·
There would appear to be a serious issue regarding the number of A*
awarded in Modern Language subjects especially French.
·
Because of the intake profile with more higher-attaining
students (like other subjects such as Maths and Physics), French has had a
higher percentage of students gaining grade A at A-level (e.g. 38.6% of
entries in 2009 – German 40%, Maths 45%, Physics 32% etc
compared with 26.7% for all subjects)
·
One would therefore expect to have a higher percentage of A*
students in such subjects, and perhaps also that the ratio of A* to A*+A
students would be similar across a range of subjects
·
But this is not the case for French which has 39.1% of
students with A or A*, but only 7.7% with A*
- this gives a very low ratio of 20% of A* to A+A*.
·
The front page of TES on 13th August had the headline
“Exam boards massage A* A-level marks, Ofqual admits”
