To Russ, Yes but its better than the competition system, which is more subjective, the problem with competitions is that only a very small percentage can come first or second. children can become discouraged, with an exam a child can feel satisfied with a pass a merit or a distinction, the exam is also done in private so the child is less likely to feel a failure and the results are private , a good teacher can then bolster the childs confidence and encourage them. whereas in a competition the child may have come fifth and feel shes/hes done poorly.