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A teen's passionate rant about the 'unfair' new GCSE grading system has been shared thousands of times by sympathetic parents, teachers and students after she revealed her fellow students are 'breaking down in class' and 'crying in the toilets'.

Emma Jameson will be taking her exams in a few weeks and is incredibly concerned about the new 9-1 system, replacing the old A*-U letter grades for some subjects.

English language, English literature and maths are the first subjects to use the new system, with most other subjects adopting numbers by 2019.

But Emma believes this change is severely affecting the mental health of teenagers.

(Image: Getty)

She explained the difference in English and Maths exams, saying she has to memorise two books, a play and 15 poems - as well as countless formulas.

"The standards have increased so drastically, that the second set in our school that would be achieving B-A grades are now being moved on to foundation tier for the new system (in which the highest grade possible is equivalent to a C) just to have a shot at passing the exam.

"At school, we are not taught about our subject or inspired to learn, we are informed of what examiners want to hear.

"It is a test of memory if nothing else."

"Of course I can't speak on behalf of everyone my age, but in my school, everyone's mental health isn't exactly tip top.

(Image: Getty)

"Despite support from teachers, they know there isn't much they can do as it is the government that puts pressure on them.

"It's not uncommon to see us roaming corridors with faded looks in our eyes or crying in the toilets and I've kind of got used to people breaking down in the middle of a lesson.

"Looking around a classroom 3 weeks away from exams, I see a group of kids slumped over desks with books closed and minds shut off to the work as well."

"We're all exhausted"

"There is a healthy amount of challenge and stress but honestly I find this ridiculous.

"I really value my education and want to do well in my exams, but the truth is it is so extremely hard to do that and I think the amount of pressure we're under is pushed to the side because people don't understand and label us as a lazy young generation."

(Image: Getty)

The government readily admits on its website that "new GCSE content will be more challenging" and that "fewer grade 9s will be awarded than A*s."

Emma's post has racked up almost 28,000 shares and more than 6,000 comments on Facebook from sympathetic Brits.

Eric Sawyer commented: "Literally made me cry. I'd give her an A for that essay.



"Plus her English is considerably better than an alarmingly ever increasing proportion, of the British population."

Laura Mowbray said: "Having to learn books/ poems word for word is very harsh and unnecessary- why would you ever need to do that in real life??!! (sic)

"Give the text and then ask questions....The pressure the children are under is immense and the balance is not right at all. Gosh I wish them all the luck over the next few weeks."

Others weren't so sympathetic.

Some argued that exams are made to be difficult and that students have been memorising texts for years.

Maureen Rowe commented: "So basically you want this exam on a plate.. There's no point in an exam if you don't have to work for it."