A controversial task on the Unified State Exam (EGE) in Russian language has sparked debate among teachers, who argue that its ambiguous wording could unfairly penalize students. The task, which requires students to correctly place commas in a sentence, has been criticized for allowing for multiple valid solutions, potentially leading to incorrect grading.

The specific task in question, task No. 20, presents a sentence where the placement of commas is open to interpretation. Teachers argue that while the officially designated correct answer involves placing commas at specific points, another placement option is equally valid based on grammatical rules and contextual understanding. This discrepancy arises from the sentence’s structure, which can be interpreted in multiple ways depending on the emphasis and intended meaning.

According to a teacher and tutor, the EGE should not contain examples that allow for double interpretation and, as a consequence, double punctuation. The teacher voiced concern that the task ultimately tests the “level of incompetence of the compilers” rather than the students’ knowledge. The teacher also noted that the test part cannot be appealed, adding to the frustration.

Another teacher confirmed that two options for placing commas are possible in the sentence. She explained that understanding how to correctly separate parts of the sentence requires context, which is absent from the task. She pointed out that without additional context, students may struggle to determine the intended meaning and, consequently, the correct punctuation.

Students who encountered this ambiguous task have limited options for recourse. While students can file an appeal if they disagree with their marks or believe exam rules were violated, appealing the content of the test part is typically not permitted. However, students can complain about the exam content directly to Rosobrnadzor, the federal education oversight agency.