Are A level examinations now easier?

[tonywiltshire]

I only have A levels, no degree, but I believe the examinations for A levels were far harder when I took them than some of the examples I have seen of current examinations requirements. Are A level examinations now easier?

[tonywiltshire]

For examinations requirements read examination requirements, poor grammar.

[cathfromsaron]

A levels used to be 'one day to pass or fail' affairs, but now there is project/assignment ongoing assessment and so the memory work is less important. also it used to be norm referenced (a certain percentage always getting a certain grade and the rest failing) but now it is target reference, so anyone making the correct answers can get a good grade. having done A levels under both systems, i think they are 'different' and not necessarily 'easier'.

i would also say that the way university places are distributed based solely on these grades means that this marking system doesn't adequately take into account other skills (never has really) and getting in is harder, let alone it being affordable.

personally, i would like to see many more apprenticeship-style vocational places brought back.

[grffindoor2011]

I have a copy of an A level paper from 1984 and did compare it with a relatives sample copy a couple of years ago. You think correct tonywiltshire. A level now is quite frankly embarassing.

The junior apprentice the other day when they thought 3x4 was 28 (girls who had A star plus in GCSE) should leave you in no doubt that it is the teaching methods that are the failure.

[JimmyCooper]

Without a doubt they are now easier.

been loads of cases whereby old o level questions appear on a level papers

[factor-fiction]

"The junior apprentice the other day when they thought 3x4 was 28 (girls who had A star plus in GCSE) should leave you in no doubt that it is the teaching methods that are the failure."
Teaching methods may not always be perfect but the key problem is the poor attitude to learning.

I'm not sure there is as much course work in some GCSEs and A levels as people imagine. I am not aware of any course work in Maths, for example.
Certainly A level maths is easier since it includes a lot of stuff such as calculus which used to be part of 'O' level. But you have to be careful when looking at A level papers- if you are looking at an AS paper that's just the first year of A level. You really need to look at the A2 paper.

Has anyone got an example of an easy A level paper Maths question?