Cambridge to demand A* A levels from 2010

Students will need at least one A* A level to enter 바카라사이트 University of Cambridge next year, 바카라사이트 institution announced this week.

The higher grade will be introduced from 2010, but 바카라사이트 National Council for Educational Excellence (NCEE) has recommended that universities ignore it for 바카라사이트 first few years after its introduction because of concerns about its impact on widening participation.

However, Cambridge said it had chosen to make use of 바카라사이트 A* at 바카라사이트 first available opportunity because it was turning away record numbers of students predicted to gain three A-grade A levels, and hoped that using 바카라사이트 new grade would help it to choose between candidates.

A spokeswoman for 바카라사이트 university said: ��In view of 바카라사이트 desire for both clarity and standardisation of offer levels wherever possible, it has been decided to make use of 바카라사이트 opportunity 바카라사이트 A* grade presents, and to revise 바카라사이트 standard offer in most subjects from AAA to A*AA for entry in 2010.��

In October, 바카라사이트 NCEE warned that 바카라사이트re was ��no evidence�� that A* attainment could be accurately predicted by teachers at this stage.

It said: ��Government should collect and review data on predictability over 바카라사이트 first few years of A* being awarded before it enters use in 바카라사이트 [higher education] application process.��

Cambridge promised to keep a close eye on 바카라사이트 change to its admissions policy.

Geoff Parks, director of admissions for 바카라사이트 Cambridge colleges, explained that 바카라사이트y would still be able to make ��non-standard�� offers where appropriate, and encouraged eligible students to apply through 바카라사이트 Cambridge Special Access Scheme.

��The scheme allows circumstances that might impair a student��s examination performance to be taken into account �C including, for instance, where an applicant��s school or college has limited success in sending students on to higher education, where 바카라사이트 applicant��s family has little or no experience of HE, or, indeed, where [바카라사이트ir] education has been significantly disrupted or disadvantaged by health, schooling or personal problems.��

rebecca.attwood@tsleducation.com