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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Missing 's' means results stress | Missing 's' means results stress |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Scotland's exams body has admitted that a missing letter in a web address caused problems for candidates trying to access results. | |
| About 35,000 pupils registered to receive Higher and Standard Grade results online a day early. | About 35,000 pupils registered to receive Higher and Standard Grade results online a day early. |
| However, some received error messages when they tried to enter the site using web links supplied by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA). | |
| The error was caused by a letter 's' missing from an SQA web link. | The error was caused by a letter 's' missing from an SQA web link. |
| Dozens of candidates contacted the BBC Scotland news website to say they were unable to access their results online on Monday, a day before results were due to arrive in the post. | Dozens of candidates contacted the BBC Scotland news website to say they were unable to access their results online on Monday, a day before results were due to arrive in the post. |
| A number of disgruntled candidates and their parents said problems occurred because they were initially directed to the non-secure web address which has the prefix http, instead of the secure site at https. | A number of disgruntled candidates and their parents said problems occurred because they were initially directed to the non-secure web address which has the prefix http, instead of the secure site at https. |
| They said the incorrect link was supplied in letters to candidates who had requested to receive their results online. | They said the incorrect link was supplied in letters to candidates who had requested to receive their results online. |
| We will learn the lessons from this year and will continue to work to improve in the future Mike HaggertySQA spokesman | We will learn the lessons from this year and will continue to work to improve in the future Mike HaggertySQA spokesman |
| The SQA confirmed there were problems with the link. It added that more than 3,000 people had also forgotten their login details. | The SQA confirmed there were problems with the link. It added that more than 3,000 people had also forgotten their login details. |
| Spokesman Mike Haggerty said investigations into the possible causes of log-in difficulties were ongoing, but added it was clear the SQA log-in address error had contributed. | |
| He said: "We are sorry for the difficulties experienced by candidates. We will learn the lessons from this year and will continue to work to improve in the future. | He said: "We are sorry for the difficulties experienced by candidates. We will learn the lessons from this year and will continue to work to improve in the future. |
| "We would like to thank everyone involved in this new system for their patience and support." | "We would like to thank everyone involved in this new system for their patience and support." |
| Anna Kordeczka, 17, a former Mearns Castle High School spent three hours trying to get her Higher results. | Anna Kordeczka, 17, a former Mearns Castle High School spent three hours trying to get her Higher results. |
| She said: "The web page on the letter issued to all candidates is wrong. | She said: "The web page on the letter issued to all candidates is wrong. |
| "This is no doubt the reason why so many problems have been encountered." | "This is no doubt the reason why so many problems have been encountered." |
| 'Innovative step' | 'Innovative step' |
| Liz Smith, the Scottish Conservative spokeswoman on children, schools and skills, said the SQA must make sure the system works properly next year. | Liz Smith, the Scottish Conservative spokeswoman on children, schools and skills, said the SQA must make sure the system works properly next year. |
| Judith Gillespie of the Scottish Parent Teacher Council, who is also an SQA board member, said lessons would be learned. | Judith Gillespie of the Scottish Parent Teacher Council, who is also an SQA board member, said lessons would be learned. |
| She said: "There were a series of problems all of which have to be looked at. | She said: "There were a series of problems all of which have to be looked at. |
| "But this was a bold an innovative step which will bring huge benefits in the future." | "But this was a bold an innovative step which will bring huge benefits in the future." |
| About 6,000 results were sent successfully by text message. | About 6,000 results were sent successfully by text message. |
| A further 120,000 students preferred to wait until Tuesday, when their results were being delivered by post. | A further 120,000 students preferred to wait until Tuesday, when their results were being delivered by post. |
| According to the SQA, the percentage of students passing Higher exams has increased since last year. | According to the SQA, the percentage of students passing Higher exams has increased since last year. |
| The Royal Mail said it had delivered a record number of exam results on behalf of the SQA. | The Royal Mail said it had delivered a record number of exam results on behalf of the SQA. |