AN examination board chief has suggested that teenagers should not sit more that 10 GCSEs.

Rod Bristow, president of Pearson, which owns Edexcel, has said that new rules should limit the numbers of exams students can take.

It comes as the exam board has compiled a list of proposals to reform the examination system.

They include tougher A-level tests and new skills assessments at the age of 18.

It has been reported that Mr Bristow said: “You do hear these stories of young people who have come out of school with 17 GCSEs.

You have to ask yourself, ‘if they have spent all that time doing those exams, have they had time for a broader education?’ “I think there is a case for limiting the number of GCSEs. I certainly think when you are getting up towards 15 or 16 it doesn’t sound like it is necessarily very productive.

Most people would say the eight to 10 range is reasonable.”