Defective Exam Questions

Occasionally, through an inadvertent error or a difference in interpretation, an examination question is found to be defective.

Examples of defects include:

  • typographical errors
  • ambiguities
  • questions on material no longer covered in syllabus

Reporting Defective Questions

Candidates who believe that a question is defective should fill out the following form within two weeks of the date the examination was administered and explain in detail why the question seems to be defective. 

Report a Defective Question

The appropriate SOA Education Committee will investigate all questions brought to its attention in this way, and may make allowances in the grading process, if appropriate.  The Education Committee may make use of candidates' examination books to determine whether their scores should be adjusted.