7.01.2008

I feel shafted after all those years of hard work

LONDON — A British high school student received credit for writing nothing but a two-word obscenity on an exam paper because the phrase expressed meaning and was spelled correctly.

The Times newspaper on Monday quoted examiner Peter Buckroyd as saying he gave the student — who wrote an expletive starting with f, followed by the word "off" — two points out of a possible 27 for the English paper.

"It would be wicked to give it zero because it does show some very basic skills we are looking for, like conveying some meaning and some spelling," Buckroyd was quoted as saying.

"It's better than someone that doesn't write anything at all."

Buckroyd said the student would have received a higher mark if the phrase had been punctuated.


Apparently I have been putting way too much effort in the quality of my exams and written reports. I'm such an overachiever...

12 comments:

Unknown said...

I can just see it now. Brother Charles tells me to bend over and get ready, and then he winds up and delivers the first of several resounding blows with his favorite oakwood paddle because I, as a freshman, have had the temerity to submit a paper with but two words, expressive as they might have been. And, still in my imagination, mind you, my two words would have been, "Bite me." And they would have been properly punctuated.

White Hot Magik said...

I am sure it was an artistic expression. Somehow I think if I had done that I wouldn't have even got two points.

Karma said...

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Anonymous said...

You know, I have to answer this practically, because I'm British, afterall.

You take your final exams in Britain when you're 16 and can potentially leave HS after this, most don't and stay on for the final two years of higher division classes. Anyway, when you take all eight separate exams on separate days, your papers are sent to a volunteer examiners at one location over the summer break and the grade you. They are impartial and unbiased. You are not graded by your teacher who knows you and loves you (or otherwise). It is fair and cruel at the same time.

I can't believe he got 2 points for that...

Mrs. F said...

Shocking that the teacher did not take that as a direct message, since that is probably what it was...

Malathionman said...

When I went back to college I was shocked at what kind of work was accepted. It is a shame that my 4.0 gpa gets me the same degree that the 2.0 guy got.

Anonymous said...

I'm shocked.

Hmm... wonder if that's worth two points. ;o)

Anonymous said...

Dear F@cken Goodness! WTF???
(There that should have given me a possible 10/27)

This is the most ridiculous thing I ever heard off. Don't let Mocha Momma see this... oye!

KC

t i m said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
t i m said...

I once got 98% on an English exam which irked me for days. If only I had the foresight to write f*** off to get the full 100%. ;)

Anonymous said...

This is just wrong on so many levels.

Still Patrice said...

Wow! I should save this for the next time I get a grade I don't agree with lol