Exam grading fiasco down to ‘human decision-making’ not algorithm, former Ofqual head says

The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The former head of England’s exam regulator has said that last year’s grading fiasco was caused by “human-decision making” rather than a controversial algorithm. Mr Taylor, who stepped down as Ofqual chair towards the end of last year, said the government’s initial plan for grading “did not work” in a new report offering a personal reflection on what went wrong last year. But by blaming the algorithm, we risk missing the most important lessons on mistakes that were made.” Mr Taylor added: “The problem was not the algorithm, it was what we were trying to do with it: it was human decision making that failed.” The algorithm used in exam moderation last year has faced heavy criticism, with student protesters holding signs condemning it after moderated results came out last year. “No-one thought algorithmically moderated grades would be uncontroversial,” Mr Taylor said speaking about last year, adding there was “widespread unease about the chances” of the system working.