OCR GCSE English Literature paper (J352/02)
24 August 2017
Results day update
To support schools and students receiving results for OCR’s GCSE English Literature, we have provided detailed information about the actions we have taken during marking to ensure no-one loses out due to the error on our exam paper. While the error was unacceptable, we have done all we can to deliver fair results for all our GCSE English Literature students. Here is the information we have provided:
- A letter to each school taking our GCSE explaining the steps we took during marking to ensure fair results for Romeo and Juliet centres and non-Romeo and Juliet centres
- Individual statements to all affected students with the solution we applied to marking their paper to minimise the impact of our error
- An FAQ document for students and schools with worked examples of our solution to marking Romeo and Juliet questions.
More detailed technical information about how we dealt with this error is available. Free copies of marked exam papers will be available to all our GCSE English Literature students and for those who answered a Romeo and Juliet question, reviews of marking will also be a free option this year.
Getting in touch
For any query about a result, students should speak to exams officers or teachers in the first instance. To speak to OCR’s Customer Contact Centre, please call us on 01223 553998 or email your enquiry.
Update 4/7/2017
On 29 June, we wrote to schools to provide them with an update on the work we've been doing to ensure the impact of our error on the Romeo and Juliet question is minimised. In the letter, we answered some of the concerns raised by teachers, students and parents.
Many schools taking OCR GCSE English Literature studied Macbeth, The Merchant of Venice or Much Ado About Nothing instead of Romeo and Juliet. We want to reassure all teachers and students about the actions we're taking to ensure results are fair.
Update 2/6/2017
Here is the letter we sent to schools and colleges on 2 June outlining our plans for ensuring students affected by the error on the GCSE English Literature paper get the results they deserve.
Statement 26/5/2017
We apologise wholeheartedly for an error on today’s OCR GCSE English Literature paper (J352/02).
To ensure all students are treated fairly, we will put things right when the exam is marked and graded. To do this, we combine feedback from our examiners with statistics to measure the potential impact on students. We are then able to make appropriate adjustments – including to the grade boundaries if necessary – to ensure no-one is disadvantaged.
Once again, we are sorry for this error on one of our exam papers and we are investigating how it got through our assurance processes as a matter of urgency. We are liaising directly with schools, and advise students and families to talk to their teachers for further information.