Thousands of students in the middle range of mathematical ability, feeling, rightly, that they are not 'weak' at maths and should therefore not take the lower, Foundation, tier, are entered for Higher tier.  Unfortunately for most of them the paper is so difficult that they can only access between a quarter and half of it - a dispiriting experience for many.   This also results in low grade boundaries for a 'pass'  that are a target for media ridicule, further demoralising the students.  Intermediate tier should be restored, with Higher Tier reserved for the most able.  Suggested grades: Foundation, 1-4, Intermediate, 4-7, Higher, 6-9.