A-level grades
There are six pass grades: A*, A, B, C, D and E. E is the lowest pass, and U means unclassified (no grade awarded). A-levels in England are linear, so your grade comes from exams taken at the end of the two-year course, plus any non-exam assessment in subjects that have it.
Like GCSEs, A-level grade boundaries are not fixed percentages. Exam boards set them after each series using statistics and examiner judgement, so the marks needed for an A in 2027 may differ from 2026. Use past boundaries only as a rough guide and aim above them.
UCAS tariff points for A-levels and AS levels
| Grade | A-level points | AS level points | EPQ points |
|---|---|---|---|
| A* | 56 | n/a | 28 |
| A | 48 | 20 | 24 |
| B | 40 | 16 | 20 |
| C | 32 | 12 | 16 |
| D | 24 | 10 | 12 |
| E | 16 | 6 | 8 |
Common grade combinations
| Three A-levels | UCAS points |
|---|---|
| A*A*A* | 168 |
| AAA | 144 |
| AAB | 136 |
| ABB | 128 |
| BBB | 120 |
| BBC | 112 |
| CCC | 96 |
| DDD | 72 |
See where you stand in 10 minutes
Take the free A-level Maths practice test. 15 questions, every answer explained.
Grades or points: how universities use them
- Many universities, especially for competitive courses, make offers in grades, often with named subjects, for example "AAB including A in Chemistry". Points do not help you here: A*BC (128 points) does not meet an AAB offer.
- Others make offers in tariff points, for example "112 UCAS points", sometimes with a minimum grade in a named subject.
- UCAS says not all universities use tariff points, some only count your best three A-levels, and a qualification having points does not mean every course will accept it. Always read the entry requirements on the course page.
- Most courses also expect GCSE English and maths at grade 4 or above, and some ask for grade 5 or 6. See GCSE grades explained.
Where AS levels fit
AS levels are standalone qualifications, usually taken after one year. Since the A-level reforms in England, AS results no longer count towards the final A-level grade: if you carry on to the full A-level, you sit all the A-level exams at the end of Year 13.
An AS is worth fewer tariff points than an A-level (an AS grade A is 20 points, against 48 for an A-level A). Some students take one AS alongside three A-levels, or drop a fourth subject to an AS, but many schools no longer offer them, and some universities do not count them in offers. The Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) is worth up to 28 points and some universities lower an offer by one grade for a good EPQ.
Results day 2027
- A-level and AS results for the June 2027 series are released to students on Thursday 12 August 2027. The last A-level exam on the common timetable is 22 June 2027, with 23 June as a contingency day.
- UCAS updates your application on the same morning. If you met the conditions, your firm place will show as confirmed.
- If you narrowly missed an offer, the university may still accept you. Call the admissions office early that day.
- If you are not placed, or you did better than expected, you can look for a place through UCAS Clearing.
- If you think a paper was marked wrongly, ask your school about a review of marking. A review can lower a grade as well as raise it.
Getting the grades you need
Work backwards from your offer. If you need an A in one subject and Bs in two others, spend more of your timed practice on the A subject and on the topics where you lose the most marks. Short, frequent retrieval practice and full timed papers in the final months matter more than rereading notes. Start with our free practice tests for A-level Maths, A-level Biology, A-level Chemistry and A-level Physics.
Frequently asked questions
How many UCAS points is an A* at A-level?
56 points. An A is 48, B 40, C 32, D 24 and E 16.
How many UCAS points is AAA?
144 points (48 + 48 + 48). AAB is 136 and BBB is 120.
Is grade E a pass at A-level?
Yes. E is the lowest pass grade and is worth 16 UCAS points. U is unclassified.
Do AS levels count towards my A-level grade?
Not in England. AS levels are now standalone, so the A-level grade comes only from the A-level assessments.
If I have enough UCAS points, will I meet a grade offer?
Not necessarily. A grade offer such as AAB must be met grade for grade, even if a different combination adds up to the same or more points.
When is A-level results day 2027?
Thursday 12 August 2027, according to JCQ's key dates for the June 2027 series.
Official sources
- UCAS: UCAS Tariff points, what they are and how they work
- UCAS: Calculate your UCAS Tariff points
- UCAS: Tariff tables (PDF)
- JCQ: Key dates, June 2027 examination series
Practice tests for these exams
A-level Mathematics Exam
A-level Mathematics is a two-year linear qualification covering pure maths, statistics and mechanics, taken by sixth form and college students in England.
A-level Biology Exam
A-level Biology is a two-year linear course with all exams taken in the May/June series at the end.
A-level Chemistry Exam
A-level Chemistry is a two-year linear qualification graded A* to E, with all exams sat at the end of the course in the May/June series.
A-level Physics Exam
A-level Physics is a two-year linear qualification assessed by three written exams at the end of the course.
A-level Psychology Exam
A-level Psychology is a two-year linear qualification.
A-level Economics Exam
A-level Economics is a two-year linear qualification covering microeconomics and macroeconomics.
This guide is general information, checked November 2026, not official exam board guidance. Specifications and dates can change; confirm the details with your school or exam board.
