A review has been launched after a top examiner gave a GCSE English candidate marks for writing only a two word expletive on their exam paper.
Peter Buckroyd, the Assessment and Qualification Alliance's (AQA) chief examiner for GCSE English, gave the pupil two marks out of a possible 27 for writing "fuck off" on the exam paper.
According to The Times Mr Buckfield defended his leniency by saying that the candidate had demonstrated more skills than one "who doesn't write anything at all".
He told The Times: "It would be wicked to give it a zero because it does show some very basic skills we are looking for - like conveying some meaning and some spelling."
The Joint Council for Qualifications, a body representing the exam boards, said that examiners were required to report instances of "inappropriate, offensive or obscene material" in exam scripts. The awarding body must investigate and decide on an appropriate sanction.
An AQA spokeswoman said that examiners in a similar position should contact the board for advice.
She said: "As a result, an obscenity should either be disregarded, or action will be taken against the candidate, depending on the seriousness of the case.
"The example cited was unique in the experience of the senior examiner concerned and was used in a pre-training session to emphasise the importance of adhering to the mark scheme: i.e. if a candidate makes any sort of response to a question then it must be at least given consideration to be awarded a mark.
"We do not condone the use of obscenities in scripts: in the light of this incident we will be reviewing our instructions to examiners which will include reiterating the procedure to be followed when encountering obscenities in scripts."
Peter Buckroyd, the Assessment and Qualification Alliance's (AQA) chief examiner for GCSE English, gave the pupil two marks out of a possible 27 for writing "fuck off" on the exam paper.
According to The Times Mr Buckfield defended his leniency by saying that the candidate had demonstrated more skills than one "who doesn't write anything at all".
He told The Times: "It would be wicked to give it a zero because it does show some very basic skills we are looking for - like conveying some meaning and some spelling."
The Joint Council for Qualifications, a body representing the exam boards, said that examiners were required to report instances of "inappropriate, offensive or obscene material" in exam scripts. The awarding body must investigate and decide on an appropriate sanction.
An AQA spokeswoman said that examiners in a similar position should contact the board for advice.
She said: "As a result, an obscenity should either be disregarded, or action will be taken against the candidate, depending on the seriousness of the case.
"The example cited was unique in the experience of the senior examiner concerned and was used in a pre-training session to emphasise the importance of adhering to the mark scheme: i.e. if a candidate makes any sort of response to a question then it must be at least given consideration to be awarded a mark.
"We do not condone the use of obscenities in scripts: in the light of this incident we will be reviewing our instructions to examiners which will include reiterating the procedure to be followed when encountering obscenities in scripts."
