Indeed, for many of the more able students, pressure exists to provetheir academic superiority by not only achieving straight A grades, butalso taking more subjects as well as qualifications such as advancedextension awards where only merits and distinctions are given in singlesubjects.
Universities find it hard to differentiate between students and many areset to introduce entry exams and more rigorous entry criteria.
Some feel current results imply the system isn't working: the fact thatstudents can re-sit for higher grades and drop their worst A-levelsubjects after the first year makes it difficult to fail.
But doesn't this system encourage perseverance? It means one has theoption to succeed in further education rather than to surrender tofailure.
John Dunford, the general secretary of the Secondary Heads Association,claims students choose "easy" subjects, citing the shift from studyingmaths, languages and sciences to arts and humanities subjects. There arealso calls for educational reform in the shape of vocational diplomas.Having achieved A grades in history, politics, and philosophy, and anadvanced extension award in history, I find it a tad demeaning to hearthey are not as worthy as subjects such as maths.
Maybe there is a problem with the system, but this should not detractfrom the achievements of students who have struggled for their grades.The attitude that A-levels are being "dumbed down" due to an increasinghomogeneiety of results is discouraging for students, and is perhapsindicative of a cynical and elitist society.
- Viran Pandya, 18, Young NCB member.
