I AM a secondary school student who will sit for the O-level examinations this year. I am writing this letter for myself and others like me who will be taking the O levels this year and in the future.

I notice that the instructions on the cover of every paper in the O-level exams state: 'Do not use staples, paper clips, highlighters, and glue or correction fluid'.

However, in Elementary Mathematics Paper 1, limited space is given to answer the questions, in which all workings must be clearly shown.

Twice while doing my Elementary Mathematics Paper 1 - during my mid-year and final year exams in Secondary 3 - I had to cancel the entire workings in the space provided for the answer, and so had to ask for two sheets of foolscap paper to work on my solutions.

Can the Ministry of Education clarify whether extra paper is allowed in Elementary Mathematics Paper 1?

I have heard from my predecessors that the invigilators do not allow extra paper to be given. If correction fluid is not allowed, can I use correction tape instead?

Justin Lee

This article was first published in The Straits Times.