The annual exam game

Words by Michael Rosen

Illustration by Dan Berry

Every year, we know it’s always the same. You and I know that for them it’s a game. Fiddling with examinations they say we need, to ensure that education is up to speed.

They talk about something called ‘comparability’, and that exams and tests measure ability. Omitting to mention that they change the rules, and that we won’t notice because we’re fools.

This year they thought they’d play a trump card: they made key stage 2 reading much too hard. ‘Oh that’s not a problem, we’ll find a way. We’ll change the pass mark,’ they’re bound to say.

So every year they pretend it’s all objective, when really we’re in a system that’s obstructive. Hindering creative learning and investigation, with exams and tests dominating education.