Students who sat for the MATSEC exams in May had to endure what they said was excessive heat as well as “wobbly tables and noisy fans”, a survey conducted by the examinations board said.

The complaints emerged from the annual survey conducted by MATSEC in the weeks following the exams. A total of 1,594 candidates participated in the survey, which is just under 18 per cent of all those who sat for the exams. 

While the majority of the candidates surveyed said that the centres were clean and well-maintained, they went on to note several “limitations in the suitability of some centres”. This included clocks that were not working, noisy fans, excessive heat, wobbly tables and inadequate leg space “especially for tall candidates”.

The students also pointed out that there were instances where there was noise due to rehearsals, sports or Mass being held at or next to the examination centres. They were also critical of the behaviour of invigilators tasked with carrying out supervision during the exams.

Some invigilators left the room unattended, could not speak or read in English

According to a large number of the respondents, invigilators spoke among themselves and even made use of their mobile phones during the exams. One student went on to claim that an invigilator even went as far as having the sound on while playing a game on his phone.

“Arguably, some invigilators left in the room unattended, could not speak or read in English, did not know rules for examinations (art and mathematics were specifically mentioned multiple times), and – three separate respondents claim – had an argument while candidates were sitting for an examination,” the board said in its report on the survey.

While the majority of respondents – 77.9 per cent – believed that it was difficult to cheat during MATSEC exams, several of the students argued that it was “fairly easy to copy” and mentioned the practice of copying from mobile phones as well as notes being kept under desks or in bathrooms.

“It is not fair on us who do not cheat that others take their mobiles in their clothes and go to the bathroom with them,” one respondent said.

The board also received complaints on the coursework that is required as part of the assessment for the Systems of Knowledge.

While some complained that the pedagogy and course structure rendered the subject irrelevant, many lamented abuse by some students who had not worked on the coursework themselves.