A-level choices

sir – You ask (Leading article, August 14) why the choice has to be made by A-level students between Stem subjects – science, technology, engineering and maths – and the humanities.

Perhaps we should consider moving further towards the International Baccalaureate (IB).

Maths and English, along with a second language, must be studied as well as three other subjects, which can be drawn either from the sciences or the humanities. Having seen the rigorousness of the IB firsthand (my daughter has just studied for it) I am convinced of its benefits, despite the increased workload.

My daughter starts her degree in medicine next month, but does so with a solid foundation in English as well as the sciences the course requires. Graeme Snell

Ightham, Kent

sir – It is concerning that A-level students have only to answer one quarter of their exam questions correctly to achieve a D grade, and that some universities are accepting students with three D grades onto their courses.

It cannot be fair on these students if they are subsequently going to struggle with their university work, drop out, and yet still incur student debt. Paul Gallagher

Devizes, Wiltshire