GCSE and A-level students relying on sob stories to boost their marks

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Students are telling an increasing number of sob stories to win extra marks in their GCSE or A-levels.

Excuses such as a favourite pet dying on exam day or a bout of hay fever can boost results by up to 5 per cent on appeal.

The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority has reported a 9 per cent rise in successful claims last year, with only three in 100 turned down.

Students are given a week after each exam to make a plea for special consideration through their school.

There is even a tariff of appeal grounds, ranging from a 2 per cent upgrade for "serious hay fever" or a broken limb on the mend up to 5 per cent in "exceptional circumstances".

In 2007, there were 300,378 requests for special consideration granted compared to 274,967 in 2006 and 255,200 in 2005.

Nick Seaton, chairman of the Campaign for Real Education, said: "These figures are extremely shocking.

"The very numbers suggest there is quite a lot of abuse taking place."