Chemistry exam error on WA Year 12 papers affects thousands
A chemical formula for hyaluronic acid was missing oxygen on the WA chemistry final exam. This affected a seven-mark question.
Thousands of Year 12 students in Western Australia sat a chemistry exam this week. It had a critical error.
The formula for hyaluronic acid was missing oxygen entirely. The formula showed 11 nitrogen atoms and zero oxygen.
The correct formula has one nitrogen and 11 oxygen. Chemistry textbook author Geoff Quinton said the mistake was clearly incorrect.
This would affect students' ability to answer the question. The formula was needed for the calculation.
Geoff Quinton noted that Year 12 students would expect an organic acid to contain oxygen. So the error was a red flag.
WA's School Curriculum and Standards Authority confirmed the printing error. It was in question 31 of the short answer section.
The authority said students would still be able to complete the calculation. The marking process will allow for different responses.
This ensures no student is disadvantaged.
- Question 31, short answer section
- Question number
- 7 marks
- Question mark value
- Missing oxygen atom entirely
- Formula error
- Geoff Quinton
- Chemistry author
Why it mattersStudents who recognised the error faced uncertainty during the exam. The error could affect how their responses are marked.
AustraliaThousands of WA Year 12 students took the affected exam; the education authority is reviewing marking to prevent disadvantage.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 h ago
