What is the betting that there will be a higher number of A grade passes
The problem with the modern GCSEs and A levels is that the pass mark is set at a fixed level as are the marks required for specific grades. (See figure 1)
When I did O levels we were told that the pass mark was moveable, depending on the median average of the mark spread, giving a spread where the pass mark may be higher than the standard 50% (See figure 2).
The marks required for the other grades were given using specific standard deviations
The only way to restore confidence in these bits of paper would be to return to such a system. However in these days of league tables it does not seem likely and the value of these qualification will continue to fall in the eyes of the universityies and employers.
