**** The first edition (1984) was cited in Sheehy. This unique reference, published in association with The British Council, presents a factual and comprehensive survey of the education systems of 150 countries covering academic, vocational, and technical qualifications as well as related curricula and marking systems. Each country entry includes a brief introduction; a survey of the structure of education, level by level; a description of the marking systems used at secondary and tertiary levels; and an evaluative guide which, taking the British system as the norm, outlines the recognition generally accorded to key qualifications by British institutions. The country chapters are arranged alphabetically with the exception of the UK which now comes first, emphasizing its function as the reference for comparison. The country entries are followed by appendices on examining bodies and international organizations. The present edition (2nd in 1987) has been thoroughly revised and updated. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.