Discontent with the C1 English exam at EOI Palma: "Not even the teachers would have passed it"

PalmaBetween the two C1 English classes at EOI Palma, only one student out of the 37 who took the final exam has passed, as the minimum average grade required for all assessed parts is 6.5. This is explained by one of the affected students, who has contacted ARA Balears, and assures that the result has generated strong discontent among students and also among part of the teaching staff. “There are many complaints among the students, and even some professors from the department agree that the exam was too advanced. Even they wouldn't have passed it,” he states.

In this same vein, the student points out that complaints have also been expressed through internal channels of the center. “We have become aware that there have been complaints, both from teachers and students, about the C1 exams. They have told us that the Use of English and Listening tests did not correspond to the C1 level, and we wanted to know if it is possible for us, as students, to join the claim,” reads a message sent through the center's Classroom tool.

Another student recounts a specific incident during the oral comprehension test. He explains that, during the second playback of the audio, the screen disconnected for a few seconds and part of the sound could not be heard normally. Although they were later informed that the playback had continued from the same point, some students question whether this was actually the case and consider that part of the content might have been lost or, at least, affected their concentration.

Teacher rotation

One of the main points of criticism is the feeling of lack of time during the test. “During the exam there was very little time, both to do it and to review. Mistakes penalize a lot and, if you go too fast, you can also make mistakes easily,” explains the student making the complaint. He himself denounces changes of professor during the course and a preparation that was not very enriching and focused on learning, but very focused on doing exam models.

The correction criteria also generate confusion. “They tell you that you have a lack of vocabulary, but you don't know exactly how many words or what level is required,” he affirms. According to the student, practically the entire group has requested a review of the exam. “It doesn't seem normal to us that there are so few passes,” he says. In other centers, the results would have been better. "We know that in Inca 8 out of 24 students would have passed," he explains.

The student also questions the evaluation criteria. “I am surprised that they tell me I lack vocabulary, because in class I understood the teachers perfectly. I don't understand why a level is demanded of me that seems superior to what we have worked on,” he explains. This Tuesday, a three-day period was opened to submit claims, a period in which numerous complaints are expected to be registered. Afterwards, the department will review the exams and publish the final grades. In case of disagreement, the case can be escalated to educational inspection.

For the student, the situation generates a perception of a mismatch between training and results. “If a teacher is strict, it can always be justified why they fail someone, but it cannot be that in an EOI practically no one passes. Perhaps the problem is not just the students,” he concludes. And he adds: “For me, this is a discredit to the public system. Many people say they will leave their studies and opt for private education and will present themselves as self-taught.”