Cambridge University warns against A-level reforms

July 23 2010

Cambridge University has warned that reforming A-levels by axing AS-levels could make admissions processes more difficult.

In a letter to education secretary Michael Gove, Dr Geoff Parks, director of admissions at Cambridge, said that overhauling the current system risks undoing "many of the gains in terms of fair admissions and widening participation".

He noted that without using AS-level marks to assess candidates, universities will need to rely on interviews, GCSE results and aptitude tests.

Dr Parks pointed out that grade predictions from colleges are "well known to be unreliable".

"AS provides an invaluable indicator of progress that can inform admissions decisions critically where so many of the gathered field are predicted top grades," he added.

Speaking last month, Mr Gove said modules and coursework could be phased out in favour of more rigorous exams at the end of a two-year study period.

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