Study probes rise in A-level grades

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Academics from Durham University found that average results for students had improved by more than two grades in most subjects since the 1980s - or about a tenth of a grade a year - even though students were no cleverer.

The increase was as big as 3.5 grades over the two decades in maths.

The A-level pass rate has been rising consistently for many years, and last year the proportion of exam entries awarded A grades hit 25.3%.

The new findings, published as part of a review of A-levels by the Institute of Directors, investigated standards achieved in A-levels between 1988 and 2007.

These were compared with the results of aptitude tests over the same period, which tested students' skills in various subjects without testing curriculum knowledge.

Pupils with similar results in the aptitude exam went on to score much better A-levels in 2007 than in 1988, they concluded.

For example, the average student gained an E in biology in 1988 but those of the same ability were awarded C grades in 2007. In maths, average students gained a U (ungraded) in 1988, but a low B in 2007.

The research was led by Robert Coe and Peter Tymms, from Durham's Curriculum, Evaluation and Management Centre.

Dr Coe said: "It was quite a surprise to see it so clearly. The scale of the difference is so big. At some point people must read what I and other people have written about it and it can't just keep going. Some robust mechanism will be put in place to stop the increase each year."