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A Level grades explained

A Levels are an important qualification for many students, as they can impact university admissions and future career prospects.

That’s why it’s super helpful to know exactly how the grading system works. What do your grades mean? How are they worked out? And what’s the deal with UCAS points?

This guide will answer some common questions, including what grades are considered a pass, how many UCAS points an A Level is worth, and how A Level grades are calculated.

What grades are a pass at A Level?

A Levels are graded on a scale from A* to E, with A* being the highest grade and E being the lowest passing grade.

As long as you land anywhere between A* and E, you’ve technically passed.

However, it's important to note that most universities and courses require specific grades for admission, so it’s best to check with your desired university before applying.

How many UCAS points is an A Level worth?

Every A Level grade is worth a set number of UCAS points, which can be used by universities and colleges to assess a student’s eligibility for admission. 

Here's the number of UCAS points awarded for each grade:

  • A*: 56 points
  • A: 48 points
  • B: 40 points
  • C: 32 points
  • D: 24 points
  • E: 16 points

These points add up, so the more A Levels you take, and the better your grades, the higher your total UCAS score will be.

What are the A Level grade boundaries?

The grade boundaries for A Levels are set by exam boards each year and can vary depending on the difficulty of the exam.

These boundaries determine the minimum mark required to achieve each grade. For example, in June 2024, the AQA grade boundaries for the A Level Maths exam were as follows:

  • A*: 259/300
  • A: 222/300
  • B: 184/300
  • C: 147/300
  • D: 110/300
  • E: 73/300

These boundaries can change from year to year and are only released after the exam results have been published.

How are A Levels graded?

A Levels are graded through a combination of coursework and exams. The exact breakdown of coursework and exams will vary depending on the subject, but generally, A Level grades are determined by the student’s performance on the final exams.

The exams are marked by trained examiners and are graded on a scale from A* to E, with each grade corresponding to a certain range of marks.

How are A Level grades calculated?

A Level grades are calculated by taking into account the student’s performance on the final exams, as well as any coursework or practical assessments.

Each exam board will have it’s own system for calculating grades, but generally, grades are determined by assigning a certain percentage of marks to each grade. 

For example, a student who scores 90% or higher may receive an A*, while a student who scores between 70% and 79% may receive a B grade.

Online A Level courses

We offer a range of online A Level courses that are designed to help students achieve their full potential in their exams. The courses are taught by experienced and qualified tutors and are available in a variety of subjects. Here is the full list of courses we offer:

FAQs

When it comes to A Level grades, the entry requirements can vary depending on the course and the university you are applying to.

In general, universities typically require three A Levels, although some may accept two.

The grades required will also differ, but most universities will ask for ABB or above. However, some courses may require higher grades such as AAA, while others may accept lower grades such as BBB.

It’s important to note that the entry requirements can also be influenced by other factors, such as your personal statement, work experience, and extracurricular activities.

Therefore, it’s important to research the specific entry requirements for the course and university you are interested in.

To put it simply, 112 UCAS points in A Levels is equivalent to achieving BBC grades in three A Level subjects.

Each grade in an A Level is allocated a certain number of UCAS points. An A grade is worth 48 points, a B grade is worth 32 points, and a C grade is worth 16 points.

Therefore, achieving three B grades would give you a total of 96 UCAS points, and adding another C grade would give you a total of 112 UCAS points.

It happens, and it's not the end of the world. If you miss your offer, call your university immediately. They might still accept you. Otherwise, you might want to consider the clearing process.

Alternatively, consider resitting the exams you fell short in. Refer to our guide to see all the great alternative options available to you.

Yes, it’s called a review of marking. Your school or college can request a remark. If your grade changes, it could go up, down, or stay the same. So weigh it carefully. If something seems genuinely wrong like wildly inconsistent marking, definitely flag it.

Yep, different boards (AQA, Edexcel, OCR, etc.) have slightly different styles, content emphasis, and question formats. But they all follow the same national subject criteria. Universities don’t care which board you took. They just look at your grades.

Predicted grades are your teachers’ best estimate of what you'll achieve, and they can be used for university applications. Actual grades come from your final results. Sometimes they match. Sometimes they don’t. Teachers often give predictions based on classroom performance throughout the year.

A Level bundles

We also offer a range of online A Level combinations to help you work towards the degree and career you have in mind.