Madam, I read with interest your editorial in the 25th August edition of your newspaper, and wish to comment on the subject of whether exams are now easier than before
I can only really comment on the many exams I took in the 1970s, at O and A Level, when there was none of the following:
1. multiple choice questions
2. continual assessment (sometimes internally) rather than one exam at the end of the year
3. the ability to retake a module two or three times, subject to paying a retake fee
I was certainly unaware of the latter until very recently, which to me could disadvantage those parents on lower incomes.
In consequence of the above, whilst congratulations are certainly in order for those students who have obtained the grades they require, I cannot help but think the above may well play at least some part in the increase in grades. It could also lead to the surprising position that students with grade As are, in some cases, not getting onto the courses they apply for
Mark Robinson, Sellack