A-level pupils set new record in U.K.

Sixth-form pupils in Britain have set a new record for top grades at A-level and the pass rate has risen for a 26th consecutive year, the examinations body said on Thursday.
The number of "A" grades climbed 0.6 percentage points to 25.9%, while the pass rate edged up to 97.2 from 96.9%, according to the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ).
"The results show not only an improvement in the grades achieved but also an increased entry for mathematics, sciences and languages," said JCQ Director Dr Jim Sinclair.
The rise in the pass rate is likely to reignite the annual debate over whether the "gold standard" exam is getting easier.
Some universities say it is hard to select the best candidates when so many students earn top grades.
Higher Education Minister Bill Rammell denied suggestions the exam has been dumbed down to boost pass rates.
"Anybody who articulates that A-levels are worthless is flying in the face of reality," he said in an interview with the Independent on Thursday. "It is still an internationally reputable qualification."
Earlier this year, one of Britain's top universities, Imperial College London, said it was considering setting up its own entry exams — rather than relying on national tests.
The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) backed plans for pupils to also be allowed to do an "extended project" worth half as much as a normal A level. It could be a university-style dissertation or research work.
Also, a new diploma will be introduced in September.
The JCQ published regional results for the first time, which showed a marked difference in improvements in A-grade pass rates achieved around England.
The Northeast showed the poorest improvement, 2.1%, between 2002 and 2008, as well as the lowest total rate, 19.8%.
The Southeast had the highest improvement rate, 6.1%, taking it to 29.1%.
Here are some of the key points from the 2008 results for England, Wales and Northern Ireland:
* A record 827,737 A-level grades were issued.
* Girls continue to outperform boys, although the gap is narrowing.
* The most popular subjects were English (89,778 candidates), mathematics (65,239) and biology (56,494).
* The number of chemistry, biology and physics candidates rose by between 2 and 3%.
* Entries were up for French, 2.8%, and Spanish, 1.5%, but down for German, 0.9%.  (Reuters)