The standard was raised six times during the Clinton administration, the last of which raised the tier-three requirement to 85, 000 MTOPS, about the level of a networked system with 32 Intel Pentium III chips.

CNN: Turning the U.S. into a super-computer power

Over a distinguished career that spans three decades, Judge Sotomayor has worked at almost every level of our judicial system, providing her with a depth of experience and a breadth of perspective that will be invaluable as a Supreme Court justice.

CNN: Transcript of Obama-Sotomayor announcement

"Over a distinguished career that spans three decades, Judge Sotomayor has worked at almost every level of our judicial system, providing her with a depth of experience and a breadth of perspective that will be invaluable as a Supreme Court justice, " Obama said.

NPR: Obama To Nominate Sotomayor To High Court

A-level system, which restricts students over the age of 16 to studying just three or four subjects of their choice.

ECONOMIST: The gold standard loses its gleam