Comical spelling error slips through to confuse WA Year 12 chemistry students sitting ATAR exam

Maybe these examiners should have sat a spelling test. Thousands of WA Year 12s sitting their final chemistry paper this week were confronted with a bizarre spelling mistake that slipped past numerous checks by examiners. A question in the multiple-choice section of the ATAR chemistry exam held on Monday referred to “crustations” rather than crustaceans. Students were asked to select from four choices — all focused on oceans or marine organisms — which scenario was likely to occur due to an increase in carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere. The West understands the comical but potentially confusing option B — “it will be more difficult for crustations (sic) to construct their shells” — was the correct answer. A spokesperson for WA’s School Curriculum and Standards Authority, which sets the ATAR exams, said the use of the word “crustation” was a “typographic error” that had crept in despite its “rigorous examination development process”. Examiners were yet to decide whether to adjust their marking to take the mistake into account. “For each ATAR course examination, the chief examiner and chief marker convene a ratification meeting to review a sample of students’ papers and confirm the marking key and, when necessary, adjust the marking key to ensure that no student is disadvantaged,” the spokesperson said. “The marking process is in progress and the details of answers for ATAR course examinations are released once all processes are complete in the new year.” Science Teachers Association of WA president Geoff Quinton said the error was “unfortunate” given the number of checks exam papers went through. “It is surprising, knowing the rigour that SCSA apply to the exam process,” he said. More than 4000 students were enrolled in Year 12 chemistry this year. Students from schools across WA began sitting their ATAR course written exams on October 30, with the last exam scheduled for November 17. News of the spelling blunder comes as Victoria announced a review of checking and proofing processes for Year 12 mathematics exams after multiple errors appeared in papers this year and last year. The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority on Tuesday apologised for causing “undue stress” to schools and students. After the latest error was picked up — an incorrectly labelled diagram in the final question of a specialist maths exam held on Monday — it decided to award all students who attempted the exam a correct score for that question.