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REVEALED: The HSC subject with the most disputed exam results - with teachers complaining the marking can be too subjective

English Extension 2 is the most complained-about subject in the Higher School Certificate for unexpectedly wild results, new figures reveal.

The highly regarded subject, offered in New South Wales, allows students to produce a major creative work such as a podcast, a film script, multimedia project, poetry or a short story.

It has become controversial among some teachers who are concerned that marks in the subject are too subjective and unpredictable.

New figures from the NSW Education Standards Authority show English Extension 2 is the subject most complained about by school principals logging requests to check that no processing error has been made in the calculation of the student's mark. 

Students learn valuable skills in English Extension 2 but because they can choose from a wide range of creative major works, some teachers think the marking is too subjective

Students learn valuable skills in English Extension 2 but because they can choose from a wide range of creative major works, some teachers think the marking is too subjective

Principals only rarely make an 'anomalous result inquiry' when a student's mark varies wildly from what was expected.

Out of 196 queries in the five years to 2018, only 18 resulted in an actual error being found. 

English Extension 2 was the subject of 47 out of the 212 anomalous result inquiries made from 2014 to 2019 - or more than a fifth, according to the NESA figures. 

It was more than double the second most complained about subject which was Drama on 21 requests, followed by English Advanced on 13.

About 75,000 students sit the HSC in New South Wales each year, of which only about 1600 choose to take English Extension 2.

Music is also high on the list of challenged subjects with 11 queries for Music 1, six for Music 2 and 10 for Music Extension, which also has a major work or performance component, and which may also be considered subjective.

English Extension 2 makes up more than double the clerical error inquiries for results and a fifth overall, indicating its tendency for unpredictable and unexpected results

English Extension 2 makes up more than double the clerical error inquiries for results and a fifth overall, indicating its tendency for unpredictable and unexpected results

English Teachers Association Executive Officer Eva Gold said English Extension 2 was highly regarded but always had an issue with an element of subjectivity in its marking combined with a wide range of choices for a student's major work from drama scripts to videos or podcasts.

'We have argued that, because different skills and dispositions are required to complete this course well from other parts of the syllabus, differences in achievement are not to be unexpected,' she told the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper.

A NESA spokesperson said every English Extension 2 major work and reflection statement is marked according to the same guidelines by two independent markers to ensure the score is fair and accurate.

'A senior marker will resolve where there is a discrepancy between the two marks,' the spokesperson said.

Marks that deviate wildly from what is expected prompt principals to lodge anomalous result queries which check for administrative errors in grading a student's work

Marks that deviate wildly from what is expected prompt principals to lodge anomalous result queries which check for administrative errors in grading a student's work

In 2007 the course came under scrutiny after the Independent Commission Against Corruption warned that take-home assignments such as major works are open to cheating and plagiarism.

The English Teachers Association consulted its 1700 members in the wake of the ICAC inquiry and found they unanimously expressed enthusiasm for the English Extension 2 course.

The teachers said it taught students valuable skills such as self-discipline, and prepared them for the independent learning and inquiry they must produce at university. 

They recommended more support materials to help teachers monitor the major work's progress and to encourage ethical project development. 

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