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GCSE Maths: New 'Dumbing Down' Claims

Posted on: Saturday, 25 February 2006, 15:00 CST

PUPILS could get a grade A in GCSE maths exams without answering any of the hardest questions in new test papers being piloted, it emerged yesterday.

Teenagers could also get a C grade by answering questions designated only as of E, F and G-grade difficulty, the Times Educational Supplement reported.

The details provoked accusations that the new GCSE maths courses to be taken by the vast majority of pupils from this year will be "dumbed down".

The row followed a report two weeks ago from the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority which found many teachers believed the new maths A-Level had also been dumbed down.

Ministers have agreed changes to GCSE maths, which will take effect from September. The reforms will mean students study one of two tiers, rather than the present three-tier system.

Currently, teenagers on the lowest tier can only achieve a grade D at best.

In a trial of the new two-tier system, the top tier papers covered grades A-D.

The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority is overseeing the changes. Further trials will be held to make sure the exams challenge the brightest pupils.

A QCA spokesman said: "There has been no change to the content of GCSE mathematics.

"The introduction of two-tier GCSE mathematics provides everyone with the opportunity to achieve a grade C.

"The two-tier model will also be designed to challenge the brightest candidates."

Source: Daily Post; Liverpool

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