External beats internal

It's also the case that research by the European academic Ludger Woessman and the US based John Bishop demonstrates that what they term externally set, exit examinations are one of the characteristics of stronger performing, more successful education systems.

In addition to being credible, reliable and more equitable than school-based assessment and moderation, external set and marked examinations provide a powerful incentive for schools and students to try and outdo one another.

The competitive nature of such exams, and the fact that they are often seen as prestigious and reputable, mean that they are taken seriously as a school's reputation can rise or fall on the results achieved.

No wonder Margaret Thatcher when Prime Minister referred to the English A-Levels as the 'gold standard' in assessment. Such examinations, in addition to being externally set and marked, have the additional benefit of being academically rigorous and a sound preparation for university education.