Law finalists have expressed anger over missing materials in an exam on Tuesday.
Seven students in the extra-time room were asked to start their Tort exam without Tort Case Lists, which are meant to be one of the materials provided.
One student affected, who asked to remain anonymous, told Cherwell, “In the Tort exam this morning, we were originally given Contract Case Lists. When I brought it up, they took them away but didn’t send anyone to go and look for them for around 10 minutes, which put us past the start time of the exam.
“When I complained they said, ‘Do you even need them?’ They then tried to start the exam without us having the case list, and the whole room complained.
“It was at this point that they said, ‘We’re under just as much pressure as you are,’ which obviously caused the whole room to scoff. The cases turned up eventually, but they set us off writing one by one instead of all at once, meaning the people who received their exam papers last ended up getting less time.
“It seems like a frivolous complaint, but when you’re already nervous about the paper you’re about to sit and there are these sorts of problems, it really makes you panic and lose focus. It took me at least 10-15 minutes to calm down and refocus, so I’m hoping it hasn’t affected my grade.”
Benjamin Ong, a postgraduate Law student, said, “Having completed the same exams last year, I understand that materials provided for use during exams, such as case lists and statute books, can be very important to those who have prepared for their exams on the understanding that these materials will be readily available.
“It is no answer to say that candidates do not or should not need them. Firstly, candidates are, quite simply, according to the Examiners’ Edict, entitled to use them. Secondly, reliance on them is not a sign of being ill-prepared, for they serve the important functions of refreshing candidates’ memories and acting as checklists to make sure that answers address the appropriate range of issues.”
A number of students expressed their discontentment on Facebook group Overheard at Oxford Uni. Cherwell understands that a number of students are intending to submit official complaints.
A spokesperson from the University said, “The correct exam materials were quickly given to the seven candidates who did not have them. These candidates started and ended the exam ten minutes later than scheduled, so they lost no overall exam time.”
