Saturday exams to get round timetable clashes

Scholarship students will next year sit exams on Saturdays to prevent the timetable clashes that threatened to wipe out a year's study in the buildup to the current exams.

Those studying towards the new scholarship exams this year were devastated to be told they would have to drop a subject if they were scheduled to sit two exams at the same time.

The scheduling botch affected those sitting scholarship and level three, with three exams set down for the same day.

Education Minister Trevor Mallard had to step in before the students were allowed to sit one exam after the other.

The Qualifications Authority yesterday released its decision on the shape of next year's timetable.

Scholarship exams will be held before and after NCEA levels one to three, and on Saturdays, to avoid any potential clashes.

Kate Colbert, NZQA group manager secondary, said the timetable was a compromise of five options presented to schools in a consultation document this year.

"Although we have received considerable feedback there was no clear preference," she said.

"The only overwhelming comment from schools was that the exams cut into teaching time as little as possible."

Many wanted the scholarship exams separated to reduce clashes, so a separate timetable had been prepared, said Ms Colbert.

Scholarship exams will be on November 14 and between December 3 and 10, including two Saturdays.

Candidates with a clash will be able to sit both exams that day.

NCEA exams will be from November 15 to December 2.