TASC’s Board has issued a Statement from the Board (below) on the release of the independent review into TASC exam processes. The Statement details the key observations of the review and the Board’s commitment to a collaborative approach to implementing the recommendations. It also details the improvements that were made in developing the 2025 exams to significantly reduce the likelihood of errors in exam papers.

2025 senior secondary students are encouraged to prepare for their end-of-year external assessments as they would any year, including using the various student information resources and previous exam papers provided for revision purposes. Exam preparation information for students can be found at tasc.tas.gov.au/students/years-11-and-12/student-information-resources.

Information about TASC’s initial 2024 exam errors response, including how the errors were addressed in exam marking and were managed is available at 2024 exam errors response.

Issued by: Sally Darke, Chair, Tasmanian Assessment, Standards and Certification (TASC) Board

As the Chair of the newly appointed TASC Board, I am committed to announcing the public release of the Investigation and Exam Process Independent Review, conducted by Deloitte SRT. This review was commissioned in response to errors identified in some 2024 written exam papers, which we recognise impacted affected students, teachers, and families. Its findings provide a clear path forward to strengthen our processes and prevent future issues.

The Board has prioritised its review of the report since our inaugural meeting in July and endorses it in full. Overall, the review affirmed TASC’s established process for exam development, identifying opportunities to further enhance its effectiveness through appropriate resourcing. Key observations include:

  • The 2024 exam development process generally followed TASC policy and procedure, with some minor deviations identified.
  • Resourcing pressures at TASC, considering the workload and quantum of exams developed each year.
  • Current remuneration for the qualified staff required for examinations may not be sufficient to support sustained resourcing in Tasmania.

The report makes 34 prioritised recommendations to underscore the need for sustainable resourcing.

As Chair, I can confirm that the new Board is now prioritising our response to the report, starting with its top recommendations. We are engaging with the Minister for Education regarding these findings to support implementation. This collaborative approach will ensure we address root causes while aligning with broader regulatory reforms and Ministerial expectations for reliable assessments that support student outcomes.

We can reassure Years 11 and 12 students, their teachers, and parents that TASC has already taken proactive actions to address the shortcomings identified. These include:

  • Establishing a quality assurance partnership with the University of Tasmania for additional exam checks.
  • Employing a copy editor for structural formatting and enhanced proofreading.
  • Strengthening workflow documentation with clear accountability at every stage.

These measures align closely with the report’s recommendations and provide robust safeguards for the 2025 external assessment program. However, full implementation will require dedicated resources to safeguard confidence in our assessment system.

TASC continually looks for improvements and listens to the needs of students and educators. We have continued to learn from this experience and made changes to significantly reduce the likelihood of errors.

TASC acknowledges the significant commitment of the Setting Examiners, Exam Critics, and University of Tasmania staff who contributed to the 2025 papers, given the context of the recent review. It demonstrates the dedicated network of Tasmanian educators doing their utmost for young people.

Investigation and Exam Process Independent Review, conducted by Deloitte SRT.

The review report has some partial redactions that were made by Deloitte SRT to prevent the identification of individuals, aligning with privacy principles. This includes specific position titles, the individuals who provided opinions at interview and staffing numbers outside of TASC.

Enquires about the review can be made through all usual TASC contacts, including through TASC Liaison Officers and enquiries@tasc.tas.gov.au