South Africa
Matric exams: Maths issue to be solved in 2023─── 08:21 Fri, 25 Nov 2022
As the Matric Class of 2022 is approaching the end of their matric exams, the appointed panel is still investigating the “impossible” Maths Paper 2 question that frustrated and stressed matric pupils and teachers.
The three-person panel – consisting of Penelope Vinjevold, Prof. Sudan Hansraj, and Prof. Nic Heideman – is investigating how an error in a matric exam paper slipped past examiners and moderators, tasked with assessing the matric exam before it goes to print.
The panel is set to share the final report with quality assurance council Umalusi on 16 January 2023.
ALSO READ - Maths Paper 2: DBE to review ‘impossible’ question on matric exam
Umalusi CEO Dr Mafu Rakometsi assured matric learners that they would not be penalised for the error and that it would not push back the release of matric results on 16 January 2023.
Briefly reports the maths question that sparked an investigation was worth seven marks and had matric candidates and teachers up in arms.
In addition to the challenges of sitting for exams amid rolling blackouts, the matric class of 2022 has had to manoeuvre an ‘impossible’ trigonometry question in Mathematics Paper 2. According to grade 12 Maths teachers and learners who wrote the paper ... https://t.co/JRg6H3VcTV
— Daily Maverick (@dailymaverick) November 11, 2022
According to the Department of Basic Education’s spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga, once a paper has been written there is an informal memo discussion comprising pupils and subject teachers to see how the former fared in the exam.
It was during these discussions that pupils mentioned the difficulties they had with Question 5. The complaints, he said, came from all corners of South Africa.
ALSO READ: Motshekga to announce findings into difficult matric exam question
News24 earlier reported Mhlanga assured pupils that there was no need to worry about it.
"We will look into it. We have a panel that reviews every paper. If there is an error, the first step is to remove that mark so that no one is compromised.
"If an error has been declared, we will tell markers to ignore Question 5 so that everyone is covered and there is fairness.
"As the exam was out of 100, everyone will be marked on 93. The second step is to check what the impact of that was on the pupils."
Explaining what he meant, he said some pupils complained that they wasted time looking for the answer. Others ended up frustrated and stressed.
Mhlanga said officials would look at the overall performance of the pupils. If it is established that the question impacted their exam, the department will ask Umalusi for an upward adjustment of 1% or 2%.
