Maths GCSE too hard, says man behind the exam
The maths GCSE should be scrapped because it is too difficult for less able students, the architect of the modern exam system has said. Lord Baker, who was education secretary in the Eighties, said many schoolleavers were starting work unable to do the most basic sums.
THE maths GCSE should be scrapped because it is too difficult for less able students, the architect of the modern exam system says.
Lord Baker, who was education secretary under Margaret Thatcher, said many school-leavers entering the workplace were unable to do basic sums.
“The level of numeracy at 16 has been a problem for quite a long time,” he said. “[Bosses] want someone who can master numbers, someone who is numerate.”
Lord Baker suggests that the current maths GCSE should be axed and replaced with two separate exams: a core maths paper and an optional further maths paper for more able students.
He told The Daily Telegraph: “There’s a huge difference between numeracy and maths. Very often youngsters can fail maths, or not do very well at [it] because they are not very good at calculus, trigonometry or geometry. That’s a pity in my view. It would be very nice for youngsters if they could say ‘look I’ve got a numeracy test’.
“Core maths would be compulsory and further maths should be offered to everyone but they might find it’s not their cup of tea or they can’t cope.”
A core maths paper would be a more “attainable target” for many 16-yearolds, he added. Excusing them from taking the further maths paper would free up their time, allowing them to concentrate on mastering numeracy. He added: “I am not trying to deny anyone access to further maths, no no, no. You mustn’t stop teaching geometry and so on,” he said, noting that other subjects were already split into two, such as English literature and English language.
A survey of 11,000 adults, commissioned by the charity National Numeracy, found almost half (45 per cent) struggle with everyday tasks involving numeracy. ♦ Pupils are to be banned from wearing watches in exams amid concerns about cheating and the use of secret smart devices, it has emerged.
The Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) announced the new rule ahead of GCSE and A-levels this summer.
Smart watches, along with mobile phones, have long been banned from exam halls. However, this is the first time that students face being censured for wearing traditional wrist watches.
Pupils will have to lay them out on their desk rather than wear them. The move comes amid concern about pupils cheating by smuggling in smart watches disguised as a traditional timekeeping device. Some digital watches include an “emergency button” to quickly switch from text to a clock face. They can hold data or written information which could be read in exams.
Watches have appeared for sale online with the claim that they have been “specifically designed for cheating in exams”.