GCSEs and A Levels in English, psychology and music have become too easy in the last few years, the Government's exams watchdog stated yesterday.
Questions which could be predicted, simple coursework and modular courses - in which students can sit single units again were held responsible.
The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority study urged for "continued vigilance" by examination boards "to maintain public confidence in qualifications".
It commented that OCR, one of the three key examination boards had dumbed down GCSE English by making it modular.
However OCR is quoted in the Mirror newspaper as saying:"You can still face a challenging exam no matter how many re-takes you sit."
In the meantime, the QCA revealed that 4,757 people had marks knock off, were disqualified or cautioned with regards to cheating in an exam. The offenders were found to be copying and some made use of mobile phones in an attempt to pass papers in 2006.