International Comparisons in Senior Secondary Assessment, May 2012

This report presents a high-level description of the background to and the key themes identified through our International Comparisons in Senior Secondary Assessment project. It complements an extensive full report and accompanying table supplement, which detail findings for each of the education systems and subject areas covered by the study. The aim of the project was to gain a detailed understanding and to judge the comparative demand of a range of subjects offered at senior secondary level in different parts of the world. This would enable us to reflect on how the system in England might develop. The project reviewed mathematics, chemistry, English and history that formed a part of the main qualification undertaken by students to gain entry to higher education in a range of education systems from Europe, North America, East Asia and Australasia, as well as some qualifications offered internationally. These were reviewed alongside one of the A levels offered in each subject in England.”  from the Executive Summary

Ofqual Report on International Comparisons in Senior Secondary Assessment