University of Otago Apologises for Error in Law Exam

The University of Otago has issued an apology following the discovery of an error in a third-year law exam. The mistake occurred during the Law of Torts exam (LAWS301) on March 15, 2024, affecting students enrolled in the course.

Associate Professor Bridgette Toy-Cronin, Dean of the Law School, confirmed that students were informed of the issue approximately 50 minutes into the examination. “A word was missing in one sentence of the question,” she stated in a communication to the media.

The incident has raised concerns among students regarding the impact of such an error on their examination performance. The University has acknowledged the importance of accuracy in academic assessments and is taking steps to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

In her statement, Toy-Cronin expressed regret over the oversight. She emphasized the University’s commitment to maintaining high academic standards and the integrity of its examinations.

The Law of Torts course is a critical component of the third-year law curriculum, and students rely on the accuracy of exam materials to fairly demonstrate their knowledge and skills. The University is currently reviewing its examination processes to enhance quality control measures.

Students have been encouraged to reach out to faculty for any concerns related to the exam. The University is also exploring options to mitigate the impact of the error on students’ final grades.

The incident serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by educational institutions in ensuring flawless execution of assessments. As the University of Otago moves forward, it aims to restore confidence among its student body regarding the fairness of its academic evaluations.