Table of Contents
TLDR
Understanding how A level grades work can make A level results day less stressful. In this blog, NEC’s Exams and Assessment Manager explains how A level grade boundaries, raw marks, and UCAS Tariff points work. What grades you need to pass an A level, and what to do if your A level results aren’t what you expected – including options for UCAS Clearing and retaking an A level.
Understanding the A level grading system is key for anyone applying to university or planning the next steps after school. I’m Louise, Exams and Assessment Manager at the National Extension College (NEC), and in this blog post, I’ll explain:
- how A level grades are calculated
- how A level grade boundaries work
- how UCAS Tariff points are awarded
- what you can do if you don’t get the A level grades you were hoping for.
How A level Grades Work
A levels are widely considered the gold standard for university admission in the UK and abroad. But between linear specifications, raw marks, and UCAS Tariff points, the A level grading system can seem incredibly complex.
Let’s strip back the jargon to understand how your A level and AS level papers are assessed – and what your grades mean for your future university applications.
What Grade Do You Need to Pass an A level?
Before we look at how A level grades work, let’s look at what grade you need to pass an A level.
Unlike GCSES, A levels and AS levels still use the traditional letter-based grading scale:
- Grades A* to E constitute a pass for full A levels
- Grades A to E constitute a pass for AS levels (there is no A* grade at AS level).
All of these grades are considered passes at A level / AS level and will earn you UCAS points.
How A level Grade Boundaries and Raw Marks Work
The process of determining your grade is heavily reliant on post-exam statistical analysis.
A level Linear Assessment
Most A levels are linear – meaning you sit all your exam papers at the end of the course. Your final A level grade is calculated by combining the raw marks of all the individual papers.
The A level Grade Boundary Shift
A level grade boundaries shift every exam series based on the overall difficulty of the papers. If the exam is universally tough, the grade boundaries are lowered. This ensures that the percentage of students achieving an A level Grade A or B remains fair and consistent with previous years.
Watch this short video by OFQUAL explaining how A level grading works.
Find out more about Grade Boundaries.
How A level Grades Convert into UCAS Tariff Points
When you apply to university through UCAS, your A level grades are often converted into UCAS Tariff Points.
Many university offers will either specify a set of grades – for example AAB; or a total number of points, e.g. 120 points. Standard A level grades translate into UCAS points
- Grade A* = 56 points
- Grade A = 48 points
- Grade B = 40 points
- Grade C = 32 points
- Grade D = 24 points
- Grade E = 16 points
Getting the right combination of grades is your key to unlocking higher education, degree apprenticeships, or career progression.
AS level UCAS Tariff Points
AS levels are worth 40% of a full A level in terms of UCAS points – scaling points down from 20 points for a Grade A, to 6 points for a Grade E.
What Happens if You Don’t Get the A level Grades You Need?
Opening your A level results to find grades lower than expected can be heartbreaking. It’s important to remember you are not alone, and you have some immediate options.
To start, you should first of all contact your chosen universities to discuss possible opportunities with them; they may still be able to offer you something.
UCAS Clearing
If your A level results missed your firm and insurance university offers, you can enter Clearing. Many universities have excellent course vacancies available for students who didn’t quite hit their predicted A level grades.
Retaking A levels
If you want to raise your A level grades in order to reapply for your dream course next year, retaking A levels is an incredibly smart investment.
What to Do When You Didn’t Get the A level Results You Wanted
Online A level Courses: Retake Your A level with NEC
With an understanding of how A level grades, A level grade boundaries and UCAS Tariff points work, you can make informed decisions about university, apprenticeships, or your next steps.
If you decide that the next step is retaking A levels, NEC can offer two clear routes to help you retake A levels and achieve your goals, your way.
Standard Online A level Courses
NEC’s standard online A level courses are ideal if you want to take your time, working flexibly at your own speed over 18 to 24 months.
We have a wide choice of A level subjects available – find the right online A level course for you.
Fast Track Online A level Courses
If you want to retake an A level and get your grades quickly, NEC’s Structured Fast Track A level courses allow you to cover the curriculum effectively in just one year – getting you back on track for the next university intake.
We have a choice of fast-track A level subjects available – find the right Structured Fast Track A level for you.
UCAS Application Service: National Extension College
NEC offers support services to help students with their UCAS application.
To learn more about navigating university admissions, and how NEC can support you, visit our website.
“Remember, an exam result doesn’t define your capabilities – it just changes your route to success.” – Louise, Exams and Assessment Manager
A level Results Day: Moving Forward With Confidence
Now that you have a better understanding of how A level grades, A level grade boundaries and UCAS Tariff points work, you can approach A level results day with confidence. Whether you are applying to university, considering an apprenticeship, or planning to retake an A level, an understanding of how A level grades work will put you in a better position to make decisions about your future.
Over more than 60 years, the National Extension College (NEC) has supported thousands of students to gain A level qualifications and achieve their goals, their way.
We have a wide range of online A level and online AS level courses, all offered in conjunction with leading UK examination boards. Exams are strictly regulated, taken on specific dates at registered exam centres. Find out more about Exams and Assessment.
If you are considering taking, or retaking, an A level, our friendly Course Advice Team can talk you through the options, so do get in touch.
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Find the Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About A level Grades
To calculate your A level Grade, your raw marks from the final A level exams, plus any coursework or practical assessments for the subject, are combined to make a total; this is then compared to the Grade Boundaries set by the exam boards.
An A level raw mark is the mark awarded by the examiner or person who assesses your final exam or work.
An A level Grade Boundary is the minimum mark at which a particular A level grade (A* to E) can be achieved.
No, the A level Grade Boundaries are set by the exam boards every year. They can vary depending on the difficulty of the exam.
UCAS Tariff points translate your qualifications and grades into a numerical value, which is used by higher education providers to assess whether you meet the entry requirements to a course.
If you fail an A level, you could consider retaking your A level. Look at your options to do this, an online distance learning course, like those available from NEC, may be your preferred option.
This blog walks you through all the options if you didn’t get the A level results you wanted.
Yes, anyone can retake their A levels. Everyone’s circumstances are different, but you may decide to retake an A level if you failed the first time around, missed the grade you needed, or want to improve on a grade to boost your chances in future job or university applications.