A third of parents believe they would fail today’s GCSE exams
A new survey by revision resources platform Save My Exams, finds 36 percent of British parents believe they would not pass their child’s GCSE exams.
Save My Exams surveyed 500 parents of secondary school puppies in the UK in April 2025. Parents were the least confident about STEM subjects, with 34 percent believing they would be unable to pass Science and 33 percent believing they would be most likely to fail GCSE Maths.
More than a quarter (28 percent) expressed a lack of confidence in their child passing their GCSEs this year.
The survey also shared exam questions from the foundation and higher paper of Pearson Edexcel GCSE Paper in November 2023 and found 85 percent of parents were unable to correctly answer a GCSE Maths question.
Despite this, just seven percent of parents said they do not help their child with exam revision. The survey also found seven in every ten parents felt pressured to help their child and more than a quarter felt guilty when they couldn’t offer support.
Lucy Kirkham, Head of STEM at Save My Exams, says: “Many students find this an incredibly stressful time, putting an awful lot of pressure on themselves to achieve or exceed their predicted grades.
“For parents, it can sometimes feel overwhelming when supporting your child through exam season. However, there are many great resources that can and should be utilized to benefit your child's revision, including online educational resources and school teachers.”
Earlier this year, another SaveMyExams study found 85 percent of UK students suffer from exam anxiety, with 71 percent of them not seeking any support.
Kirkham offered advice for parents struggling to help their child revise, adding: “We suggest that you begin by helping your child find their focus by setting up a quiet, tidy space where they can revise without interruptions. Switch off background noise like the TV, and gently encourage them to take a break from social media while studying. A calm environment can really help take the edge off and make it easier to concentrate.”
“Revising for hours isn’t always the best route. When time is tight, shorter bursts of revision of 25 to 30 minutes with regular short breaks in between often work better. Also make sure your child is eating properly, drinking plenty of water, and getting enough rest too. The brain retains information better when rested and nourished.
“Lastly, remember to simply stay positive and reassure them when they need it. Listen if they're stressed and help them put things in perspective and avoid comparing them to others. Showing you're proud of them can help boost confidence significantly.”
