Average A-level results 'improved by two grades'

A-level exam marks have improved by two grades in the major subjects since the 1980s, a leading university has found.

As the average A-level grade has risen year on year, students who now take the exam are likely to score two grades higher than those who took the exam 20 years ago, researchers claimed.

Conducted for the Institute of Directors by scholars from Durham University, the study used data spanning from the late 80s to last year.

Maths saw the biggest increase in marks, as the average U-grade student in 1988 would now be likely to gain a B in 2007.

Robert Coe, one of the researchers involved, said: 'It was quite a surprise to see it so clearly. The scale of difference is so big. Some robust mechanism will be out in place to stop the increase each year.'

The Confederation of British Industry recently called for financial assistance for 14-year-olds taking the three science exams to work towards closing the skills gap in the technology sector.