One in 10 A-level papers could be given top grade, says expert

The predictions are likely to fuel accusations of the dumbing down of exams, after one in 12 A-level entries achieved the A* grade when it was awarded for the first time last summer.

With more universities asking for A* grades, and students and teachers becoming more aware of the requirements, the success rate could leap again this year, it is thought.

However, the overall pass rate could drop slightly, according to education expert Prof Alan Smithers.

Teenagers across England, Wales and Northern Ireland are due to receive their A-level results this Thursday, August 18.

Prof Smithers, of Buckingham University’s Centre for Education and Employment Research, predicted the A* pass rate could rise by at least one per cent.

“I think that the A* is fast becoming the new A,” he said. “Last year 8.1 per cent of exams got an A*, and that was when it wasn’t as important for university entrants.”

Teachers and students were also not well versed in what would be required to achieve the grade, Prof Smithers added.

This year, they are likely to be more aware of what is needed for an A*, and at the same time more universities are asking for it – therefore making it more important to students.

“One might expect that it (A*) will go up by nearly one percentage point, maybe even more,” Prof Smithers said. “Twenty-five years ago 10 per cent got an A. This year it’s likely to be nine per cent or more getting an A*.”

The increase in A* grades is also likely to have a knock-on effect on the numbers of A grades, with more students also hitting that mark. Last year, 27 per cent – more than a quarter – of A-level entries were awarded at least one grade A, but Prof Smithers said that could rise to 27.5 per cent this year.

The A* grade was awarded for the first time last year. To achieve it, pupils must get an A overall, as well as at least 90 per cent of all the marks available in the second year of their course.

A-levels have also been revamped, with pupils taking four modules instead of six, and answering “stretch and challenge” questions designed to allow students to fully demonstrate their knowledge.

It is these changes that could contribute to an overall drop in the pass rate, it was suggested.

Figures for 2010 show that the pass rate rose for the 28th year in a row, with 97.6 per cent of entries awarded at least an E grade. Prof Smithers predicted that the pass rate could go up by 0.1 per cent, but added it is “pretty close to the ceiling”.

Meanwhile Dr Mary Bousted, general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, raised concerns that thousands of young people with good A-level results could miss out on university this autumn due to a shortage of places, leaving them facing the prospect of paying triple in tuition fees next year.

She said: “We hope that despite mistakes in exam papers this year, the A-level results will reflect the hard work put in by thousands of students and teachers.

“But this year, more than ever, we fear for the thousands of students who miss out on a university place and face paying three times more next year or struggle to find careers advice following Government cuts.”

This summer’s A-level and GCSE exams have been beset by errors.

AVERAGE weekly rents for student accommodation now stand at £67.11, up three per cent on last year, according to a study by the website accommodationforstudents.com.

However, rents in York – averaging £66.96 – have seen rises of six per cent, double the national average.

Not surprisingly, students pay the most in London, where the average weekly rent is £108.03. The cheapest place for student rent is Middlesbrough, at £43.68.