Article: GCSE pupils asked to name an illegal drug; New dumbing-down row over this year's exams.(News)

Byline: Laura Clark Education Correspondent

PUPILS taking this year's GCSE science exams were awarded marks for simply being able to name an illegal drug.

And those taking languages were allowed to take a cue card to prompt them in their oral tests.

The latest revelations are sure to intensify the debate over the ' dumbing down'' of the exam system.

Watchdog Ofqual revealed in March that rigorous science standards had been compromised by reforms to the exams in 2006.

But it warned improvements towards a more acceptable standard will be gradual and that this year's results will still be tainted.

Science exams were ...

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