HC Deb 12 June 1990 vol 174 c169W
18. Mrs. Maureen Hicks

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what assessment has been made of the success of AS-levels.

Mrs. Rumbold

There were 37,000 AS examination entries in summer 1989, the first year of the new examination. A total of 61 per cent. gained grades A to E. The School Examinations and Assessment Council has been asked to provide guidance to schools on A/AS combinations and to lay down principles governing A/AS syllabuses. Both measures should help to raise achievement in AS examinations.