Leading Article: Mark of distinction

Cambridge's decision to make an A* grade at A-level part of its standard offer to applicants is hardly surprising, although it represents a volte face for that institution.

There were worries that there was not enough evidence to ensure the reliability of predicted A* grades when it was introduced.

However, the grade is there, Cambridge is having to turn away record numbers with three As (more than 5,500 last year), and it needs some way to differentiate between candidates with identical grades.