5 exam centres had to replay O-Level English listening comprehension tracks due to 'environmental factors': SEAB

Five examination centres have reported having to replay parts of the GCE O-Level English Listening examination's audio tracks.

Multiple Mothership readers had written in about the issue, sharing that it was "unfair" some schools had tracks replayed.

In response to queries from Mothership, the Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board (SEAB) shared that this was due to environmental factors, such as the movement of heavy vehicles, school bells ringing, or muffled playback from speakers. 

The national examination was conducted in the afternoon of Oct. 16 at 140 centres islandwide.

In recent years, approximately 23,000 candidates have taken the GCE O-Level Examination annually.

In a statement, SEAB has assured students that it has the necessary processes to handle such disruptions.

Examination personnel will also have the autonomy to "assess the impact" of the disruption, and "determine whether a replay is required."

"Examination centres are allowed to replay the affected tracks to ensure fair assessment for impacted students.

In the GCE O-level English Language Listening examination, the assessment format requires tracks 2 to 6 to be played twice. Therefore, in the case of a replay, the affected tracks would be replayed according to the number of times required."

Text used is "an original work"

SEAB also responded to Mothership's queries on the similarities between part three of the examination and a video by a US Youtuber.

According to SEAB, the examination was developed by a panel of assessment and curriculum specialists hailing from SEAB, Ministry of Education (MOE) and Cambridge International Education.

Setters "may base their material on available information from various sources", shared a SEAB spokesperson.

"Copyright clearance will be sought when sources have been used in their entirety or adapted."

Commenting on the issue, SEAB confirmed that the text used was an "original" piece.

"In this instance, other than the name of the trail and the incidental first name, there is little to no similarity between the said videos and the audio text used in the examination. The text used in the examination is an original work. The Setter did not use, or take any inspiration from, any sources from the owner of the said video in developing the examination material."

Top image from Canva