A-level exams system is 'not fit for purpose'

A-levels "strangle scholarship" and are not "fit for purpose" in preparing students for university, according to Sir Mike Tomlinson, who led a government inquiry into exam reform.

The former chief schools inspector who headed an inquiry into the future of secondary education, told a conference in London yesterday that there were "searching questions" to be answered about the exam.

"At the moment it is strangling scholarship and reducing students to identifying key points that collect marks rather than sustain argument," he said. The exam was just about "regurgitating knowledge".

He called for a massive reduction in the number of resits for pupils – possibly leading to an outright ban – and a return to the days of the terminal examination at the end of the two-year course. At present, students sit four modules during the two years – each of which gain marks for the final A-level grade. They can retake modules if they wish. Sir Mike, who was speaking at a conference organised by the Higher Education Policy Institute – one of the country's leading university-level think-tanks – also called for more searching questions to be set, which would allow students to develop an argument and show creative thinking skills.

He said afterwards that too many students were retaking A-level modules to get higher marks even when their work had merited an A grade because it would help them impress admissions staff on sought-after university courses.

"There must be a reconsideration of resit arrangements," he said. "I'd like to see far fewer than we've got at the moment and I'd like to reduce it to perhaps none.

"I'd also like to revise it towards more of a subject-based exam where assessment rewards scholarship and not just producing the three words you know are going to get marks in answer to a question.

"An A-level in terms of what we expect of student ability is different to what it was when I did A-levels." However, he added, there had never been a "golden age" for A-levels.

As a result of his inquiry, Sir Mike recommended setting up an overarching diploma which would cover both the academic A-levels and GCSEs and new vocational qualifications. However, this was rejected by Tony Blair, who was prime minister at the time. The Government has now launched its own diplomas to run alongside A-levels which Ed Balls, the Schools Secretary, believes could eventually take over as the main route in education.

The Government has moved to strengthen A-levels by introducing an A* grade and tougher questions from this September. In addition, an extended essay project – to develop creative thinking skills – is now available to be sat alongside A-levels. It is worth an AS-level pass.

Meanwhile, Anthony McClaran, chief executive of UCAS, the body through which applications are processed for entry to higher education, told the same conference that universities were shunning the use of A-level marks and had voiced reluctance to use the new A* grade to differentiate between potential candidates.

Academics have said that using marks and A* grade passes could favour independent schools.

Mr McClaran added that – for the first time next year – students who had done better than expected in their A-levels would be given five days in which to apply for a course at a more prestigious university. Any existing offers would be held for them over this period.