Coimisiún na Scrúduithe Stáit State Examinations Commission. Leaving Certificate Examination Result Appeal Process

Transcription

1 Coimisiún na Scrúduithe Stáit State Examinations Commission Leaving Certificate Examination 2011 Result Appeal Process

2 Introduction Leaving Certificate Examination 2011 Before the start of the written examinations in June last, the State Examinations Commission (SEC) published a booklet which covered the running of the examination, the marking and results process and the arrangements for viewing marked scripts. This Result Appeal Process booklet is intended to assist candidates in making a decision to appeal their provisional results. It repeats the information in regard to viewing of marked scripts and explains how applications to have results appealed are processed. It answers questions most frequently asked by candidates and parents. We hope that you find this booklet useful. If you require more information on this or any aspect of the operation of the Leaving Certificate, please contact: The State Examinations Commission Cornamaddy Athlone Co. Westmeath Tel: (090) , Fax No: (090) Or visit our Website: Issue Of The Provisional Results What are the arrangements for issuing the results in 2011? The results are scheduled for delivery to schools on Wednesday, 17th August, The SEC will also transmit the results of all candidates electronically to the Central Applications Office (CAO). This means that while the statements of results are in the course of issue to schools the CAO is able to process results without delay. This brings about the earliest possible issue of higher education place offers to candidates. Dial-Up Result Service and Internet Access It is possible to access your examination results via telephone and internet, using the Personal Identification Number already provided and your examination number. This year both services (Telephone & Internet) will operate from 12 noon on Wednesday 17th August. The telephone and internet services are intended as an alternative service, if for some reason, candidates are unable to avail of the results service offered by their schools. These services are not intended to replace the valuable service and advice provided to candidates by schools at result time each year. In addition, candidates have access to all of the supporting documentation necessary to avail of the appeal and viewing processes at their schools. Details of the telephone numbers for the dial-up result service are: Number to call within the Republic of Ireland: Calls cost 33c per minute (incl. VAT.). Calls from payphones and mobiles may cost more. Number to call from outside the Republic of Ireland: (International call rates apply). This service is only accessible by use of a tone telephone. Technical Support: If you are experiencing technical difficulties using this service you can call Technical Support on The address for access to results via the Internet is 1

3 What is the format of the results? Initially schools and candidates are supplied with a statement of provisional results. A copy is provided for you and a copy for retention by your school. A supplementary or extra report is also provided in any case where a candidate s result in a multicomponent subject does not contain credit for an essential component. For example, if you did not sit Paper 1 in Irish you will get no credit for that paper in the overall grade. A supplementary report will issue with your result confirming that no credit was given for Paper 1. This allows you to satisfy yourself that all components taken by you have been taken into account in determining your final grade. Your school will be in a position to advise you of what to do if you receive such a report with your results and will contact the SEC on your behalf if necessary. What happens after the results are issued? For the first week following the issue of the results the SEC operates a helpline for schools. The purpose of this is to allow schools to rapidly resolve any problems with the content of a result statement or supplementary report. The helpline is not part of the appeal process and does not involve any re-marking of a candidate s work. Remarking occurs only when a candidate appeals a result. Each year the National Parent s Council (Post-Primary) organises a very valuable helpline, providing advice and guidance for candidates and parents, staffed by professional guidance counsellors, for one week following the issue of the results and for one week following the issue of the CAO offers. The Free phone No. for the helpline is For general enquiries the National Parent s Council (Post-Primary) telephone number is (01) (Note: These numbers are not operated by the State Examinations Commission) Will I be able to view my scripts this year? Yes. When you receive your results your school will also have a personalised application form provided by the SEC which will show your examination details including your subjects. If you decide you would like to view a particular script(s), you mark the form accordingly. You must return the completed form to the school by Tuesday, 23r d August, What happens next? The Organising Superintendent appointed by the SEC to your school will assign you to one of the viewing sessions. The viewing sessions will be held as follows:- Friday 2nd September from 6.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m. (Session 1) Saturday 3rd September from 9.00 a.m. to noon (Session2) Saturday 3rd September from 2.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m. (Session 3) You will receive a postcard from the Organising Superintendent assigning you to one of these sessions in advance of September 2nd. A more detailed information note for candidates, explaining the examiner s markings, calculation of grades, etc. is included in the Appendix at the end of this booklet. Copies of the information note will also be available from the Organising Superintendent. May I be accompanied during the viewing of my scripts? Yes. You may be accompanied by one other person at any one time. NOTE:- Candidates, or those accompanying them, may not interfere with or copy examination material. Writing instruments (such as pens, pencils or any other electronic devices such as mobile phones, cameras or any other recording device) are not permitted in the viewing centre. 2

4 For security reasons, a number of scripts are photocopied prior to dispatching original scripts for viewing and the photocopies are retained by the SEC. What can I do if I think there is an error in the marking of my script? The appeals procedure is described below. In making an appeal, you are allowed to bring specific issues to the attention of the appeal examiner. If so, you should complete a Form AP1 which is available from the Organising Superintendent in your viewing centre and ask the Organising Superintendent to attach it to your script as part of the appeal application. Please be as specific as possible in your comments. The Appeal Application Procedure How do I appeal? The SEC will provide your school with a personalised appeal application form. If you are an external candidate the form will be enclosed with your results. This form is designed so that you can indicate the subject(s) you wish to appeal. Do I need to have viewed my scripts in order to make an appeal? No. However the SEC recommends that any candidate considering an appeal should view their script(s) in order to make an informed decision. By viewing your script you will have the opportunity to see how the published marking scheme has been applied to your work. What is the appeal fee? The appeal fee is per subject in the case of the Leaving Certificate and in the case of the Leaving Certificate Applied. Appeal Fees must be paid in advance. The fee will be refunded to you if your result is upgraded. The refund will be made through your school if you are entered by a school. How do I pay my appeal fee? For an appeal to be valid you must pay by either of the following methods:- (a) by bank giro using the giro form provided on your personalised appeal application form; or, (b) by credit card using the Appeals Payment Service on (a) Bank Giro: Your personalised appeal application form and associated bank giro form contains a unique reference number, which enables the SEC to trace your payment and match it with your appeal application, when it is received from your school. You should take the form to a bank and pay the fee through the bank giro facility. The form duly stamped by the bank should then be returned to the school so that your scripts can be associated with it and returned to the SEC. Please ensure that you only use the bank giro form provided by the SEC. If you use a bank giro slip provided by the bank (which does not have a unique identifier) it may delay or totally invalidate your appeal because it could prove difficult to relate your payment to your appeal application. (b) Follow the instructions provided on the on-line Appeal Payment Service. When you have paid your appeal fee on-line you must print the form provided, showing the subject(s) which you have opted to appeal. This form must be returned to the school so that your scripts can be associated with it and returned to the SEC. If you are an external candidate (E10) you should return your personalised appeal application form/internet form c/o the 3

5 Organising Superintendent at the centre where your scripts were available for viewing, so that he/she can forward your appeal application to the SEC with your script(s). What is the appeal closing date? Appeal applications must be with the SEC by Wednesday 7th September This means that the schools will have to post applications on Tuesday 6th September. If you choose to view your scripts before finally deciding whether or not to appeal you will need to arrange to pay the fee and return the form to the school on Monday 5th September or early on Tuesday 6th September. This is quite a confined time interval but is necessary if the SEC is to have the outcome of the appeal process available by mid-october. If you decide to appeal, your appeal is clearly important to you. You alone have control over and responsibility for, the vital first steps in making a valid appeal: use the giro form provided, ensuring it is correctly completed or pay on-line and print down the appeal form provided return it on time to the School/Organising Superintendent. The Actual Appeal Process What happens during the appeal process? Your script is sent to an appeal examiner for re-marking. This examiner is different from the examiner who originally marked your work. In some subjects involving practical/project work it may be necessary for an appeal examiner to visit the school to re-mark work stored by the school. Is the same marking scheme used for re-marking? Yes, it is essential in the interests of equity and fairness that the re-marking on appeal is carried out in accordance with the marking scheme for that subject. This ensures that appeal examiners apply the same standards in re-marking as were applied to all candidates in the original marking. The Organising Superintendent at the viewing session will have copies of the marking schemes and they will also be published on If I am just a few marks short of the next grade am I likely to be awarded them on appeal? Not necessarily. The appeal process exists to ensure that the marking scheme has been applied consistently and fairly to your work. Appeal examiners are not searching for additional marks to bring a candidate up to the next grade. In justice to all other candidates who took the examination, examiners can award only those marks due to you according to the marking scheme. For example, it is quite possible for a candidate to be 1 mark short of the next grade point in a subject with maximum of 600 marks. The appeal examiner does not conduct the appeal on the basis of seeking that additional mark for the candidate. Indeed, it is possible that the appeal examiner could either add or deduct marks as the marking scheme is applied afresh, question by question, to your work. Can a result be downgraded on appeal? Yes, the results published in August are provisional and accordingly a result can be downgraded in certain circumstances. This is because the appeal process exists to ensure that the marking scheme was fully and properly applied to the work produced at the examination. Consistent and fair application of the marking schemes ensures equitable treatment for all candidates. 4

6 In what circumstances can a downgrade occur? A downgrade could result automatically if a candidate loses sufficient marks for any of the following factual/technical reasons:- (a) there is a clear error in the summation of marks or there has been incorrect inclusion of marks, (e.g., credit given for a question or part of a question that should have been disallowed), and/or, (b) if a candidate has been awarded marks for an answer that is clearly and unambiguously not in accordance with the marking scheme. In addition, a Chief Examiner can recommend a downgrade where the reduction in marks derives from an error of judgement by the examiner (as distinct from (a) and (b) above). In such circumstances a downgrade would not normally occur where there is a marginal difference. In other words, a revised lower mark is only reckoned where the Chief Examiner considers it to be in line with the criteria set out in the marking scheme and the standard applied in the original marking. Are there likely to be many downgrades? The expectation is that the number of downgrades should be relatively small. This is because candidates have an opportunity to view their scripts and the expectation is that only those who clearly believe that there are reasonable grounds for an appeal will seek one. It is important therefore to carefully review your marked script before reaching the decision whether or not to appeal. When will I receive my appeal results? The Leaving Certificate appeal results are issued in mid-october each year. During the limited timeframe between the closing date for the receipt of appeal applications and the issue of the appeal results, some four and a half weeks later, the actual re-marking of candidates work takes place. Examination scripts must be retrieved from schools, distributed to examiners, fully remarked by examiners, with appropriate monitoring and quality assurance processes applied and returned to the SEC for results processing. The relationship between the examinations system and entry to third level education is largely beyond the control of the SEC. Offers of third level places are made on the basis of the provisional results issued in August. There are good reasons for this because to delay offering places until the appeals process was completed would impact upon the start date for the academic year and thus disadvantage the overwhelming majority of students whose provisional results are their final results. The SEC makes every effort to process the results of appeals as quickly as possible in order to facilitate the college entry process, balanced with the need to allow the appeal examiners sufficient time to carry out a thorough re-marking of candidates work. The SEC automatically informs the CAO of all changes of results. Applications to the Independent Appeals Scrutineers If I am unhappy with the outcome of the appeal process is there anything further I can do? Yes. You may get formal confirmation from an Independent Appeals Scrutineer that all appeal processes were carried out properly. Independent Appeals Scrutineers are independent of the SEC. A Scrutineer will have the power to request all documentation in relation to your appeal to establish that procedures were properly carried out. In making an application to an Appeals 5

7 Scrutineer you may opt to view a re-marked script and following the viewing you may make observations on any matter in the script as part of the application process to the Scrutineers. The Secretariat to the Scrutineers, in preparing to submit your application for consideration by the Scrutineers, will first seek clarification from the SEC on any matters raised by you with the Scrutineers in relation to your script. This will be done so that the Scrutineers can fully consider your application. Seeking Rectification Outside the Appeal Process Outside of the formal appeal process, what can I do if, on viewing a script, I see what I believe is a clear discrepancy between the mark awarded and the grade awarded? In the event that you discover a clear and substantial discrepancy between the mark awarded and the grade awarded, you should ask the Organising Superintendent for a Form AP1 and complete it in accordance with the instructions. The Organising Superintendent will attach Form AP1 to your script and send it to the SEC in Athlone where it will receive immediate attention. The SEC operates this facility of seeking rectification outside of the appeals process solely for the purpose of putting right:- (a) errors of transcription of the overall mark awarded by the examiner from the answerbook to the marking sheet on the part of the examiner; and/or, (b) errors in the keying of the mark from the marking sheet onto the examinations database on the part of the SEC s administrative staff. You should note that this facility applies only where it is clear that the total mark awarded is inconsistent with the grade awarded and where the matter can be resolved administratively (i.e., without recourse to the examination paper or the marking scheme). The test therefore for what can receive immediate attention after the viewing of scripts is a very rigorous one. Any issue of interpretation regarding: disallowed questions, computation of marks, the application of the marking scheme, claims that work has not been fully marked, can be resolved only through the formal appeal process and the re-application of the marking scheme by an appeal examiner. Candidates who opt for this administrative facility should be aware that, because of the short time interval involved, they are unlikely to know the outcome in relation to their claim before the passing of the appeal deadline. It may be prudent therefore, to lodge a formal appeal, so that in the event that the point raised is not upheld or requires interpretation by an Examiner, you will not have denied yourself access to the appeals process because of the passing of the appeal deadline. In the event that the point raised is upheld, you will be afforded the opportunity to withdraw the appeal application and the appeal fee will be refunded subsequently. 6

8 APPENDIX INFORMATION NOTE FOR CANDIDATES VIEWING OF MARKED SCRIPTS To facilitate the pre-appeal viewing of your marked script/s and to assist you in deciding whether or not to appeal, you may wish to bear the following points in mind during the session allocated to you: 1. The grid on the cover of the answerbook contains the total mark for each numbered question. The total mark for the entire paper (including bonus marks, if any, for answering through Irish) is in the box in the grid marked "Mór-Iomlán". 2. In the case of subjects with more than one component e.g. Paper1, Paper 2, oral, aural etc., the mark for each component is input individually and processed electronically. 3. If you wish to learn more about the marks in the grid for any question, you may view the marks within the answerbook bearing the following points in mind: (a) The answerbook will have been marked by at least one examiner and also, in some cases, by an Advising Examiner and may have many marks in different hands and colours. (b) Marks inside Square Brackets denote disallowed marks for answers to questions/parts of questions in excess of the number of questions permitted for the paper. (c) Marks enclosed in a circle near the Question Number in the left hand margin are the total marks awarded to that question corresponding with the marks recorded for that question in the grid on the cover of the answerbook. 4. Calculation of grade. Your grade in each case has been calculated on the basis of the total mark you obtained measured against the maximum mark of the subject. In the grading process, marks are not converted to percentages and rounded up or down. The process is mark specific. This means changes in grade occur at specific mark points on the mark scale of the subject. For example in a subject with maximum mark of 400, the mark required for a grade C3 is 220 and the mark required for an A1 is 360. On that basis a mark of 219 is a D1 and a mark of 359 is an A2. Some candidates awarded a grade D3 may discover that their total mark is actually below the 40% boundary between D3 and E. This is because of a longstanding practice in place since the introduction of the grading system in 1969 to award a grade D with a tolerance of up to 2%. This does not apply at any other grade boundary. N.B. Marks awarded in Oral, Practical or Project Work are not made available. 5 The scripts are being provided for viewing in order to facilitate you in deciding whether or not to appeal a result. Any issue that arises during the viewing that is of concern to you can be addressed only through the formal appeal process using Form AP1 (available from the Organising Superintendent). Form AP1 must be completed outside the viewing centre. Superintendents at the viewing centre will not provide clarification to candidates / to the person accompanying candidates or advise them in any way in relation to the marking process. 6. A candidate or any person accompanying him/her must not bring writing instruments, mobile phones or cameras into the viewing centre. 7

9 Coimisiún na Scrúduithe Stáit State Examinations Commission Scrúdú Árdteistiméireachta 2011 Próiseas Achomhairc Torthaí

10 Réamhrá Scrúdú Ardteistiméireachta 2011 Sular thosaigh na scrúduithe scríofa i mí an Mheithimh seo caite d fhoilsigh Coimisiún na Scrúduithe Stáit (CSS) leabhrán inar cuireadh síos ar reáchtáil na scrúduithe, ar an marcáil agus ar phróiseas na dtorthaí, agus ar na socruithe le haghaidh na scripteanna marcáilte a bhreathnú. Is é cuspóir an leabhráin seo, Próiseas Achomhairc Torthaí, cabhrú leis na hiarrthóirí cinneadh a dhéanamh faoina gcuid torthaí sealadacha a achomharc. Tugtar an athuair an t-eolas maidir le breathnú ar scripteanna marcáilte agus mínítear an tslí a bpróiseáiltear iarratais ar thorthaí a achomharc. Freagraítear na príomhcheisteanna a chuireann iarrthóirí agus tuismitheoirí. Tá súil againn go mbeidh an leabhrán seo úsáideach agat. Má bhíonn tuilleadh eolais uait ar an ábhar seo nó ar aon ghné d fheidhmiú na hardteistiméireachta déan teagmháil linn: Coimisiún na Scrúduithe Stáit Corr na Madadh Baile Átha Luain Co. na hiarmhí Fón: (090) , Facs: (090) nó féach ar ár suíomh gréasáin: Eisiúint na dtorthaí Sealadacha Cad iad na socruithe le haghaidh eisiúint na dtorthaí in 2011? Tá sé i gceist na torthaí a sheachadadh chuig na scoileanna Dé Céadaoin, 17 Lúnasa, Cuirfidh CSS torthaí na n-iarrthóirí go leictreonach chuig an Lár-Oifig Iontrála. Ciallaíonn sé sin go mbeidh ar chumas na Lár-Oifige Iontrála na torthaí a próiseáil gan mhoill le linn do ráitis na dtorthaí a bheith ar a mbealach go dtí na scoileanna. Cinnteoidh sé sin go n-eiseofar tairiscintí ar áiteanna sna coláistí ardoideachais chomh luath agus is féidir. Seirbhís chun Torthaí a fháil ar an Teileafón agus ar an Idirlíon Is féidir leas a bhaint as an Uimhir Aitheantais Phearsanta (PIN) a tugadh amach cheana agus do scrúduimhir chun do chuid torthaí a fháil ar an teileafón nó ar an Idirlíon. Beidh an dá sheirbhís sin (teileafón agus Idirlíon) ar fáil ó mheán lae Dé Céadaoin, 17 Lúnasa. Tá na seirbhísí teileafóin agus Idirlín ar fáil mar sheirbhísí malartacha má tharlaíonn, ar chúis éigin, nach féidir le hiarrthóirí leas a bhaint as an tseirbhís torthaí a chuireann na scoileanna ar fáil. Níl sé i gceist go nglacfaidh na seirbhísí sin áit na seirbhíse agus na comhairle luachmhaire a chuireann na scoileanna ar fáil d iarrthóirí tráth na dtorthaí gach bliain. Chomh maith leis sin, is sa scoil a bheidh teacht ag na hiarrthóirí ar fad ar na cáipéisí tacaíochta a bheidh riachtanach chun leas a bhaint as an bpróiseas achomhairc agus chun breathnú ar scripteanna. Is iad seo mionsonraí na n-uimhreacha teileafóin chun seirbhís torthaí a fháil ar an teileafón: An uimhir le glaoch air laistigh de Phoblacht na héireann: Cosnaíonn glaonna 33c an nóiméad (CBL san áireamh). D fhéadfadh sé go gcosnóidh glaonna ó tháillefóin agus ó fhóin phóca níos mó ná sin. An uimhir le glaoch air lasmuigh de Phoblacht na héireann: (Bíonn rátaí na nglaonna idirnáisiúnta le híoc.) Le teileafón tadhalltoin amháin atá an tseirbhís seo ar fáil. Tacaíocht Theicniúil: Is féidir glaoch ar fhoireann na Tacaíochta Teicniúla má bhíonn fadhbanna teicniúla agat agus tú ag iarraidh leas a bhaint as an tseirbhís seo. Is é an uimhir ná Is é an seoladh mar a bhfuil teacht ar na torthaí ar an Idirlíon ná 1

11 Cén fhormáid a bhíonn ar na torthaí? Tugtar ráiteas torthaí sealadacha do na scoileanna agus do na hiarrthóirí i dtosach. Cuirtear cóip ar fáil duitse agus cóip le coinneáil ag an scoil. Cuirtear tuairisc fhorlíontach nó bhreise ar fáil freisin in aon chás nár tugadh creidiúint d iarrthóir sa toradh as comhpháirt riachtanach in ábhar ilchodach. Mar shampla, mura ndearna tú Páipéar 1 sa Ghaeilge ní bhfaighidh tú aon chreidiúint as an bpáipéar sin sa ghrád iomlán. Eiseofar ráiteas forlíontach le do thoradh ag deimhniú nár tugadh aon chreidiúint as Páipéar 1. Cuireann sin ar do chumas a dhéanamh cinnte de gur cuireadh gach comhpháirt a rinne tú san áireamh nuair a socraíodh do ghrád deiridh. Beidh do scoil ábalta comhairle a chur ort faoin rud ba chóir a dhéanamh má fhaigheann tú tuairisc mar sin le do chuid torthaí agus rachaidh siad i dteagmháil le CSS ar do shon más gá. Cad a tharlaíonn tar éis na torthaí a eisiúint? Beidh líne chabhrach ag CSS do scoileanna ar feadh na chéad seachtaine tar éis na torthaí a eisiúint. Is é an cuspóir atá leis sin deis a thabhairt do scoileanna réiteach tapa a fháil ar aon fhadhbanna a bhainfidh lena mbeidh i ráiteas torthaí nó i dtuairisc fhorlíontach. Ní cuid den phróiseas achomhairc í an líne chabhrach agus ní bhaineann aon athmharcáil ar obair an iarrthóra leis. Ní tharlaíonn athmharcáil ach amháin nuair a dhéanann iarrthóir achomharc ar thoradh. Bíonn líne fhíorluachmhar chabhrach ag Comhairle Náisiúnta na dtuismitheoirí (Iarbhunoideachais) gach bliain. Bíonn comhairleoirí gairmiúla treorach ag obair leo ar feadh seachtaine tar éis eisiúint na dtorthaí agus ar feadh seachtaine tar éis eisiúint na dtairiscintí ag an Lár-Oifig Iontrála chomh maith. Cuireann siad comhairle agus treoir ar fáil d iarrthóirí agus do thuismitheoirí araon. Bíonn líne chabhrach ag an gcomhairle. Is í uimhir shaorfhóin na líne chabhrach sin ná Is í an uimhir atá ag Comhairle Náisiúnta na dtuismitheoirí (Iarbhunoideachais) má tá fiosrúchán ginearálta le déanamh ná (01) (Nóta: Níl na huimhreacha sin á riar ag Coimisiún na Scrúduithe Stáit.) An mbeidh mé in ann breathnú ar mo scripteanna i mbliana? Beidh. Nuair a gheobhaidh tú do chuid torthaí cuirfidh CSS foirm iarratais phearsanaithe ar fáil do do scoil a thaispeánfaidh mionsonraí do scrúduithe, do chuid ábhar san áireamh. Má chinneann tú gur mhaith leat breathnú ar script(eanna) áirithe, marcálann tú an fhoirm dá réir. Caithfidh tú an fhoirm chomhlánaithe a chur ar ais chuig an scoil faoi Dé Máirt, 23 Lúnasa, Cad a tharlaíonn ina dhiaidh sin? An Feitheoir Eagrúcháin a cheapfaidh CSS i do scoilse, iarrfaidh sé/sí ort a bheith i láthair ag ceann de na seisiúin bhreathnóireachta. Is mar seo a leanas a thionólfar na seisiúin bhreathnóireachta: Dé haoine, 2 Meán Fómhair ó 6.00 p.m. go dtí 9.00 p.m. (Seisiún 1) Dé Sathairn, 3 Meán Fómhair ó 9.00 a.m. go dtí meán lae (Seisiún 2) Dé Sathairn, 3 Meán Fómhair ó 2.00 p.m. go dtí 5.00 p.m. (Seisiún 3) Gheobhaidh tú cárta poist ón bhfeitheoir Eagrúcháin roimh 2 Meán Fómhair ar a ndéarfar leat cén seisiún ar chóir a bheith ann. San Aguisín i ndeireadh an leabhráin seo gheobhaidh tú nóta ina bhfuil tuilleadh d iarrthóirí ina mínítear marcálacha an scrúdaitheora, ríomhadh an ghráid, etc. Beidh cóipeanna den nóta eolais sin ar fáil ón bhfeitheoir Eagrúcháin freisin. An bhfuil cead ag aon duine a bheith i mo chomhluadar a fhad is a bheidh mé ag breathnú ar mo scripteanna? Tá cead ag duine amháin eile a bheith i do chomhluadar aon am ar bith. TABHAIR AR AIRD: Ní fhéadfaidh iarrthóirí, ná aon duine a bheidh ina gcomhluadar, cur isteach ar ábhar scrúdaithe ná aon ábhar scrúdaithe a chóipeáil. Ní cheadófar uirlisí scríbhneoireachta (pinn ná pinn luaidhe, mar shampla) ná aon ghléas leictreonach (fóin phóca, ceamaraí ná aon ghléas taifeadta 2

12 eile, mar shampla) san ionad breathnóireachta. Ar chúiseanna slándála, déantar roinnt scripteanna a fhótachóipeáil sula seoltar na scripteanna bunaidh amach go mbreathnófaí orthu agus coimeádann CSS na fótachóipeanna. Cad is féidir liom a dhéanamh má cheapaim go ndearnadh botún i marcáil mo scripte? Tá cur síos ar nós imeachta na n-achomharc thíos. Agus tú ag déanamh achomhairc, tá cead agat nithe áirithe a thabhairt ar aird an scrúdaitheora achomhairc. Más mian leat sin a dhéanamh, ba chóir duit Foirm AP1, atá ar fáil ón bhfeitheoir Eagrúcháin i d ionad breathnóireachta, a chomhlánú agus ba chóir a iarraidh ar an bhfeitheoir Eagrúcháin í a cheangal de do script mar chuid den iarratas ar achomharc. Iarrtar ort a bheidh chomh cruinn beacht agus is féidir sa nóta a scríobhfaidh tú. Nós Imeachta an Iarratais ar Achomharc Conas a dhéanaim achomharc? Cuirfidh CSS foirm iarratais phearsanaithe ar achomharc ar fáil do do scoil. Más iarrthóir seachtrach thú beidh an fhoirm in éineacht le do thorthaí. Rinneadh an fhoirm a dhearadh ionas gur féidir leat a léiriú cén t-ábhar/cé na hábhair is mian leat achomharc a dhéanamh ina leith. An gá dom breathnú ar mo scripteanna chun achomharc a dhéanamh? Ní gá. Molann CSS d aon iarrthóir atá ag smaoineamh ar achomharc a dhéanamh, áfach, breathnú ar a script(eanna) chun a bheith eolach agus cinneadh á dhéanamh aige/aici. Má bhreathnaíonn tú ar do script beidh deis agat a fheiceáil conas a cuireadh an scéim mharcála fhoilsithe i bhfeidhm ar do chuid oibre. Cad é an táille atá ar achomharc? Is é an táille achomhairc in aghaidh an ábhair i gcás Scrúdú na hardteistiméireachta agus in aghaidh an ábhair i gcás Scrúdú na hardteistiméireachta Feidhmí. Bíonn táille na n- achomharc le híoc roimh ré. Déanfar an táille a aisíoc leat má uasghrádaítear do thoradh. Déanfar an t-aisíoc trí do scoil más í an scoil a rinne tú a iontráil. Conas a íocfaidh mé an táille achomhairc? Le go mbeidh achomharc bailí caithfidh tú íoc ar cheann den dá bhealach seo: (a) le foirm an ghíoró bainc ar d fhoirm iarratais phearsanaithe ar achomharc; nó (b) le cárta creidmheasa trí Sheirbhís Íocaíochta na nachomharc ar (a) Gíoró Bainc: Tá uimhir thagartha ar leith ar d fhoirm iarratais phearsanaithe ar achomharc, agus ar fhoirm an ghíoró bainc a ghabhann leis, a chuirfidh ar chumas CSS d íocaíocht a rianú agus a chomhcheangal le d iarratas ar achomharc nuair a fhaightear ó do scoil é. Ba chóir duit an fhoirm a thabhairt go dtí banc agus an táille a íoc le saoráid an ghíoró bainc. Ba chóir an fhoirm a chur ar ais ansin chuig an scoil agus í stampáilte go cuí ag an mbanc ionas gur féidir do scripteanna a nascadh léi agus iad a chur ar ais chuig CSS. Déan cinnte de, le do thoil, go mbaine tú úsáid as foirm an ghíoró bainc a chuirfidh an Coimisiún ar fáil duit, agus as sin amháin. Má bhaineann tú úsáid as duillín gíoró bainc a sholáthraíonn an banc (nach bhfuil an uimhir aitheantais ar leith air) d fhéadfadh sé moill a chur ar d achomharc, nó é a dhéanamh neamhbhailí, mar go bhféadfadh sé a bheith deacair ceangal a dhéanamh idir an íocaíocht agus an t-iarratas ar achomharc. (b) Lean na treoracha ar Sheirbhís Íocaíochta na nachomharc. Nuair a bheidh táille an achomhairc íoctha ar líne agat ní mór duit an fhoirm a chuirfear ar fáil a chlóbhualadh. Taispeánfaidh an fhoirm an t-ábhar / na hábhair ar roghnaigh tú achomharc a dhéanamh air/orthu. Ní mór an fhoirm sin a thabhairt chuig an scoil ionas gur féidir do scripteanna a nascadh léi agus iad a chur ar ais chuig CSS.Más iarrthóir seachtrach thú (E10) ba chóir duit d fhoirm iarratais phearsanaithe 3

13 ar achomharc/d fhoirm Idirlín a chur ar ais f/ch an Fheitheora Eagrúcháin sa lárionad inar bhreathnaigh tú ar do scripteanna ionas gur féidir leis/léi d iarratas ar achomharc a chur ar aghaidh chuig CSS le do script(eanna). Cad é an dáta deiridh le haghaidh achomhairc? Caithfidh iarratais ar achomharc a bheith ag CSS faoi Dé Céadaoin, 7 Meán Fómhair Ciallaíonn sé sin go gcaithfidh na scoileanna na hiarratais a sheoladh Dé Máirt, 6 Meán Fómhair. Má roghnaíonn tú breathnú ar do scripteanna sula gcinneann tú ar deireadh cé acu a dhéanfaidh tú achomharc nó nach ndéanfaidh, caithfidh tú socrú a dhéanamh an táille a íoc agus an fhoirm a chur ar ais chuig an scoil Dé Luain, 5 Meán Fómhair nó go luath Dé Máirt, 6 Meán Fómhair. Is tréimhse sách gearr é sin ach is mar sin a chaithfidh sé a bheith má tá CSS le toradh an phróisis achomhairc a chur ar fáil faoi lár Dheireadh Fómhair. Má chinneann tú ar achomharc a dhéanamh, is léir go bhfuil tábhacht leis an achomharc sin duit. Is agatsa amháin atá smacht ar na chéad chéimeanna tábhachtacha in achomharc bailí a dhéanamh, agus is tusa amháin atá freagrach astu: bain úsáid as an bhfoirm ghíoró a chuirfear ar fáil agus déan cinnte de go mbeidh sí comhlánaithe i gceart nó íoc ar líne agus clóbhuail an fhoirm achomhairc a gheobhaidh tú ansin cuir ar ais in am trátha chuig an Scoil nó chuig an bhfeitheoir Eagrúcháin í. An Próiseas Achomhairc Féin Cad a tharlaíonn i rith an phróisis achomhairc? Seoltar do script chuig scrúdaitheoir achomhairc i gcomhair athmharcála. Ní hé an scrúdaitheoir a mharcáil do chuid oibre i dtosach a dhéanfaidh í a mharcáil an t-am seo. I roinnt ábhar lena mbaineann obair phraiticiúil/tionscadail, d fhéadfadh sé go mbeidh ar scrúdaitheoir achomhairc dul go dtí an scoil le hathmharcáil a dhéanamh ar an obair a stórálann an scoil. An mbíonn an scéim mharcála chéanna in úsáid san athmharcáil? Bíonn. Is den ríthábhacht é ar mhaithe le comhionannas agus cothroime go ndéanfar an athmharcáil ar achomharc de réir na scéime marcála don ábhar sin. Cinnteoidh sé sin go gcuirfidh na scrúdaitheoirí achomhairc na caighdeáin chéanna i bhfeidhm ar an athmharcáil agus a cuireadh i bhfeidhm i gcás na n-iarrthóirí uile an chéad uair a marcáladh an scrúdú. Beidh cóipeanna de na scéimeanna marcála ag an bhfeitheoir Eagrúcháin ag an seisiún breathnóireachta agus foilseofar freisin iad ar Má tá mé díreach roinnt marcanna gann ar an gcéad ghrád eile an dócha go mbronnfar orm iad ar achomharc? Ní gá go mbronnfaí. Tá an próiseas achomhairc ann lena chinntiú gur cuireadh an scéim mharcála i bhfeidhm go leanúnach agus go cothrom ar do chuid oibre. Ní bhíonn scrúdaitheoirí achomhairc ag cuardach marcanna breise chun iarrthóir a thabhairt suas go dtí an chéad ghrád eile. Le bheith cóir leis na hiarrthóirí eile ar fad a rinne an scrúdú, ní féidir leis na scrúdaitheoirí ach na marcanna sin atá dlite duit de réir na scéime marcála a bhronnadh. Mar shampla, d fhéadfadh sé go mbeadh iarrthóir aon mharc amháin gann ar an gcéad phointe gráid eile in ábhar a bhfuil uasmhéid 600 marc ann. Ní théann an scrúdaitheoir achomhairc i mbun an achomhairc ar bhonn a bheith ag lorg an mharc breise sin don iarrthóir. Go deimhin d fhéadfadh scrúdaitheoir achomhairc marcanna a chur leis na marcanna a fuair tú cheana nó marcanna a bhaint uathu de réir mar a chuirtear an scéim mharcála i bhfeidhm as an nua, ceist ar cheist, ar do chuid oibre. An féidir toradh a íosghrádú ar achomharc? Is féidir. Is torthaí sealadacha na torthaí a fhoilseofar i mí Lúnasa agus dá réir sin is féidir toradh a íosghrádú i gcásanna áirithe. Tarlaíonn sin mar gheall air go bhfuil an próiseas achomhairc ann lena chinntiú gur cuireadh an scéim mharcála i bhfeidhm go hiomlán agus go cuí ar an obair a rinneadh sa scrúdú. Cinntíonn feidhmiú leanúnach cothrom na scéimeanna marcála go gcaitear go cothrom leis na hiarrthóirí ar fad. 4

14 Cad iad na tosca inar féidir le híosghrádú tarlú? Tarlóidh íosghrádú sa ghnáthchúrsa má chailleann iarrthóir dóthain marcanna ar aon cheann de na cúiseanna fíorasacha/teicniúla seo a leanas: (a) earráid shoiléir a bheith i suimiú na marcanna nó marcanna curtha san áireamh nár cheart a bheith, e.g. má tugadh creidiúint d iarrthóir as ceist nó as cuid de cheist ba chóir a dhícheadú; agus/nó, (b) má bronnadh marcanna ar iarrthóir as freagra ar léir agus ar cinnte nach bhfuil sé de réir na scéime marcála. Sa bhreis air sin, is féidir le Príomh-Scrúdaitheoir íosghrádú a mholadh sa chás go n-éiríonn an laghdú ar na marcanna as earráid bhreithiúnais a rinne scrúdaitheoir (rud nach ionann agus na pointí atá luaite ag (a) agus (b) thuas). I dtosca den sórt sin ní tharlódh íosghrádú de ghnáth sa chás gur difríocht anbheag a bheadh ann. I bhfocail eile, ní áirítear marc athbhreithnithe a bheadh níos ísle ach amháin sa chás go measann an Príomh-Scrúdaitheoir é a bheith ag teacht leis na critéir atá leagtha síos sa scéim mharcála agus leis an gcaighdeán a cuireadh i bhfeidhm sa mharcáil an chéad lá. An dócha go ndéanfar íosghrádú go minic? Táthar ag súil leis gur líon réasúnta beag grád a íosghrádófar. Bíonn deis ag iarrthóirí breathnú ar a gcuid scripteanna agus táthar ag súil leis nach ndéanfaidh achomharc ach na daoine a chreideann go bhfuil cúis réasúnta ann le déanamh amhlaidh. Tá sé tábhachtach, dá bhrí sin, breathnú go cúramach ar do script mharcáilte sula ndéanann tú cinneadh ar cé acu a dhéanfaidh tú achomharc nó nach ndéanfaidh. Cén uair a gheobhaidh mé torthaí na n-achomharc? Eisítear torthaí na n-achomharc san Ardteistiméireacht i lár mhí Dheireadh Fómhair gach bliain. Déantar obair na n-iarrthóirí a athmharcáil sa tréimhse ghairid idir an dáta deiridh a nglactar le hiarratais ar achomharc agus eisiúint thorthaí na n-achomharc ceithre seachtaine go leith ina dhiaidh sin. Bíonn scripteanna na scrúduithe le tabhairt ar ais ó na scoileanna, le hathmharcáil go hiomlán ag scrúdaitheoirí bíonn an mhonatóireacht chuí agus an deimhniú cuí cáilíochta i bhfeidhm agus le seoladh ar ais chuig Coimisiún na Scrúduithe Stáit ionas go bpróiseálfar na torthaí. Níl smacht ag CSS ar an mbaint idir córas na scrúduithe agus an iontráil san oideachas tríú leibhéal. Is ar bhonn na dtorthaí sealadacha a eisítear i mí Lúnasa a dhéantar áiteanna sa chóras tríú leibhéal a thairiscint. Tá cúiseanna maithe leis sin. Dá bhfanfaí go mbeadh próiseas na n-achomharc críochnaithe sula ndéanfaí áiteanna a thairiscint, bheadh drochthionchar aige sin ar thús na bliana acadúla agus bheadh sé ina mhíbhuntáiste ag formhór na mac léinn arb iad a gcuid torthaí sealadacha na torthaí deiridh acu. Déanann CSS a ndícheall torthaí na n-achomharc a phróiseáil chomh gasta agus is féidir ionas go n- éascófar próiseas na hiontrála sna coláistí tríú leibhéal, ag cur san áireamh go mbíonn a ndóthain ama ag teastáil ó na scrúdaitheoirí achomhairc le hobair na n-iarrthóirí a athmharcáil go críochnúil. Cuireann CSS gach athrú ar na torthaí in iúl don Lár-Oifig Iontrála. Iarratais ar na Scrúdanóirí Achomhairc Neamhspleácha Má bhím míshásta le toradh an phróisis achomhairc an féidir liom aon rud eile a dhéanamh faoi? Is féidir leat deimhniú foirmiúil a fháil ó Scrúdanóir Achomhairc Neamhspleách gur comhlíonadh gach cuid den phróiseas achomhairc go cuí. Tá na Scrúdanóirí Achomhairc Neamhspleácha neamhspleách ar CSS. Beidh de chumhacht ag Scrúdanóir na cáipéisí go léir a bhaineann leis an achomharc a iarraidh féachaint ar leanadh na nósanna imeachta i gceart. Nuair a bhíonn iarratas á dhéanamh ar Scrúdanóir Achomhairc is féidir leat breathnú ar script athmharcáilte agus ina dhiaidh sin féadfaidh tú tuairimí a thabhairt ar aon ábhar sa script mar chuid de phróiseas an iarratais ar na Scrúdanóirí. Le linn dóibh a bheith ag ullmhú d iarratais lena chur ar 5

15 aghaidh lena bhreithniú ag na Scrúdanóirí, lorgóidh Rúnaíocht na Scrúdanóirí soiléiriú ar dtús ó CSS ar aon cheisteanna a luann tusa leis na Scrúdanóirí maidir le do script. Déanfar é sin ionas go bhféadfaidh na Scrúdanóirí d iarratas a bhreithniú go hiomlán. Ceartú a Lorg Lasmuigh den Phróiseas Achomhairc Lasmuigh den phróiseas foirmiúil achomhairc, cad is féidir liom a dhéanamh, ar bhreathnú ar mo script dom, má fheictear dom go bhfuil neamhréiteach soiléir idir na marcanna a bronnadh agus an grád a bronnadh? Sa chás go dtugann tú faoi deara go bhfuil neamhréiteach soiléir suntasach idir an marc a bronnadh agus an grád a bronnadh, ba chóir duit Foirm AP1 a iarraidh ar an bhfeitheoir Eagrúcháin agus í a chomhlánú de réir na dtreoracha. Ceanglóidh an Feitheoir Eagrúcháin Foirm AP1 le do script agus seolfar chuig an CSS i mbaile Átha Luain iad, áit a bpléifear láithreach leo. Is sa dá chás seo a leanas, agus sa dá chás seo amháin, a chuireann an Coimisiúin an deis seo ar fáil d iarrthóirí le ceartú a lorg taobh amuigh de phróiseas an achomhairc: (a) má rinne an scrúdaitheoir earráid agus an marc iomlán a bronnadh á aistriú ón bhfreagarleabhar go dtí an bhileog mharcála; agus/nó (b) má rinne foireann riaracháin CSS earráid agus an marc á aistriú ón mbileog mharcála agus á chlóscríobh ar bhunachar sonraí na scrúduithe. Ba chóir duit a thabhairt ar aird nach mbíonn an deis seo ar fáil ach amháin nuair is léir nach bhfuil an marc iomlán a bronnadh ag teacht leis an ngrád a bronnadh agus nuair is léir gur féidir leis an bhfoireann riaracháin an cheist a réiteach gan dul i muinín an cheistpháipéir ná na scéime marcála. Tá teorainn dhocht leis na nithe ar féidir déileáil láithreach leo tar éis breathnú ar na scripteanna. Aon cheist maidir leis na nithe seo: ceisteanna dícheadaithe, ríomh marcanna cur i bhfeidhm na scéime marcála, éilimh nach bhfuil an obair marcáilte go hiomlán is tríd an bpróiseas foirmiúil achomhairc amháin is féidir iad a réiteach nuair a chuirfidh scrúdaitheoir achomhairc an scéim mharcála i bhfeidhm athuair. Iarrthóirí a roghnaíonn leas a bhaint as an deis riaracháin sin, níor mhiste dóibh cuimhneamh air go bhfuil tréimhse ghairid i gceist agus gur dócha nach mbeidh an toradh ar a n-éileamh ar eolas acu sula mbeidh dáta deiridh na n-achomharc thart. Ba chríonna an mhaise dóibh, dá bhrí sin, achomharc foirmiúil a dhéanamh ionas, mura nglactar leis an bpointe riaracháin a tharraingítear anuas nó má bhíonn gá le forléiriú ag Scrúdaitheoir, nach gcaillfidh tú an deis ar an bpróiseas achomhairc mar gheall ar dháta deiridh na n-achomharc a bheith thart. Má ghlactar leis an bpointe a tharraingítear anuas beidh deis agat an t-iarratas ar achomharc a tharraingt siar agus aisíocfar táille an achomhairc leat ina dhiaidh sin. 6

16 AGUISÍN NÓTA EOLAIS D IARRTHÓIRÍ BREATHNÚ SCRIPTEANNA MARCÁILTE Mar chabhair duit agus tú ag breathnú do scripteanna marcáilte sula ndéanann tú achomharc agus chun cuidiú leat cinneadh a dhéanamh cé acu a dhéanfaidh tú achomharc nó nach ndéanfaidh, b fhiú duit na pointí seo a mheabhrú i rith an tseisiúin bhreathnóireachta: 1 Tá an marc iomlán ar gach ceist uimhrithe sa ghreille ar chlúdach an fhreagarleabhair. Tá an marc iomlán ar an bpáipéar ar fad (marcanna bónais, más ann dóibh, don fhreagairt trí mheán na Gaeilge san áireamh) sa bhosca sa ghreille dár teideal Móriomlán. 2 I gcás na n-ábhar ina bhfuil níos mó ná comhchuid amháin, e.g. Páipéar 1, Páipéar 2, Béaltriail, Triail Cluastuisceana, etc., déantar an marc ar gach comhchuid a ionchur ina aonar agus é a phróiseáil go leictreonach. 3 Más mian leat a thuilleadh a fháil amach faoi na marcanna sa ghreille ar cheist ar bith is féidir leat na marcanna taobh istigh den fhreagarleabhar a bhreathnú. Cuimhnigh ar na pointí seo a leanas: (a) Beidh an freagarleabhar marcáilte ag scrúdaitheoir amháin ar a laghad agus, i gcásanna áirithe, ag Scrúdaitheoir Comhairleach chomh maith, agus d fhéadfadh go mbeadh a lán marcanna air i lámha agus i ndathanna éagsúla. (b) Léiríonn marcanna taobh istigh de na Lúibíní Cearnógacha marcanna nár ceadaíodh ar cheisteanna/ar chodanna de ceisteanna de bhreis ar líon na gceisteanna a bhí ceadaithe don pháipéar. (c) Is iad na marcanna i gciorcal in aice le huimhir na ceiste san imeall ar chlé, na marcanna iomlána a bronnadh ar an gceist sin. Ba chóir gurb ionann iad agus na marcanna a cláraíodh don cheist sin sa ghreille ar chlúdach an fhreagarleabhair. 4 Áireamh an Ghráid Áiríodh do ghrád i ngach cás ar bhonn an mhairc iomláin a fuair tú, i gcóimheas leis an uasmharc don ábhar. Sa phróiseas grádaithe ní athraítear marcanna ina gcéatadáin, ná ní shlánaítear marcanna suas ná síos. Ar an marc féin atá an próiseas bunaithe. Ciallaíonn sé sin go dtarlaíonn an t-athrú sa ghrád ag leibhéal sainithe marcanna ar scála na marcanna don ábhar. Mar shampla, in ábhar a mbíonn uasmharc de 400 aige is é 220 an marc nach mór a bhaint amach le Grád C3 a fháil, agus is é 360 an marc atá ag teastáil le Grád A1 a fháil. Ar an mbonn sin is ionann 219 marc agus Grád D1 agus is ionann 359 marc agus Grád A2. Seans go bhfeicfeadh iarrthóir ar bronnadh Grád D3 air/uirthi go bhfuil an marc iomlán faoi bhun na teorann 40% idir D3 agus E. Tarlaíonn seo de bharr cleachtas seanbhunaithe ó tugadh isteach córas na ngrád i 1969 grád D a bhronnadh le lamháltas suas go 2%. Ní bhaineann seo le teorainn grád ar bith eile. N.B. Ní chuirtear ar fáil na marcanna a bhronntar sna Béaltrialacha, sna Trialacha Praiticiúla ná san Obair Thionscadail. 5. Tá na scripteanna á gcur ar fáil chun cuidiú leat cinneadh a dhéanamh cé acu a dhéanfaidh tú toradh a achomharc nó ndéanfaidh. Is tríd an bpróiseas foirmiúil achomhairc, ag baint úsáide as Foirm AP1 (atá ar fáil ón bhfeitheoir Eagraíochta), agus ar an tslí sin amháin is féidir aird a tharraingt ar aon ábhar imní a thagann chun cinn le linn phróiseas na breathnóireachta. Lasmuigh den ionad breathnóireachta is cóir Foirm AP1 a chomhlíonadh. Ní thabharfaidh na feitheoirí san ionad breathnóireacht soiléiriú d iarrthóirí ná don duine in éineacht leo ná ní chuirfidh siad comhairle d aon saghas orthu maidir leis an bpróiseas marcála. 6. Níl cead ag iarrthóir ná ag aon duine in éineacht leis/léi gléas scríbhneoireachta, fón póca ná ceamara a thabhairt isteach san ionad breathnóireachta. 7