Daily Express

But it is top marks in schools across EU

- By Paul Jeeves

STUDENTS across Europe have fared better than their British counterpar­ts under a series of methods that have led to improved grades.

In France the end-of-year exam known as the Bac, equivalent to A-levels, was cancelled. Marks were calculated using tests and coursework during the past academic year and these were adjusted by the past performanc­e of schools. The pass rate of more than 95 per cent was more than seven points above the 2019 results.

Germany forged ahead with its Abitur exams. Although schools had been closed pupils sat tests 1½ metres apart. Higher grades were attributed to extra study time in lockdown. In Holland pupils also sat tests 1½ metres apart. Marks based on these exams and on coursework saw a third of all final-year pupils graduate – up to five times the previous three-year average for some schools.

In Spain, candidates chose three out of a selection of five questions to answer. In some areas pupils were urged to use hand sanitiser and wear a mask during the test. The pass rate was within one percentage point of 2019’s.

In Italy around 500,000 students took only the oral part of their high-school diploma and had to wear masks while doing so. Marks were higher than previously.

Sweden postponed exams, hoping to hold them this autumn. But those plans now look set to be scrapped due to the ongoing pandemic.

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