Exam boards have come under fire over plans to introduce new GCSEs which which pupils can pass without having to write.

Britain's first multiple choice-based science GCSEs are to become available later this year.

While multiple choice has long been a feature of science testing, the new qualifications, which are supplemented by coursework, are the first to completely ditch traditional written papers.

From September AQA is offering a science GCSE in which pupils will be able to score up to 75% purely on multiple choice papers - or "objective tests". A similar GCSE is to be offered by Edexcel.

Former Chief Inspector of Schools Prof Chris Woodhead described the move as "ludicrous" but added that he feared that other qualifications could follow suit.

"I think this is the future," he said.

"It is partly driven by the difficulty we have in getting examiners, people to mark the papers, because it is easier, and of course multiple choice papers can be computerised and I can understand the difficulties.

"But from an educational point of view then I think these are disastrous."

A spokeswoman for AQA emphasised that the coursework element, which accounts for 25% of marks, would still require writing.

"It does test extended writing," she said. "Candidates have to do investigative work."