The last question in the Matsec mathematics examination was not in the syllabus, Matsec confirmed this afternoon.

It said in a statement the question carried six marks. The examinations board, it said, regretted the shortcoming and would be taking the necessary steps for candidates not to be placed at a disadvantage.

Matsec was reacting to a statement issued earlier today the the Opposition, which called for an investigation into the mathematics and physics examinations saying it seemed they contained questions which were not part of the syllabus and for which students were not prepared.

Shadow minister Therese Commodini Cachia and spokesman George Pullicino said they received several complaints from students and parents about the exams and verified their claims with teachers.

The Opposition, they said, expected the Matsec board to immediately investigate and take the necessary remedies for the students not to end up being the victims of other people’s mistakes.

In its statement, the university said that all questions in the physics examination were part of the syllabus.

In a statement issued this afternoon, the Opposition said it took note of Matsec's statement and thanked the board's employees for their work.

However, in the case of mathematics, thepanen confirmed that question 10, which was the last question, was on