Independent experts have found that a programming bug and human error were the main cause of 670 Certificate of Education Examination candidates being given wrong results.

The report confirms the error was caused by a programming fault that had been identified and fixed, but had not been applied to correct the results of the Oral component of English Language (Syllabus B) exam. Due to the peculiarity of the bug, only rare cases were affected.

Weakness found

The report identified weaknesses in incident management relating to processes for authorisation, verification, documentation and reporting of incidents. It concluded the overnight checking from August 11 to 12 to verify the results of papers affected by the bug was adequate.

It confirmed that only the 670 candidates were affected. However, the re-checking found 16 cases in which a change in results was necessary due to markers' transcription or summation errors, or incorrect use of forms. Of these, one resulted in a change in the candidate's subject grade from an E to a D. This candidate has already secured a sixth-form place in her own school and the change did not affect her 'best six' score.

Upgrades suggested

The report contains some recommendations for improving the process for marking and checking, including improvements to the design of the score sheets used by examiners and the strengthening of random sample re-checking procedures.

Examinations & Assessment Authority Council Chairman Irving Koo said they have accepted the two reports. The council also agreed the chairman and deputy of the authority's Finance & General Purposes Committee should investigate further into the actions of individual officers to determine whether and to whom to assign responsibility for the error.

The council will meet in mid-September to deliberate.