Dumbed-down A-levels

Monday, 16 August 2010 12:00 AM

With A-level results out, the debate over whether they are being dumbed down has returned.

This year saw the introduction of an A* grade for the first time.

Ofqual said it would bring A-levels and GCSEs into line with the world's hardest exams in a bid to restore employers' confidence in the qualifications.

Many more students have applied for university places this year, with the 660,000 applicants up 11% on last year's figures.

Ministers attribute the rise to the recession, with a brutal jobs market encouraging students to spend three years in university.

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