Examination Scripts

After the examinations are over, universities in Hong Kong generally do not return the examination scripts submitted by the students to themselves.  Earlier this year our university decided to change that - to allow the students to read their own examination scripts, but not to take them away.  That caused great concern from the professors. 

Some were afraid that a great number of students may ask to see the scripts, generating a large amount of work, and taking a lot of time.  Some were afraid that the students might abuse the arrangement - argue with the professors, complain about the marking, perhaps even change the answers.  Many meetings were held to debate the policy, and to set up the relevant procedures.   Elaborate arrangements were made, special rooms were reserved, and staff were assigned to manage the process.  Proposals were made to photocopy the examination scripts for viewing, and to video-record the students reading the scripts - although I am not sure whether it was actually done. 

Personally, I thought many of the worries, and the elaborate arrangements in anticipation, were unnecessarily.  I decided to simply ask the students to come to my office at the reserved hour if they want to read the scripts.

University management insisted that the students have the right to see their own examination scripts.  And I agree with them. Even thought the policy does generate some additional work. 

In the end, only a small number of students came to see the scripts.  And very few appeals arose after the viewing.  For example, in one class of about 40 students, only one student came.  He was the top student, and he left after 5 minutes without saying very much.