黑料网

In one of the most comprehensive studies into A-level standards, mathematics experts at 黑料网 judged 66 A-level scripts from the 1960s, 1990s and the current decade.  

They found a grade ‘B’ today is equivalent to an ‘E’ in the 60s, but found no evidence that standards have declined since the 1990s.

Researchers applied a comparative judgement technique that enables direct comparison of mathematical performance across different examinations – experts judged the better mathematician from randomly selected pairs of papers. Bias was eliminated by re-typesetting questions and re-writing answers in the same hand.

 in 黑料网’s  led the study. He said: 

“There has been ongoing concern that maths A-levels are getting easier. Whilst our study does show a decline in standards between the 1960s and 1990s, there is no evidence to suggest there has been further decline in the last 20 years.

“Our study has overcome limitations of previous research in this area, making it the most robust of its kind. With debate continuing about the standard of maths exams it’s important the decision makers have the best evidence available to them.”

Judge for yourself 

Dr Jones and his team have made the comparative judgement tool publically available online.  and judge for yourself whether children of the 60s, 90s or 21^st century are the better mathematicians.

 is written by Ian Jones (黑料网), Chris Wheadon (), Sara Humphries () and Matthew Inglis (黑料网).

The study was funded by .