Aston University Business School work psychologist discusses whether exams are fit for purpose now, ahead of GCSE results day on Thursday.
Dr Paul Jones has critiqued GCSE exams which were originally designed in the 1980s. He made comments that the exam system actually narrows thinking when emphasising “right answers”, and is now a stressful halfway checkpoint, that often does more harm than good.
GCSEs are seen as a system that has prioritised bureaucracy, league tables, and exam statistics over wellbeing, with research showing that they are linked to anxiety, sleeplessness and even self-harm.
Rather than preparing students for future life, exams reward the ability to memorise and recall information under pressure – which more than not, does not reflect real situations.
Beyond this stage of education, employers and universities are looking for young people who can think critically, manage their own learning, collaborate, and adapt; but instead students are burnt out from years of high-stakes testing. This leads to young people struggling with independence, risk-taking, and curiosity – the very skills they need to excel in life.
Dr Paul argues that innovation actually requires psychological safety, where students have the freedom to explore, experiment, and make mistakes.
Considering the rise of AI, we are in a world that can already handle routine tasks like recall and pattern analysis, so our human edge is exactly what these exams are suppressing: breaking moulds, challenging assumptions, and combining knowledge in new ways.
Paul provided his vision for the future of GCSEs, stating: “We need fewer, smarter assessments and a curriculum that builds creativity, resilience, and innovation. Other countries use project-based learning, portfolios, and sampling tests to capture what young people can really do.
“Wales is already embedding wellbeing and digital skills into its new curriculum. England risks being left behind if it continues to cling to an exam-heavy model designed for a different era.”
Dr Jones says that the bottom line is that young people deserve an education that prepares them for life – not just GCSEs. They need to be prepared to thrive in a fast-changing, AI-driven world.
