Removing the pass mark

Madam, - Is it time we changed the way we look at academic examination results? Academic results are like athletic or racing results; beginning with first place they continue right the way down to last place to form a continuum of achievement. In athletics, however, there is no "pass mark" or "time" below which an athlete's performance is declared unacceptable. No athlete is declared a failure. No athlete is formally disowned by a governing body.

Removing the "pass mark" in academic examinations would remove gratuitous negativity. All else would remain the same. - Yours, etc,

RORY BUCKLEY,

Woodpark,

Ballinteer,

Dublin 16.