to think people should stop complaining that exams are too hard?

[grimupnorthLondon]

DD's school is awash with parents sending angry emails to GCSE exam boards because their kids thought the questions were too hard? There is widespread demanding that 'something must be done'.

I think I'm partly annoyed by the continuation of helicopter parenting, wanting to swoop when a child, even in late teens, faces any challenge. But also there seems to be no understanding of the fact that some things just ARE difficult. If you don't 'get' physics, or you don't 'get' poetry, why should the exam be adapted so that you can pass it? Some people will do less well than others in academic areas (my DD is a very middle of the road performer), but may of course have amazing practical or social skills that will open up other opportunities for them.

In the case of some of the exams being complained about, I know from DD's experience that the teaching was very good and they covered the appropriate syllabus material so it is not a question of the school not preparing them.

Can't we just accept that sometimes things are difficult? That they need to be so that everyone is "stretched" to achieve at their own best level?

I think the biology question about an independent company is a crucial point that should be drummed into every member of society - just because a newspaper prints a new scientific "finding", don't just accept it as fact. Look at who carried out (and more importantly, funded) the research and think about what might be their vested interest in the results.

You only have to look back to tobacco companies paying doctors to tell people how healthy smoking was. Anyone who thinks that kind of thing isn't still going on (in a more subtle, sophisticated way) is deluding themselves.

This is exactly the kind of science education kids should be getting and I wish that we'd had it in my day instead of drawing endless diagrams of ameoba

This is exactly the kind of science education kids should be getting and I wish that we'd had it in my day

I agree with you and although DSs says he hadn't covered it as such in biology classes and revision they have discussed it in other subjects and it is something over the years we as a family have had discussions and debates about over tea. ( besides many things from the political situation in North Korea to teenage pregnancies to whether The 1975 are a better band than the Vacinnes)

YANBU

I have heard a lot of controversy about the GCSE papers though, I don't think it was the difficulty but rather the content.

In regards to exams overall, yes they should be difficult. When I did my degree people were harping on that it should be easier so the course would be more 'accessible' and 'inclusive'. Erm no. It's not supposed to be a free for all, you need to show you have earned your way onto this course and that you can achieve the standards expected of you.

OCR 21st century science was designed to give pupils a more 'real life' version of the science content, but has been criticised for dumbing down so you can't win!
As an aside, bias in science reporting is part of the How Science Works section of the AQA Biology course so they should be able to work out what an independent company is from that...

Complain to the education secretary not the exam boards if you feel strongly. Do not shoot the messenger.

Setbacks are part of life- even glory seeking Manchester United supporters have to face that from time to time (let's hope this afternoon!)