HC Deb 28 October 2002 vol 391 cc565-6W
Mr. Andrew Turner

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for the Isle of Wight on 5 October 2002,Official Report, column 28, (a) whether there is an upper limit on the number of AS Levels which may be accrued by an individual, (b) how much marginally easier an AS Level may be than the old A Level standard, (c) whether it is his policy that the current A Level is of equivalent standard to the old A Level standard, (d) whether UCAS points may be aggregated such that two AS Levels are equivalent to one A Level and (e) whether a pupil will, by obtaining six AS Levels at grade C, achieve the equivalent of three A Levels at grade C. [76538]

Mr. Miliband

:[holding answer 22 October 2002]In reply:

  1. (a)No.
  2. (b)That is a matter for the QCA.
  3. (c)Yes.
  4. (d)Yes.
  5. (e) No. AS and A Levels are different qualifications. A greater depth of understanding of the subject is required for the full A level.