So it's A-Level results day again. It's really interesting to read the views and opinions of teachers, past and present A-Level students and the general public on the claims exams are getting easier.

I totally agree with the fact that they are, both at A-Levels and University I was using just one or two past paper to practise exam revision because further into the past than that, the exams were noticable more taxing.

I've read many teachers saying they have seen exams get easier. But I think the main reason pass rates are going up is because students are being taught how to pass the exam rather than being taught their subject.

Exams these days are very predictable with questions being of the same form year on year. This means that students need only remember a small portion of their subjects and when in the examination room simply pour the small amount of knowledge onto the page. It's a simple test of short term memory these days, not a test of ability in the subject.

But whatever your opinions, it's impossible to argue against the fact that with pass rates continually increasing, we're not getting enough differentiation between the outstanding candidates, the good students and also poor work. Universities and employers can no longer use A-Level grades to pick out the stronger students.

Also, I would like to make A-Level students receiving their results today, remmber today, and after completing a University course look back on today. The stresses and hark work they put in won't seem anything like they do now after 3 years of real learning in their chosen subject at University.

For me, University put things into perspective, I know appreciate that GCSE and A-Level courses really didn't teach me all that much, they just taught me to get through the exams and grab a few certificates on the way.