h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

A problem with the AS system is the amount of stress put on the student. Under the old system, you had five terms teaching, half a term or so revising and then your exams. Under the new system, you have two seperate years each consisting of two terms teaching (assuming no January exams), half a term revision and your exams. However, the total course content has not been reduced, making both years very frantic and very stressful.
You don't have time to grow up in the lower sixth anymore. You have usually to pass A-level standard, or near enough, exams after one term at college, requiring you to have the maturity and study skills previously aquired over two years. No wonder people fail. And I mean fail, too - one boy I know got a sum total of 3 marks in a January module.
As for breadth, rubbish. People take subjects they enjoy. If you enjoy science and maths, you'll take another science or maths subject. You won't take English or humanities, because you probably find them boring or difficult.