EXAM SHOCKER: 140 Year 12 Students Taught WRONG Ancient History Topic for Final Exam, Leaving Them in Tears
- Nine Queensland high schools, including elite Brisbane State High, taught students about Augustus Caesar instead of Julius Caesar
- The mistake was only discovered two days before the crucial final exam, leaving students devastated and anxious
- The Queensland Education Minister has launched an urgent investigation into the blunder, vowing to ensure affected students are not disadvantaged
In a shocking education blunder, 140 Year 12 students at nine Queensland high schools, including one of Brisbane’s most prestigious, were taught the wrong ancient history topic for their final exam. The mistake, which was only discovered two days before the crucial test, has left students in tears and sparked an angry “please explain” from the state’s education minister.
The students, who were supposed to learn about Julius Caesar, were instead taught about Augustus Caesar. The error was identified by teachers just 48 hours before the exam, which counts towards their ATAR scores. “I have made it very clear to the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) that this is not good enough,” a furious Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek said.
“I have directed the Director-General of the Department of Education to urgently investigate how the QCAA communicates with schools to implement syllabus changes. I have also asked the QCAA to ensure this does not impact on the overall grade of affected students. My department will continue to provide support to all students and families.”
One of the affected schools, Brisbane State High, has arranged cram sessions for students and shared an electronic resources pack to help them prepare for the exam. The school will also lodge an Illness and Misadventure application for the assessment of the entire cohort. “This will ensure consideration is given to the circumstances when student results are finalised,” a department spokesman said.
QCAA chief executive officer Claude Jones said schools were notified of the topic for the Ancient History external exam more than 12 months in advance. “Our assessment experts will apply additional quality assurance processes when marking these exam responses,” he said. “The QCAA is committed to ensuring every student receives fair and accurate results.”