Maths A-level truly has got easier, but not for 20 years

THE annual criticism on A-level results day that standards in maths have slipped is out of date, academics say.

While a B grade today is equivalent to an E in the 1960s, there was no evidence of decline over the past 20 years, researchers in mathematics at Loughborough University found.

To conduct the study, they reviewed 66 A-level scripts from the 1960s, 1990s and the current decade, evaluating pairs of papers to decide which included the hardest questions.

Having analysed the responses, they concluded that the main decline appeared to have taken place between 1968 and 1996.

Citing previous analysis of the decline, the report said that examiners “giving candidates the benefit of the doubt” and the pressure to “design predictable examinations that are easier to prepare for” could have, in part, led to the perceived decline. The study comes as wide-ranging reforms to exams in England are introduced, with the first new GCSEs and A-levels in subjects including English and maths brought in last autumn.

Ministers have previously said that changes to the system are needed to make the qualifications more rigorous.

A study published this month by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, looking at maths standards in 15-year-olds, also found that more than one in five teen- agers in the UK were classed as “low performers” in maths. Critics highlighted a lack of specialist maths teachers as a key contributor.

Lucy Powell, the shadow education secretary, said the OECD figures were “just not good enough”.

“Without a doubt this Government’s priority should be on driving up standards for all children, with a rigorous focus on improving the numeracy and literacy skills of our young people,” she said. However, despite suggestions that standards have been falling consistently, the Loughborough research found that the decline probably took place over the three decades leading up to the 1990s.

Dr Ian Jones, the study leader, said: “There has been ongoing concern that maths A-levels are getting easier. While our study does show a decline in standards between the 1960s and 1990s, there is no evidence to suggest there has been further decline in the last 20 years. Our study has overcome limita- tions of previous research in this area, making it the most robust of its kind. With debate continuing about the standard of maths exams it’s important the decision makers have the best evidence available to them.”

A Department for Education spokesman said: “We have introduced a new, more rigorous maths curriculum at GCSE and a gold standard A-level.

“The changes we have made will help to tackle the grade inflation of the past.”