Survey Reveals 80% of UK Parents Struggle with GCSE Maths, Impacting Children's Exam Prep

June 4, 2025
Survey Reveals 80% of UK Parents Struggle with GCSE Maths, Impacting Children's Exam Prep
  • Initially, Chris had £90 and Errol had £60, and the question required calculating the amount Chris gave to Errol after adjusting their shares.

  • Among the 500 parents surveyed, 85% did not score any marks on the maths question, with 55% answering incorrectly and 30% not attempting it at all, risking valuable exam points.

  • Over 30% of parents expressed a lack of confidence in their ability to help their children succeed in GCSE exams, with 28% doubting their child's success this year.

  • This lack of confidence reflects the immense pressure families face during the exam season, as many parents feel unprepared to support their children.

  • Kirkham emphasized the importance of understanding changing ratios in solving such complex questions, which can be crucial for students' success in their exams.

  • The survey highlights a significant gap in parental understanding of the material, which could impact students' performance in their GCSEs.

  • The findings of this survey raise concerns about the level of support students are receiving at home as they prepare for critical exams.

  • The question's complexity illustrates the challenges faced not only by students but also by parents trying to guide them through their studies.

  • Overall, the survey results point to a pressing need for better resources and support for parents to help their children navigate the GCSE exam landscape.

  • A recent survey conducted by Save My Exams revealed that 80% of UK parents struggled to solve a past GCSE maths question, underscoring the difficulties they face in assisting their children with exam preparation.

  • The challenging maths question involved calculating how much Chris transferred to Errol after sharing money in a specific ratio, which many parents found difficult.

  • Lucy Kirkham, head of STEM at Save My Exams, explained that solving the question required determining the value of one part of the ratio, which was calculated to be £30.

Summary based on 2 sources


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