The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) has this week decided that both the highest and second highest grades in the Pre-U exam will count for more than an A grade at A-level. This has led to many commenting that bright teenagers will be likely to study the Pre-U qualifications, especially as competition for places at leading universities intensifies. 

The exam is run by Cambridge University and was launched this September. Focusing solely around final exams, it stops students repetitively retaking modules and reworking coursework to gain higher marks.

A-levels have regularly been accused of not being able to identify the brightest students and the Pre-U is set to change this as Kevin Stannard, director of University of Cambridge International Examinations, said "We are trying to challenge the most able and reward excellence, but it is not our intention to undermine other qualifications."

There are already 15 state schools and 35 fee paying schools who offer the Pre-U, and it is possible that it could lead to a split in sixth form education, with the top students studying the Pre-U whilst others remain studying for A-levels.