Fidel Gastro’s

Not sure if people remember I asked the Examination Board around using slang in exams. I got a reply; which was cc’ed to the head of the UK QCA board and around 10 other members of the QCA. Not sure whether to laugh out loud or to laugh nervously expecting some kind of exam related reprisal. Like my A-Level’s getting revoked.

Well here’s the reply.

Dear Cian

Candidates wouldn’t be ‘marked down’ because marking is positive, i.e. marks already gained cannot be taken away. However they might, or might not, gain credit if slang terms are used in an answer. At GCSE correct biological nomenclature given in the specification should be used by candidates. I have checked some GCSE specifications and they do include the terms ‘anus’ and ‘faeces’. If candidates used a different term, whether they gained credit would depend on the question asked and the mark scheme.

From a candidate’s point of view it is sensible to use the correct term if they know it. Slang is often regional in nature and passes in and out of fashion quickly, so if they do use it the examiner might not know what they mean. On the other hand it is better to write something than to leave an answer blank, so if they can only remember the everyday or slang term they should use it. The examiner may be able to give them credit for showing their understanding even if she/he can’t do so for the use of correct terminology.

Yours sincerely

Mrs X

Consultant: Science
QCA Consulting Division
QCA, 83 Piccadilly, London, W1J 8QA