Does anyone know where I can find old French or German A-level papers
on the internet? You hear a lot said these days about how the current
A-level exams are much easier than those created pre 1990. Having just
sat examinations in French and German, I would be very interested to
see an example of an old paper so as to truely be able to compare
them. However I am having immense difficultly finding anything. Any
links to free image scans of whole or partial papers, or links to
websites selling paper versions would be appreciated.

Of course, the strictness of the marking is also a factor.

For whatever reason (maybe just to portray 'progress') I get the
impression that the standards were higher then than now.

I get the impression that the results have always been driven by the
numbers that have been pre-determined by 'the authorities'.

I'll check with a pal of mine (an ex-teacher) and if he has any
opinions on getting back papers, I'll let you know.

Bryan

I've spoken to my pal who doesn't know of any source for old papers.

However, he did say that some tests have been done 'recently'
(possibly this year) by getting a batch of today's pupils to take the
old papers. Perhaps a Google Search for these tests (which were
reported in the press) might be helpful?

Apparently, the kids failed miserably on maths because, having been
brought up to use computers, they were unable to do mental arithmetic.

The last comment to this question could be of interest to you:
http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=448498

Also no answer to your specific question, but perhaps of interest,
there is no question in Germany that the standards required for the
"Abitur" (upper school examinations to qualify for university study)
have declined over the last decades.   Employers now complain that
beginning apprentices often do not have adequate language and maths
skills, ditto for freshmen in university.
But this is  - must be -  the case, since in the 1960s only 5% took
(or passed) the Abitur, but today the figure is over 30%; the
standards have had to be loosened to allow so many more to qualify.

Thanks to your both for looking - the channel4 micro-site about the
old 11+ exam is most interesting (I assume, probonopublico, that is is
the same experiment your friend was talking about).

I think we can be pretty certain that standards have slipped - the
question is probably more to do with how much. The politicians would
say that higher pass rates are all due to higher standards of teaching
in schools, not easier papers, but even I find that hard to believe.

Nick

I hadn't seen the Channel 4 stuff previously but YES this is the stuff
that my pal referred to.

Bryan