Here's a puzzle for you

[EternalOptimist]

Yes, but there are various ways of marking the forms. It would, for example, probably be cheaper to print identical papers and have candidates fill in their candidate number or name, or attach a sticker or similar identifying mark. If this were the case then scanning the papers of absentees would not provide information about which specific candidates were absent, and your solution wouldn't work. Hence the information you didn't originally supply about each paper having a unique barcode suddenly becomes very significant.

he hasnt even considered the first thing most of these little bastids would consider , which is fraud

[mudskipper]

I added no constraint that said no one was allowed to ask questions.

Your question was:

"Name one piece of information given from puzzle 2 that was not mentioned right at the start, which was a vital piece of information that prevented the solution being found?"

[mudskipper]

You could tattoo barcodes onto the kids and scan them on the way into the exam hall.

In fact, many schools now have fingerprint scanner thingies, so you could tap into that system.

[suityou01]

Yes, but there are various ways of marking the forms. It would, for example, probably be cheaper to print identical papers and have candidates fill in their candidate number or name, or attach a sticker or similar identifying mark. If this were the case then scanning the papers of absentees would not provide information about which specific candidates were absent, and your solution wouldn't work. Hence the information you didn't originally supply about each paper having a unique barcode suddenly becomes very significant.

It does. You are right. I concede that point. I am sorry.
I believe a question was asked to which I replied "barcode" rather unfairly in 40 point font. So regardless of my rudeness the fact later became known so it was therefore in people's grasp to solve the problem still.

[suityou01]

Your question was:

"Name one piece of information given from puzzle 2 that was not mentioned right at the start, which was a vital piece of information that prevented the solution being found?"

Yes. You are right. Again I concede this point. I am sorry. Stupid bloody thread, wish I'd never started it

[eek]

Yes. You are right. Again I concede this point. I am sorry. Stupid bloody thread, wish I'd never started

FTFY HTH but you know we'll pick on any flaw or weakness mercilessly forever more...

[doodab]

Stupid bloody thread, wish I'd never started it

CUK is a dangerous place to try and prove how clever you are.

[suityou01]

CUK is a dangerous place to try and prove how clever you are.

I wasn't. Honest. I was trying to prove how thick folks are. All I wanted as a few and some sympathetic anecdotes about similar work related issues where the Client is slow on the uptake.

[mudskipper]

I wasn't. Honest. I was trying to prove how thick folks are. All I wanted as a few and some sympathetic anecdotes about similar work related issues where the Client is slow on the uptake.

Ah yes, but if you come over all smug and superior, you can expect people to rip the tulip out of any holes in your logic.

[EternalOptimist]

I wasn't. Honest. I was trying to prove how thick folks are. All I wanted as a few and some sympathetic anecdotes about similar work related issues where the Client is slow on the uptake.

just before he snuffed it, my dear old dad said to me 'son, if you ever say to someone, its obvious isnt it?, then you are being a thicko, not them'

he didnt actually say that, but its obvious isnt it ?