> secondary school pupils aren't able to pass maths and physics exams from 30 or 40 years ago

But can pupils from 30 or 40 years ago pass today's exams?

I actually did a few math exams recently (I was helping someone study for them), and they were really too easy. I had a hard time catching up with uni maths after breezing through secondary school, but if they nowadays enter with that level, it must be a nightmare.