Why can in it not be just pass or fail where the overall top 35% pass with distinction, the next 35% pass, the remaining 30% fail the difficulty of the exam would then be felt and be the same for all concerned.
Sorry I wasnt very clear the assessment was 1-9 but I converted that to what I thought was modern day terminology of A - B . I should stick with the old format.
I am reasonably sure that I read that everybody passes now, so as to not upset the less academic but the pass is on grades A - D so D although ' a pass' is not recognised by many as such or did I read this wrongly.