'So stressful' - teachers and pupils say new GCSEs are leading to burnout BBC The new GCSEs mean, in some subjects, up to 40% of the final grade is based on non-examined assessments (NEAs) Teachers are warning that new GCSE requirements in Wales are causing "intolerable strain", with more regular assessments leading to burnout among staff and pupils. The new qualifications , which began being implemented in Wales last September, place up to 40% of the final grade on non-examined assessments (NEAs) taken under teacher supervision. This means that, in some subjects, pupils are now doing up to 26 hours of assessments, over two years, during school hours. It has led to calls for a review of the NEAs, after a survey of more than 400 teachers found widespread concerns about the volume of marking, moderation and administration required. Teachers of English, Welsh and Religious Studies reported the greatest number of issues - particularly citing an increase in classroom-based tests.…