off?' would get them an A*

It really does depend on the Question. For example if it was asking Translate into modern day language what Shylock said to Antonio when asked to be spared his pound of flesh..then the answer would be somewhat profound.

Oh well, no-one who has to resort to writing that in their exam papers is going to achieve the remaining points to make up a pass mark, so the question is probably academic.

Up to 6 marks is still only a U on AQA.

It'll be a bored examiner taking the piss.

& Buckroyd's right. It does convey spelling skills - presumably 'fuk off' would get one mark & 'fuk ov' none...

I think it's hilarious. An examiner has obviously said something tongue in cheek and it's been pounced on as something outrageous by the press.

It reminds me of the scene in "Educating Rita" - how would you solve the staging difficulties inherent in a production of Peer Gynt? Do it on the radio.

I told my Year 10s about it today and they were very amused - but I also told them not to get any ideas!