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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Letters

A-level problem was a crime, not a cock-up

A-Level exams in progress.
A-Level exams in progress. Last minute changes had to be made to some papers by Pearson after questions were leaked. Photograph: Gareth Fuller/PA

Your report (Exam board makes last minute change to two A-level papers after leak, 26 June) explains the measures we were forced to take this week to ensure that this year’s maths A-level was fair to all students. Contrary to some of the comments in the article, this was not an example of the exam board getting it wrong. This incident arose from criminal behaviour, which is now the subject of a police investigation. We acted swiftly, working with the regulator and the police, to tackle malpractice and to ensure fair exams with the minimum possible inconvenience to schools. The examinations system rests on trust; it is a team effort between exam boards and schools. We all have to protect the integrity of exam papers in the interests of students.
Rod Bristow
President, UK and core markets, Pearson

• Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com

• Read more Guardian letters – click here to visit gu.com/letters

• This article was amended on 29 June 2017 to correct the spelling of Rod Bristow’s surname in the subheading.

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