While the real test for the secondary markets will come later this year, many in the industry say even paper gains will add fuel to the already frothy valuations in the secondary marketplace.
As long as the entrance requirements for universities and senior secondary schools remain based on the results of national exams which primarily test students' ability to memorise, parents will pile on the same pressures.
The top 10% of English secondary pupils also drop behind those in Australia, Scotland Slovenia and Norway, analysis of international test scores indicates.