We need this change say Alex and Imran

Alex Walsh says she found A-levels too easy and supports the need to make them tougher.

That was despite the geography student at University College London taking three of the "harder" subjects, chemistry, biology and geography. She said: "If you know what they are looking for, that's all you need to give them. As long as you've learned it, you don't really need to be clever."

Ms Walsh, 22, who went to the private Redland High School in Bristol, said there was a huge gulf between A-levels and the standard expected at university. She said: "Having done easy courses, it's a shock when you arrive."

In contrast, Imran Mohammed, 17, from Manor Park, did not do well enough at GCSEs to take A-levels. He is studying at Newham College for the Access Diploma, known as the NewCAD, developed as an alternative to GCSEs and A-levels.

His main subject is information technology but he also has to study English and maths. He hopes it will enable him to get a place at university. He said: "It starts off easy and as people progress, so does the course. That helps them to learn."