Exam passes rise - again (From Penarth Times)

Exam passes rise - again

PENARTH sixth form students are set to receive their GCE Advanced Subsidiary (AS level) and Advanced (A level) results today, and the figures show that the pass rates have increased again this year.

Results for Wales show that, compared with 2001, there was a rise of 3.9% in the pass rate (Grades A-E), for A-levels, taking it to 98.2%

The proportion of Grade A awards showed an increase of 2.6%, taking it to 25.2%. Females made up 55% of A-level entries and continued to perform better than males generally.

With the AS-level, there was a rise of 2.3% in the pass rate (Grades A-E), when compared against 2001, taking it to 92.7% for this year.

As at A-level, females performed better than males across all grades in general. Wyn Roberts, Chief Executive of WJEC said:

"The success of the new A-Level examination is due to the hard work and commitment of the candidates and their teachers.

"The challenge of establishing the new A-Level has certainly been met." Total WJEC entries for the GCE A level examination have risen by 15.6% from 26,918 in 2001 to 31,104 this year.

English Literature continues to have the largest entry, where as in comparison, the Mathematics entry was down by 9% compared with 2001,

Total WJEC entries for the GCE Advanced Subsidiary examination have risen by 24.6% from 33,010 in 2001 (the first year of the new examination) to 41,137.

These new qualifications are designed to offer students the opportunity for greater flexibility and breadth at post-16.

Students usually take four GCE AS subjects in Year 12 and then study three of these subjects to Advanced Level.

The AS and the A2 combined in a single subject constitute the new A-level. The A-level standard has been carried forward from the old A-level.