'Gutless' maths A-level criticised

Ministers have "torn the guts out" of maths A-level with reforms that made the subject easier and sent A-grades soaring to record levels, academics claimed tonight.

National results showed that nearly a quarter - 24.1% - of grades awarded for all A-level subjects this year were As.

And officials said this year's dramatic 1.3 percentage point rise in As was partly fuelled by changes to A-level maths to make the subject "more flexible and manageable".

Once regarded as the hardest of all A-levels, maths saw the proportion of A-grades handed out rise from 40.7% in 2005 to 43.5% this year.

Dr Tony Gardiner, an academic specialising in maths education at Birmingham University, said the rise in A-grades was clear evidence that the exam was now easier than ever.

He condemned the Government and its exam officials for introducing the reforms.

"They have torn the guts out of A-level maths by essentially removing a module," said Dr Gardiner, who speaks for the UK Mathematics Foundation.

"That clearly makes it easier (to get a grade-A).

"But a grade-A doesn't tell you anything at all - that's one of the problems."

Exams watchdog the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, which introduced the reforms two years ago, said maths was not "easier" now but "more flexible and manageable".