Today’s graduate jobseeker is scoring less in verbal and numerical skills despite rising A-level scores, according to research by SHL, an objective assessment company.

In spite of more young people gaining top grades, the average scores on tests designed to assess the ability of candidates to deal with basic verbal and numerical information has declined.

John Bateson, chief executive officer at SHL Group, said: “With more and more job applicants having virtually identical academic records, employers are finding it difficult to spot the real high achievers.”