A total of 432 O-level English oral examination candidates reported discrepancies between the prompt shown during preparation and the one read aloud by examiners. However, investigations by the Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board (SEAB) found no evidence of system malfunction.
Digital logs confirmed that candidates and examiners accessed the same approved prompt. “There was only one source that all candidates’ and examiners’ accounts accessed,” Senior Minister of State for Education Janil Puthucheary told Parliament. Students experiencing significant distress may apply for special consideration, while SEAB will review its oral examination processes to reduce future misunderstandings and improve prompt clarity.
