Using the same logic used by this idiotic Government, I am now searching for a new amplifier for my stereo. My old one has a volume switch from 1 to 10. I want a louder one that goes from 1 to 11..

...apologies to Spinal Tap..

Mark, Birmingham, UK

If A-level grades continue to rise after the introduction of the A* will the lower grades E, D, C, eventually become a thing of the past with B being considered a below average grade and most students receiving grades A, A*, A**, A***. Wait if I understood your story correctly many universities already consider a B grade reason for rejection.

Michele, New York, NY

On Thursday my results slip read A A A A and I am going on to read law in September. This year, I managed 100% in all 3 modules in law. Newspapers on Thursday were concerned with excuses rather than praise. What these articles need to do is congratulate students, make them feel that they have achieved, encourage them.

I have spent the past 2 years with my nose in the books to achieve these results and it's a shame that people have to criticise them.

Tom, Caerphilly,

To suggest that the modular system of exams, which is common in many A -Levels today, is just as challenging as a linear one, where you get one shot at the end to sit two papers for each subject is nonsense. I congratulate all the students who have passed but is achieving 3 As really going to stand out when such a high proportion of other candidates do well? The fact is, 3 As would have been an exceptional set of grades 50 years ago and now it isn't. For admissions tutors and job interviewers this surely just muddies the waters.

Rob, Bristol,

The main issue is not whether or not the A level exams are easier now than 25 years ago.

The old A level was predominately exam based and the results were norm-reference graded, e.g., only 10% would ever attain an A grade. Whilst, the new A level is modular based with students being able to attain the majority of their marks before the final exam. Thus knowing that you already had 70% of the marks before the final exam would mean you already have an A grade without sitting the final exam, so students and teachers can control the final grade through coursework. This has led to 25% of students being able to attain an A grade. We are not comparing like-for-like as the exams are differently structured, assessed and graded.

The argument for the new A level was that the structure was more realistic of working life conditions. The main issue is that the new A level is not working. We cannot differentiate students abilities and they are not being equipped effectively for life.

Q, London, UK

I don't think it is necessary to introduce a new A* grade, when Advanced Extension Awards can be sat by students who are exceptional at a particular subject. They are graded with merit, distinction or failure and therefore clearly demonstrate those who have got to grip with the subject; they do not require any particular knowledge but are about one's level of understanding.

Francesca Bonner-Evans, Stratford-upon-Avon,

Both Paul from Leeds and C Rance have hit the nail on the head. A B & C used to mean exactly that. Today read A=C A*=B A**=A. It is time they stopped messing around with this 'star' stuff and gave good honest and staightforward grades. Time for re-evaluation and consistent exam setting standards by the exam boards don't you think?

CB, Essex,

The main issue is not whether or not the A level exams are easier now than 25 years ago.

The old A level was predominately exam based and the results were norm-reference graded, e.g., only 10% would ever attain an A grade. Whilst, the new A level is modular based with students being able to attain the majority of their marks before the final exam. Thus knowing that you already had 70% of the marks before the final exam would mean you already have an A grade without sitting the final exam, so students and teachers can control the final grade through coursework. This has led to 25% of students being able to attain an A grade. We are not comparing like-for-like as the exams are differently structured, assessed and graded.

The argument for the new A level was that the structure was more realistic of working life conditions. The main issue is that the new A level is not working. We cannot differentiate students abilities and they are not being equipped effectively for life.

Q, London, UK

And than A******++ and with a crown on the top

How stupid is that?
A-F system is simple and clear, if you need additional grades add G and H.

Michal, London,

No one is getting cleverer. The education system no longer educates, it just teaches kids how to pass exams so that the results look good. Trouble is it looks too good now and has blown it's cover.

Bob Reeve, Brighton,

I would not categorically say that A-Levels are getting easier; I think the key point is that people are learning how to pass them, without necessarily learning the subject to a greater extent. A similar analogy would be literacy; reading and writing have not gotten easier, there are just more mechanisms in place to get more people up to a certain standard.

Karl Chads, London, UK, UK

There is a simple solution. Award 'A' grades only to the top 10% of candidates in any one year, 'B' to the next 15%, 'C' to the next 25% and so on That would allow universities (and employers) to identify the best candidates in any year.

C Rance , Reading , berkshire

Can someone confirm my suspicions, didn't the grades for exams used to be normalised? For example, only the top 10% used to get an A grade, the next 15% received a B etc etc, so if an exam was easier one year, and the average mark was high, it didn't matter, as only the best 10% would get an A anyway. This did allow universities to see who was best at exams.

Paul, LEEDS,

Is it true A levels were harder 25 years ago?

I attended a grammar school that selected the top 10% of pupils via 11 plus exams and primary school head teacher recommendations. It had a teaching staff that was 75% plus from Oxford and Cambridge. Homework was at least 2 to 3 hours every night. As a school we sat internal exams in every subject, every term, and were given public class and year positions in every subject. The school's A level results were Top 10 in the country among state schools.

OUR A LEVEL GRADES WERE WORST THAN AN AVERAGE SCHOOL IN 2007.

It is laughable to suggest that an average teacher can take an average student and get better results than our best teachers could achieve with our most intelligent pupils 25 years ago. The exam is easier.

No disrespect to today's students - you can only sit the exam put in front of you. Well done on your results.

Richard Turner, London,

Well I got my 3 A's to get into Imperial so I am really chuffed!

Mike, London,