Academics in England increasingly believe A level standards are falling and the pivotal examinations do not prepare students for work or further study.
The lingering effects of what happened during the pandemic – when most exams were cancelled and replaced with teacher-assessed grades – and a lack of understanding over how marks are awarded and maintained has contributed to the increased disillusionment, experts said.
A recent annual survey by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) highlighted the negative views of academics, who were polled alongside other interest groups on their opinions of the 2022 examinations; the first year exams returned following the Covid hiatus.
Of the 250 academics who took part, 35 per cent said A level standards are not maintained year-on-year – up from only 20 per cent two years previously.
