Hard Working A level Students

Many parents, teachers and students feel A level students are working harder today than ever before, according to a MORI Social Research Institute survey. The survey, commissioned by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, shows that four in five (81%) parents, three in four (73%) teachers and seven in ten (70%) of the general public think A level students work hard. Furthermore, around half of parents (48%), teachers (49%) and students (50%) think A level students work harder today than ever before.

Teachers are also perceived to be working hard. The MORI survey shows four in five parents (80%) and students (82%) believe most teachers work very hard at making sure students are as well prepared as possible for their A level exams. In turn, the survey shows that more than four in five (82%) teachers think most A level students get the grade their performance deserves.

The research shows A levels are still considered crucial for finding employment: three in four (75%) students and almost three in five (58%) people in Britain think people with A levels have a greater chance of getting a good job.

Technical details

Fieldwork for the general public research was conducted face-to-face, in home, on MORI's fortnightly Omnibus survey with a total of 1,714 respondents aged 15+. Fieldwork was conducted using CAPI (Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing) and took place between the 20-25 February. The data have been weighted to match the known population profile. A further 160 interviews with parents and students were conducted between 6-12 March 2003. Results among these two groups are reported here unweighted.

Telephone interviews were conducted with a total of 500 teachers in schools and colleges across England. The interviews were carried out by MORI Telephone Surveys (MTS) using CATI (Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing). Fieldwork for the study was carried out between the 3-14 March 2003.