Cambridge don sets out historic events pupils must learn "A very important part of any examination even at GCSE level - and you might only be talking about a couple of sides of script - is to be able to present a connected argument and to do it independently," he said. He said that the current exams reward pupils who memorise and regurgitate mark schemes and penalise youngsters who try to demonstrate originality and insight. The proposed curriculum was produced for the think-tank Politeia. Robert Tombs, professor of history at St John's College, Cambridge, warned that students were "drilled into writing" in a formulaic manner between the age of 11 and 18, leaving them unable to articulate their ideas on degree courses. David Abulafia, professor of Mediterranean history at Gonville and Caius College, also told how extremely bright students were "grappling with difficulties" that "would have been inconceivable" in the past, even among their weakest classmates. The comments come amid growing concerns over levels of basic skills among school leavers. A study last year suggested that almost half of employers were being forced to provide remedial lessons in the three-Rs because teenagers finish compulsory education lacking good levels of English and maths.