A study of general student performance in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland undertaken in 1975 is described, and efforts toward developing a new system of school-leaving examinations are discussed. The study was designed to assess existing student evaluation instruments, create new evaluation techniques and instruments, promote cooperation between local education authorities and schools, and identify circumstances related to differential student achievement. The results of reading and writing tests and changes in the educational and testing system are explored, especially those occurring in the population being tested since the tests' inception. The resulting recommendations include simplification of the examination system as quickly as possible, without altering the existing standards and targeted ability range, and reduction of the number of regional authorities responsible for syllabuses and examinations. Specific changes were recommended for French and English testing. (MSE)