Students face tougher tests to identify the brightest

A new A* grade will be introduced for the first time alongside more difficult questions to stretch the brightest pupils.

As the pass rate rose for the 27th year in succession, exam chiefs suggested that a complete overhaul of the A-level grading system could be necessary.

Greg Watson, head of the OCR exam board, said it may be time to "crank up the standard" to pick out the very best students. "There is a need to create some greater difference at the top end," he said.

His colleague, Jerry Jarvis, head of the Edexcel exam board, suggested "recalibrating" the value of A-level grades. Under such a review, students may need to score 85 per cent of the marks for an A, instead of 80, for example. Candidates could also be given percentages as well as overall grades in the future, Mr Jarvis suggested.

"It's a perennial problem," he said. "A-level is still a hugely trusted brand but it will suffer from increasing discrimination issues as more and more students make that grade. We should have a debate about recalibration."

Today's grades sparked fresh concern that universities will struggle to discriminate between growing numbers of teenagers who achieve the best marks. Sixth-formers across the country face intense competition for degree courses. The unprecedented success rate — and a record rise in applicants in the recession — meant up to seven candidates were chasing every vacancy in the clearing process.

The results, released today by exam boards, showed:

* The pass rate rose again to 97.5 per cent — just one in 40 failed.

* 26.7 per cent of A-level exams were awarded the top A grade, up from 25.9 per cent last year.

* For the first time more than three-quarters of A-level entries were awarded at least a C grade, with more than half receiving a B.

* 11.7 per cent of grades for the new A-level extended project were awarded the new A* grade for the first time.

Jim Sinclair, director of the Joint Council for Qualifications, which published the results, said the record grades were the result of "the hard work of students and teachers, who deserve to be congratulated".

However, universities warned that thousands of students face a fight to find a place. Admissions service Ucas said a record 371,000 university applicants have had places confirmed.

Ucas chief executive Anthony McClaran said: "Clearing is very competitive but, as is always the case, those students who achieve the grades asked for under the terms of their offers will be guaranteed a place."