"I think they're meant to get us a certificate," I said. The marking system did seem odd to me, the ways in which we were meant to demonstrate our understanding felt unfair, because there was so much pressure put on us to do well. I imagined there were people who didn't respond well to that, even if they knew the material.

"It's stupid," I admitted. "At least, I think it is most of the time. Last week I was told I would have marks taken away because I was late."

But that hadn't been my fault. The bus had taken too long.