GCSE science not challenging enough

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The quality of assessment for the qualification is a "serious cause for concern", Ofqual said.

In a damning report, looking at science GCSEs in 2007 and 2008, the regulator highlighted a number of issues which require "immediate action".

The report said that in many cases the exams did not challenge the brightest pupils, suggesting that they were not hard enough and it was easier than in previous years to get a top grade.

It said: "In each case, Ofqual was concerned that the question types used provided insufficient opportunity for more able candidates, particularly those at higher tier, to demonstrate the extent of the scientific knowledge, understanding and skills."

It found that the syllabuses offered by England's three main exams boards were "over complicated" and there were too many "options" of papers that students could take in order to get the qualification. This made it difficult to compare students' achievements across the board, it said.

In addition, Ofqual found that too much emphasis was placed on pupils sitting multiple choice, or "objective tests."

In the case of courses offered by the AQA and Edexcel exam boards, these tests accounted for 75% and 60% respectively of the overall total.

Schools minister Jim Knight admitted that public confidence in the science exams would be affected, but insisted there was not a problem with the exams system as a whole.

Mr Knight said: "This shows why it is so important that we have a robust independent regulator to guarantee high standards in our exam system. I welcome the immediate actions on science being taken by Ofqual - covering both this year's exams and ensuring any problems with GCSE science are fixed in the longer term."