A-level roundabout

SIR – If the academic standards of A-levels were raised to bring them back up to those of the A-levels of 50 years ago, but now A grades are being awarded in some subjects for a mark of 55 per cent, what has been achieved? Gareth Evans

Chippenham, Wiltshire

SIR – Barely half marks are needed for some top A-level grades. When I passed my O-level maths, the pass mark was 64 per cent. The following year it was 42 per cent.

This indicated that the difficulty of the papers varied. If the same percentage of students passed the exam, the brightest would invariably achieve the grade required.

The pass mark should vary, not the number of students who pass. Patrick Wroe

Felixstowe, Suffolk

SIR – You highlight (report, August 16) some A-level marks required for an A grade. I’d like to know the pass marks, or has the idea of failure been removed from the examination process today? GP Brown

Norwich

SIR – Am I alone in wondering why we must endure the annual pantomime surrounding A-level results and university applications?

While they are clearly important to the individuals concerned, they are of no interest whatsoever to the rest of the country. Jeremy Parr

Suckley, Worcestershire

SIR – Do spotty, overweight adolescent boys still do A-levels? Karen D Venables

Cheadle, Cheshire