Sixth-formers to be spared a year of exams

Secondary pupils may be spared the strain of studying for three years of consecutive exams. Forcing sixth-formers to take AS-level exams at the end of their first year in the sixth should stop as soon as possible, Mike Tomlinson has told a seminar of independent school heads.

Secondary pupils may be spared the strain of studying for three years of consecutive exams. Forcing sixth-formers to take AS-level exams at the end of their first year in the sixth should stop as soon as possible, Mike Tomlinson has told a seminar of independent school heads.

The former chief schools inspector, who is heading a government inquiry into exam reform, says A and AS levels could be "decoupled" from September 2006. This means that if a pupil is taking a subject at A level, they will be spared from also sitting an AS level in the subject.

At present most sixth-formers take four subjects at AS level, then drop their weakest in the second year. In future they would be likely to sit only one AS level, designed primarily to show university admissions staff evidence of breadth of study.

Mr Tomlinson will publish his final report in September.