Exams in Britain have become rather a mess. Students are deluged with GCSEs, AS Levels and A Levels within the short space of three years.

There are constant arguments each year when results come through about whether exams are being downgraded by being made easier.

This is part of a wider educational morass which has led to more than 800 different qualifications being offered, enough to confuse any teachers, students or would be employers.

A report just issued suggests a shake up of the system, introducing a new four-part diploma similar to the International Baccalaureate. Current exams would not be abolished completely but would form part of it.

This might simplify matters and offer a standard which remained constant so people could measure themselves against it.

But it must be worked in carefully and gradually after a lot of consultation instead of suddenly being foisted on students, as the unloved AS Levels were.

The new system would be broader-based with fewer exams, more assessment and include recognition of voluntary work by students.

Far too much time is spent on testing students at the moment and this does no one any good.

The new system, based on a model which has worked well elsewhere, should be much better.