We test and examine our kids such a lot – and lots clearly and undoubtedly work really hard and do perform really well.
There is the issue of apparent grade inflation and the ever-rising pass rate. Some people also say that exams are getting easier.
The BBC here ( http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/6972117.stm ) publish some comments about the recent exam results. Passing over why they might choose to start with a long diatribe against public schools, the next comment got me thinking.
With all the new technology, the internet in particular, things are a lot easier.
Sinead, Leicestershire
Does this mean life in general, or doing the research work for the exams?
It does bother me that the pass rate for certain GCSEs is in excess of 99% – what is the point of having an exam if it is virtually impossible to fail?
The analysis by examiners of certain subjects is fascinating. One on Science is here ( http://www.edexcel.org.uk/VirtualContent/94685/2101_GCSE_Science_rep_20070823.pdf ) which contains the curious fact that at the higher tier of one element of GCSE Science, candidates were having trouble with maths :
Higher tier : Higher tier candidates had difficulties with mathematical calculations with 26% of candidates able to multiply 600 by 12.