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schemes. This requirement proved challenging for several Centres and forced resubmissions
and reloading of files in the ORS late into the session.

33. The marking of the moderating paper (P090) in several subjects was delayed due to
issues with transmission of data files from the CXC storage to the RM repository. Issues
included:

(i) File naming convention violations.
(ii) File format violation.
(iii) Upload to the wrong test code by teachers.
(iv) Corrupt data transmissions requiring reloading.

34. FAC heard that the scanning of scripts at Restore went smoothly. However, similar to
2016, over 3000 missing candidates were outstanding. The efficient marking of English B
Paper 2 continued this year with the use of e-Bookmarking; Literatures in English Units 1 and
2, Paper 2 were also included in this process.

35. FAC noted that the challenges with Script Level Additional Objects (SLAOs) and Packet
Level Additional Objects (PLAOs), while reduced, still required significant manual
intervention.

36. FAC heard that CSEC® Music Paper 020, CAPE® Green Engineering and CAPE®
Financial Services Studies were reconfigured late into the cycle. While this was completed
without additional costs, it resulted in later than planned commencement and completion of
marking.

IRREGULARITIES AND HARDSHIPS

37. FAC received the report that candidates in the northern Caribbean experienced
disruption and dislocation caused by adverse weather. This dominated the hardship cases
this year as shown in Table 3. A separate report was submitted by EDPD and TAC on the
recommendations in relation to the weather-originating hardships and the other hardships
that were quality assured by TAC.

Table 3
Summary of Hardship Cases

Hardship Category No. of % of total
cases submissions
Weather 533 89
Medical 45 8

Compassionate 11 2
Technical 8 1

TOTAL 597 100

38. FAC heard that there were 91 Irregularities reported to the Council prior to script
marking. A significant drop in the number of cell phone violations was observed this session.
Table 4 summarised the Irregularities reported.

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