A survey by university admissions body UCAS found that 74 per cent of secondary schools will be keeping the AS level exam in at least some subjects where it no longer counts towards the final A level mark. This is up from 66 per cent in a similar survey conducted in 2014.
Furthermore, 59 per cent of the more than 300 schools polled – a mix of state and independent schools – said they would keep the AS level in every subject where it has been decoupled.
The UCAS research states: “Schools who responded explained they were keen to offer their students a broad curriculum, despite the AS not counting toward the final A level mark as in the past.”
However, the proportion not offering the AS level has also increased to 21 per cent (from 16 per cent in the 2014 poll). Of these, it is independent schools that are most likely to have moved to a linear A level curriculum.
Between 2015 and 2017, all AS level subjects are being gradually decoupled from the A level in England, making them standalone qualifications.
This means that by September 2018, students from England will be making university applications holding only reformed A levels. A levels from Northern Ireland and Wales are remaining in the AS/A2 format.
It has proved a controversial reform, with critics raising concerns that the move would lead to a huge variation in AS level provision across the country. The University of Cambridge has also attacked the policy, saying that AS levels offered a “strong measure” of how well students are likely to perform at A level.
Despite the continued support for the AS level, the UCAS survey found that 64 per cent of the schools would be reviewing their curriculum and qualifications offer when all the new A levels are available in all subjects.
Mary Curnock Cook, UCAS chief executive, said: “A clearer picture is emerging with many schools and colleges planning to retain the diversity of the curriculum on offer. Many keeping the AS said it provided a useful measure of progress, and supported the prediction of A level grades for university applications.”
Elsewhere, Ms Curnock Cook welcomed the fact that more than 40 universities have now published statements via UCAS confirming how they will be handling admissions in light of the changing qualifications landscape.
She added: “Students will be applying to higher education holding a greater diversity of qualifications and I am pleased to see more and more universities publishing clear statements about the how they intend using the new AS when making admissions decisions.”
To view these statements and for other resources from UCAS, visit www.ucas.com/advisers/guides-and-resources/qualification-reform