With external exams being cancelled across both Scotland and Wales it has left the remaining students in both Northern Ireland and England in a disadvantaged position.
With many applying to the same universities whether in their own country or beyond, mixing predicted grades with exam grades is leading for an unfair disadvantage for both Northern Ireland and English students. They are now relying on external exam grades which are sat at a stressful time of the year rather than considering their hard work throughout the year which will supply all students with the grades they deserve. 
Our aim is to gain equality across all the exam boards. We believe that this can be achieved by cancelling all exams or reducing units (For example, 20%) to give students the best opportunity.
After all, we are all competing for the same places in universities. With many pupils isolating we have been left with a false attendance rate that is being projected to the exam boards. The statistics in Northern Ireland have said 94% (as of September 2020) of pupils are attending school but this is including those pupils who are isolating and missing out on crucial learning. The real attendance of pupils in school needs to be projected to show the exam bodies that there are so many pupils at a disadvantage due to the COVID-19 isolation which is spreading throughout our schools.
If the education minister took a step within different school grounds I am sure that their opinions would quickly change due to seeing first hand that both teachers and students are struggling with stress due to the uncertainty of exams in 2021.
A decision needs to be made now. Answers are needed in order to provide both teachers and students with clarity of our futures. 
Thank you for taking the time to read this petition created by the 6th form students of Dromore High school.