One of the questions on the High School Entrance Exam (LGS) has been canceled after a months-long lawsuit. The court discussing the case notified the Ministry of Education (MEB) of its decision on September 11, 2024. The canceled question was brought to judicial attention after being reported by various students during the objection period after the exam on June 2, 2024. The objection period, designated beforehand by the ministry between June 2-7, is a chance for students to report questions they believe to have wrong answers so the exam systems functions correctly and without any injustice. According to the Administrative Judgment Law, the period for filing lawsuits is 10 days; after the lawsuit is filed, the initial investigation is carried out within 7 days, and the cases are decided at the latest 15 days after filing the petition.
This year, during the objection period, parents and guardians filed lawsuits with “requests for cancellations” regarding the first Turkish question, the 13th and 15th science questions, and the 20th math question — question numbers are based on booklet A. Though the court had not decided whether or not the question should be canceled yet, the ministry carried out the placement procedures according to the original schedule. The placements were completed on July 22, 2024, and all transfer procedures were concluded by August 2.
After all the students were placed in their respective schools, it was announced that the 13th science question would be canceled.
Background of the Lawsuit
After the LGS exam, plaintiff Emre Bayar filed a lawsuit at the Administrative Court claiming that the answer key was incorrect for the 13th science question. In his petition, the student demanded that the ministry fix the answer key and cancel the question. The file was discussed in the 3rd Ankara Administrative Court, and the defense of the Ministry of Education was included in the review.
The ministry presented Scientific Accuracy and Scientific Review reports prepared by professors from the Middle East Technical University (ODTÜ) and Gazi University. According to the reports, there were no errors in the question in terms of measurement and evaluation, language and expression, or overall meaning. The ministry, through further assessment, reported that the answer key was correct and requested the dismissal of the lawsuit.
The expert report that was included in the judicial decision stated, “This question is about simple machines and is included in the 8th Grade Science Curriculum. (F.8.5.1). It is appropriate to ask the question in terms of scope validity.” However, it was decided that to find a correct answer under universal physics principles, students would need to possess knowledge outside of the curriculum. Therefore, the question was judged unfit for the 8th grade level. Moreover, the decision stated that the wording was not clear enough to push every students to a single conclusion, and that it was not prepared well enough to prevent misunderstandings. Due to this judgment, the court decided to cancel the request.
Emre Bayar was not the only person who objected to the question. A student named Ali Taha Genç also filed a petition, stating that unless the correct answer was determined as “A”, he, along with other students impacted by the same question, would be victims of both mental and economic suffering. This argument highlights how much an error in the exam can affect students since the purpose of the LGS exam is to offer a fair chance for students to be ranked and placed into high schools according to their performance. Following the cancelation of the question, the complainant’s father, Aziz Genç, a lawyer, suggested hat the withdrawal of the question created even more confusion, and that the result was not satisfactory enough for them. He went on to claim that option “A” should be accepted as the correct answer, which would change the scores and rankings in a more drastic way than simply evaluating the students as if the question had never been asked.
What Next?
On September 13, 2024, MEB posted a Press Release on the official ministry website detailing the issue and announcing that they would be following the exam guide. According to the guide, after a question is decided to be canceled, it is excluded from the exam, and the score values of the remaining questions are re-determined. After specifying the procedure, MEB revealed what would happen to the students: “In order to prevent any grievances, the rights of all students regarding the schools they were placed in will be protected. Students who were placed in their first preferences as a result of the re-calculation of points will be granted the right to new registration. These students will be able to stay in their current registered high schools if they do not wish to exercise their right to registration.” MEB updated the student quota in some public schools to accommodate the transfer students.
The aforementioned students will be notified about their situation through SMS or the e-Okul application. If they wish, those who have gained the right to register to a new school will submit their applications through e-Okul between September 14th and 20th, 2024. Their placement will be made automatically on September 21.
Even though a solution has been offered to relieve some students, the system works slightly differently for students who attend foreign and private schools. Students in such schools do not get enrolled based on a placement database. Instead, they apply to their chosen schools following a set criteria announced on each school’s webpage. Therefore, it is uncertain what will happen to students registered in private schools as their schools have not yet decided on a specific course of action.
Although MEB has acted to remedy the situation, the ordeal has caused a lot of confusion and distress. Since the school year has already started, several people are reluctant to change schools. Many people, especially those who go to private schools have already spent a lot of money on uniforms, books, and various other school materials. Apart from the material aspect, students have already completed orientation, made friends, and adapted to their environment. Hopefully, more developments will follow so that all students who were victims of this error can be satisfactorily compensated.