A-level changes could lead to universities setting own tests

Private school heads indicated that top institutions will need to find new ways of identifying the best candidates.

But they say this could put privately-educated pupils at an advantage to their state school peers if they have access to more help and support needed to prepare for such tests.

Under major exams reforms announced by Education Secretary Michael Gove, AS-levels will no longer count towards final A-level grades, and will become standalone qualifications.

A-levels will revert to traditional two-year courses with final exams at the end. Speaking as the Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference met for their annual meeting in London, Peter Hamilton, headmaster of Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School in Hertfordshire, questioned how popular the new-style AS-levels will be.

He said he would not be surprised if it became the norm for students to study for three A-levels, with time left over for other work. It could be extension work, it also could be very significantly, preparation for university entrance exams because they’re coming in more and more,” he said.

Currently, many top medical schools ask would-be students to sit additional tests.

Some top universities, in particular Oxford and Cambridge, also already require applicants to take additional tests in subjects such as maths and law.

Chris Ramsey, head of the King’s School, Chester, said: “It’s more likely that the most competitive universities will introduce more admissions tests because there isn’t AS to give them a guide to attainment at the lower sixth level.”

He suggested that a would-be medic may do three A-levels in science and maths and spend their remaining time doing preparation work for medical aptitude tests.

“If you take another piece of actual, real objective data away, the risk is either that they will set more tests, or it will become more of a lottery,” he said.

Mr Hamilton said independent schools will find it easier to help support students preparing for university admissions tests.