Old UK A-level examination papers Best answer on the web

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  • Does anyone know where I can find old French or German A-level papers
    on the internet? You hear a lot said these days about how the current
    A-level exams are much easier than those created pre 1990. Having just
    sat examinations in French and German, I would be very interested to
    see an example of an old paper so as to truely be able to compare
    them. However I am having immense difficultly finding anything. Any
    links to free image scans of whole or partial papers, or links to
    websites selling paper versions would be appreciated.


  • Thanks to your both for looking - the channel4 micro-site about the old 11+ exam is most interesting (I assume, probonopublico, that is is the same experiment your friend was talking about).
    I think we can be pretty certain that standards have slipped - the question is probably more to do with how much. The politicians would say that higher pass rates are all due to higher standards of teaching in schools, not easier papers, but even I find that hard to believe.


  • Of course, the strictness of the marking is also a factor.

    For whatever reason (maybe just to portray 'progress') I get the impression that the standards were higher then than now.
    I get the impression that the results have always been driven by the numbers that have been pre-determined by 'the authorities'.
    I'll check with a pal of mine (an ex-teacher) and if he has any opinions on getting back papers, I'll let you know.
    Bryan


  • The last comment to this question could be of interest to you:
    http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=448498

    Also no answer to your specific question, but perhaps of interest, there is no question in Germany that the standards required for the "Abitur" (upper school examinations to qualify for university study) have declined over the last decades. Employers now complain that beginning apprentices often do not have adequate language and maths skills, ditto for freshmen in university. But this is - must be - the case, since in the 1960s only 5% took (or passed) the Abitur, but today the figure is over 30%; the standards have had to be loosened to allow so many more to qualify.


  • I've spoken to my pal who doesn't know of any source for old papers.

    However, he did say that some tests have been done 'recently' (possibly this year) by getting a batch of today's pupils to take the old papers. Perhaps a Google Search for these tests (which were reported in the press) might be helpful?
    Apparently, the kids failed miserably on maths because, having been brought up to use computers, they were unable to do mental arithmetic.


  • Nick

    I hadn't seen the Channel 4 stuff previously but YES this is the stuff that my pal referred to.
    Bryan









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