High-stakes tests are common in England’s schools – and they’re linked to a fear of failure

high-stakes-tests-are-common-in-englands-schools-and-theyre-linked-to-a-fear-of-failure-269459 The UK government has committed to reducing the amount of time pupils spend in GCSE exams in England by up to three hours on average.This comes after recommendations to cut exam time were made in an independent review of the national curriculum and school assessment.Professor Becky Francis, who led the review, has said: "Exams are currently this very stressful, elongated period that young people have to endure, and it's an unusually long period in England."But the government has announced the introduction of a new test.Children in year eight will take a reading assessment, intended to improve standards before they take their GCSEs.This seems to be different from the diagnostic tests in English and maths (also in year eight) recommended in the independent review's final report.Children in England are among the most tested in the world and are set to remain so.However, frequent testing isn't a requirement of school education -and it could be having a serious effect on children's wellbeing.wavebreakmedia/Shutterstock High-stakes tests are common in England's schools -and they're linked to a fear of failure Published: December 2, 2025 6.31pm GMT 03-12-2025, 15:01 High-stakes tests are common in England's schools -and they're linked to a fear of failure https://theconversation.com/high-stakes-tests-are-common-in-englands-schools-and-theyre-linked-to-a-fear-of-failure-269459 1/3