One exam stream for each subject needed!
- Nevil Chiles
- Aug 2, 2013
- 1 min read
More pupils taking GCSEs earlier
The fact that students are retaking subjects using different examination boards once again clearly outlines the shortfalls in the present system.
There should be only one examination stream for each subject in compulsory education. Otherwise, how can we possibly compare pier groups accurately? Taking exams early is often used by schools to attempt to get struggling students through and giving them the opportunity to retake in the year that they really should have been taking the qualification. This is gaming the system but with schools involved in an inquisition-type system with league tables it is a natural thing to do. The only way to prevent this happening is to implement strict age guidelines for taking examinations.
Only in exceptional circumstances should children in the incorrect age band be allowed to sit the exams.