Traditionalists fear the exam's value may be undermined

The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, which monitors exams, is looking to simplify the system which enables students to retake modules from courses, enabling them to improve grades.

But head teachers said the plans were flawed, while education traditionalists said they could produce a near-100% pass rate.

In his report on what went wrong with A-levels last year, former chief inspector of schools Mike Tomlinson said the complex way AS and A2 grades were aggregated to make up the final A-level result had caused confusion.

'Too many resits'

A full A-level consists of three AS and three A2 modules and students are only supposed to get one resit per module.

Allowing an unlimited number of resits would simplify the system, according to the proposals.

A QCA spokesman said: "We are considering this and it is under review but until advice goes off to ministers we will not be making a comment."

John Dunford, general secretary of the Secondary Heads Association, said: "There are already far too many students doing resits.

"This contributes to an already over-examined culture, particularly between 16 and 18.

'Silly'

"We have examples of people doing resits even though they have already got grade A.

"A system which encourages that is silly. It wouldn't be wise to lift the cap.

"They do it in order to get better grade As to bring up their overall mark."

Nick Seaton, chairman of the Campaign for Real Education, said: "I think most parents and employers will think it is completely wrong.

"It will mean that virtually all the youngsters who take the exams will end up with passes.