Survey Reveals 80% of UK Parents Struggle with GCSE Maths, Impacting Children's Exam Prep
June 4, 2025
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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Sources

Daily Mirror • Jun 3, 2025
Most parents are unable to answer this 'tough' GCSE maths question
Liverpool Echo • Jun 3, 2025
Hundreds of parents unable to answer 'tough' GCSE maths exam question