"Oh, right clever." Tom says, trying to figure how all this works in his head. He realizes, perhaps a bit belatedly, that he's never been to a proper school, and doesn't really know how they work. "And they test you on 'em?"

"Dunno." Without the slightest hint of depression or concern, he says, "Friend says we mostly end up in low-pay shift-work, so..." He shrugs.