The UK A-levels examination results were released today; the best results in 60 years. 97.5 percent passed the examination while 26.7 percent were awarded an A grade.
For many candidates, indeed, it is a day of joy for the hard work they have put in to achieve this result. However, as a consequence of this grade inflation, many of them will eventually realise that the admission for university will be much more difficult. As a matter of fact, element of luck will play a greater role than their results, as university admissions will have difficulty distinguishing between the top students.
In response to the grade inflation, the Head of Exam Board has indicated that the Board is considering to include the student's percentage pass marks along with the grades, as a way to differentiate between the top students. Furthermore, there has also been suggestion to review the syllabus and make the examination more difficult.
In reflection to Malaysia, the SPM examination has also inflated greatly in terms of grading. I recalled that back in 1999 before the implementation of the "open paper", three of my schoolmates scored 10 A's with one of them scoring 10 A1's, made it to the front page of the national newspaper. Since implementing the "open paper" system in 2001, 10 A's is considered mediocre and students are striving for more than 20 A's in SPM examination.
The new Minister of Education recently announced introducing a "cap" to only 10 subjects for SPM. Indeed, a sensible initiative to reduce the inflating pressure on grade. However disappointingly, no further initiatives being considered.
In my frank view, besides limiting the number of subjects, there is also a need to:
1) review the syllabus for all the subjects;
2) consider the possibility of reducing the compulsory subjects; and more importantly
3) review the teaching and evaluation of subjects under the SPM examination.
These initiatives are much more important. Placing a "cap" will only reduce the inflationary pressure on the grades, but has no significant effect to enhance the value of examination as an evaluative tool in education.
This post is also available in The Malaysian Education Debate
