This short article notes the disruption to public examinations caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and resultant lockdowns. This provides a context to examine the way normreferencing controls the distribution of grades in England's test and examination system. This is viewed as 'the elephant in the exam room', something accepted, normalisedand hidden in plain sight. A proposal is made for a system of criterion referencing, where the hard work of pupils and teachers can be recognised, or where vocational examinations can be rewarded without fears over declining standards. Finland is noted as a school system which is highly regarded within international comparisons.