What was the exam before 1988?

Before 1988, there wasn't one single exam that replaced the current system. The question is too broad without specifying *which* exam you're asking about. The exam system varied greatly depending on:

* Country: Exam systems are different in every country.

* Level of education: Are you asking about primary school exams, secondary school exams (like GCSEs/SATs/high school diplomas), university entrance exams, professional licensing exams, etc.?

* Specific subject: Even within a level of education, exams varied by subject.

To answer your question, you need to be much more specific. For example, you could ask:

* "What was the UK equivalent of the GCSE before 1988?"

* "What was the US college entrance exam before the SAT in 1988?"

* "What was the medical licensing exam in France before 1988?"

Without more context, it's impossible to give a meaningful answer.