Inspections of written exam material

What is an ‘unexpected result’?
An unexpected result is one that is substantially different from the results you were achieving internally and were expecting to achieve.

• Example 1: You may have achieved an A internally (school-based assessment) on one criterion but externally you received a C. This may be considered an unexpected result.
• Example 2: Your overall internal ratings may have provided you with the possibility of achieving an overall award of Exceptional Achievement, but your final overall award was a Commendable Achievement. This may be considered an unexpected result.

Why did I receive an ‘unexpected result’?
Your internal ratings (school-based results) are a result of many opportunities to demonstrate your knowledge, understanding and skill to your teacher over the year.
An external assessment is one opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge, understanding and skill. The specific exam and how you perform on the day can be one factor in receiving an unexpected result.

Should I request to inspect my written exam?
You can best recognise if your exam performance on the day was equal to your internal assessment performance. If you have received an unexpected result (as outlined above) and you believe you performed well on the day of the exam, then you should speak with your teacher about inspecting your exam.
If your teacher agrees that the results you have received are unexpected and that the specific exam would not have affected your ability to perform well, then you may request to inspect your written exam.
Eligibility: If you have received an unexpected result (as outlined above) you are eligible to request to inspect your written exam. You cannot request a remark of your written exam papers, but if you feel there could be an administrative or procedural error (such the number of marks allocated weren’t added up correctly or that some of the material wasn’t marked) you can use the inspection process to check.

What external assessment results can’t be inspected?
The inspection request application form lists the written exams that can be inspected. See the full list of available courses below.
Inspections are not available when the external assessment ratings awarded have already undergone a specific review and verification process by being:

• Panel marked – marked by a group of markers
• Double marked – each part has been marked by two separate markers independently
• Re-marked during the borderline process – the Marking Coordinator and a group of markers review and make a final determination.

If your results have been reviewed through the borderline process, the Course Criterion Profile Statement you receive by email will say ‘Reviewed by TASC Assessment Panel’ alongside your course result.

How much does it cost to inspect exam material?
There is a fee of $17.00 (per exam) to inspect exam material.

What are the application dates for inspections of 2022 written exams?

• 2 January – applications close for first-round requests to inspect written exams (Year 12 and 13 students only).
• 5 February – applications close for second-round requests to inspect written exam material (all students who did not submit a first–round request).

Can I ask someone to come with me to the inspection?
Yes, you can bring one experienced support person with you to the inspection. An experienced support person is someone who has had current experience with the course such as someone who has taught or marked the course within the last three years. Speak with your school about who may be able to support you at the inspection.

What happens if an error is found?
If there is a clear process error it will be corrected, and you will receive information about the changes applied as well as any revised results documents (where applicable).

What other ways can I get information or ask questions?
If you just want to see the exam paper, all written exam papers are published online within three working days of that exam. Go to the specific Course page and select “Supporting documents including external assessment material”.

You can use the Results Query form to raise any matters related to your results. The FAQs for students on your results may answer your query. Please do not send multiple queries. We receive a large volume of queries when results are issued and will respond as quickly as possible.

You can also order a copy of your written exam papers (see details at ‘Request to inspect/order copies of your written exams’ below).

• Australia in Asia and the Pacific (AAP315116)
• Accounting (ACC315116)
• Ancient History (ANH315117)
• Psychology (BHP315116) written exam only
• Sociology (BHS315116) written exam only
• Biology (BIO315116)
• Business Studies (BST315116)
• Computer Graphics and Design (CGD315118) written exam only
• Chemistry (CHM415115)
• Chinese (CHN315114) written exam only
• English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EAL315120) written exam only
• Economics (ECN315116)
• Electronics (ELT315114)
• English (ENG315117)
• English Literature (ENL315114) written exam only
• Environmental Science (ESS315118)
• Food and Nutrition (FDN315118)
• French (FRN315114) written exam only
• Geography (GGY315120)
• German (GRM315114) written exam only
• Housing and Design (HDS315118) written exam only
• Health Studies (HLT315118)
• Modern History (HSM315117)
• Computer Science (ITC315118)
• Italian (ITN315114) written exam only
• Information Systems and Digital Technologies (ITS315118)
• Japanese (JPN315114) written exam only
• Legal Studies (LST315117)
• Media Production (MED315117) written exam only
• Music (MSM315120) written exam only
• General Mathematics (MTG315120)
• Mathematics Methods – Foundation (MTM315117)
• Mathematics Methods (MTM415117)
• Mathematics Specialised (MTS415118)
• Outdoor Leadership (OXP315118)
• Philosophy (PHL315118)
• Physics (PHY415115)
• Physical Sciences (PSC315118)
• Studies of Religion (REL315116)
• Drama (SDD315120) written exam only
• Sport Science (SPT315117)

Practical courses

Inspections are not available for the practical, display or performance components of the following courses:

• Art Production
• Art Studio Practice
• Theatre Performance
• Student Directed Inquiry
• Drama
• Dance Choreography and Performance
• Music

However, an internal clerical check of your assessment can be conducted. Use the Results Query form to raise any matters related to these courses.

You can request to inspect your written exams (fee applies), including if you received unexpected external results in a course. An unexpected external result is one that is substantially different than the results in your final internal ratings.
Please ensure you have reviewed the eligibility requirements (above) before completing the application form:

• Online form – Request an inspection – closed for 2022 external assessments

You will need:

• Your TASC ID
• Relevant personal information
• Proof of identity
• Ability to make payment, Note: A fee of $17.00 will be applied to every course requested. (eg. 1 course = $17.00, 2 courses = $34.00)

Please note, TASC does not remark written exams. All TASC external assessments, including written exams are marked using rigorous and transparent processes by qualified and experienced markers. Consistent and transparent decisions are made throughout the marking process and the processes are applied consistently for all students in Tasmania.

Your written exam material will not be reviewed unless there is a clear process error as indicated below. If you believe there has been a process error you must provide detailed information on the form provided to you at the inspection.

• You will be provided with the written exam material you requested as well as a copy of the relevant written exam papers.
• You can bring one experienced person with you to the inspection, ideally a person with expertise in the relevant course.
• You will have 30 minutes to inspect your written exam material.
• Your written exam material must not be removed or marked in any way, nor may it be copied or photographed.
• A TASC officer will be present to supervise your inspection of written exam material and cannot provide feedback about your individual performance or any suspected process errors you may observe.
• You must use the inspection of written exam material form provided on the day to indicate that you have received and reviewed your requested written exam material and to indicate details of any suspected process error.
• All written exam material, as well as the inspection of written exam material form must be handed to the TASC officer before you leave the room.
• This is a formal process and will be followed up by TASC staff at the conclusion of the inspection of written exam material session.

1. Suspected administrative error

• If you think there was a possible administrative error, including the transcription of results or the addition of marks, please provide details on the form provided to you at the inspection.
• The time to correct a suspected administrative error is approximately 10 working days from the date of your inspection of written exam material.
• You will receive formal correspondence from TASC outlining any change applied as well as any revised results documentation (where appropriate).

2. Unmarked material

• If you think that some material may not have been marked, please provide details on the form provided to you at the inspection.
• TASC will arrange for any unmarked material to be marked.
• The time to undertake additional marking is approximately 20 working days from the date of your inspection of written material.
• You will receive formal correspondence outlining any change applied as well as any revised results documentation (where appropriate).

3. Incomplete or inconsistent application of assessment processes

• If you think that some part of the assessment process has not have been undertaken fully or consistently please provide details on the form provided to you at the inspection.
• If there has been a failure to follow process or procedure, the resolution of which would result in an improved award, TASC will undertake the necessary investigation.
• The time to process these requests will depend on the availability of the Marking Coordinator for the course.
• You will receive formal correspondence outlining the outcome of the investigation as well as any revised results documentation (where appropriate).

APPLICATION DATES

• 2 January 2023 – applications close for first-round requests to inspect written exam material (Year 12 and 13 students only).
• 5 February 2023 – applications close for second-round requests to inspect written exam material (all students who did not submit a first–round request).

FIRST ROUND INSPECTIONS OF WRITTEN EXAM MATERIAL

Year 12 and 13 students first round requests to inspect written exam material
Students must be available at the date and time given for their inspection. Inspections will be held at regional centres:

• Hobart – Thursday 5 and Friday 6 January 2023 (TBC)
• Launceston – Friday 6 January 2023 (TBC)
• Devonport – Thursday 5 January 2023 (TBC)

SECOND ROUND INSPECTIONS OF WRITTEN EXAM MATERIAL

Year 11 students (and Year 12 and 13 students who did not apply in the first round)
Inspections will be held in mid-February, at the school’s students attended.

Students are required to complete the Request for inspection of written exams form and pay the associated costs.

Fees

There is a fee of $17.00 per exam for a 30 minute inspection.