The Telegraph – Javier Espinoza
” Hayfever sufferers who sat GCSEs and A-levels this summer could have dropped a grade due to ‘very high’ pollen count, new research suggests. The study found new evidence that hayfever damages pupils’ education because they are more likely to do worse in their exams and this could in turn impact their ability to enter a reputable university. It has been established that those suffering from hayfever symptoms and from side effects from medication to treat the allergy have less concentration during exams. But the new research has established that students taking their exams with a high pollen count score around three per cent worse than similar students taking exams on other days. The met office declared “very high” pollen levels in the middle of June, around the fifth week of A level and GCSEs exams, which could have led to British pupils losing a grade. The study also found students suffering hayfever are also 10 per cent less likely to enrol in prestigious universities and study the STEM subjects of science, technology, engineering and maths.”(more)