asked the Minister for Education if his attention has been drawn to the maximum marks, the number of questions to be attempted and the marks alloted to each question on Paper I (Ceapadóireacht), set at the examination for the Ard-Teastas Gaeilge, on 7th March, 1947; if he is aware that, while the maximum marks for the paper were 100, a candidate who answered the required number of questions could only score a total of 60 marks; if he will state the circumstances in which this arose; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Examination for Ard-Teastas Gaeilge.
Owing to a printing error, the number of marks allotted to question one of the paper was stated incorrectly on the question paper as 45. As in previous years the number of marks alloted to question one was 85 and the examiners were immediately advised of the error appearing on the paper and were instructed to mark the answering to question one on the basis of a maximum of 85 marks. As it was stated definitely at the head of the paper that the paper carried 100 marks and question one was obligatory and as the two other questions were alternatives, carrying equal marks (15), there was no real danger that the printing error could result in injustice to any candidate.
Would it be possible for the Minister to arrange that the examination papers issuing from his Department would be properly checked so that printer's errors would not occur in them? It would be a very great convenience to competitors if the papers were in order.
Everything possible is done. The number of candidates sitting for these examinations has increased enormously and there is a corresponding amount of work. I am glad to say that complaints as regards typographical errors, from year to year, are very small. I will try to prevent a recurrence of this incident.