If you’re keen to go to university, a lot will hinge on your A Level results. But what is a pass at A Level?
Here, we’ll help you to understand what grade is a pass at A Level so that when results day rolls around, you’re not left in the dark.
Psst! A tutor can help you get the A Level grades you need to go to your top-choice uni – browse our selection of A Level tutors to find one you click with.
What grade is a pass at A Level?
A Levels are graded from A* to E. An A* is the highest grade you can get while an E is the lowest pass grade.
This means you’ve passed your A Level if you receive one of six grades: A*, A, B, C, D or E.
Just bear in mind that most universities will require specific grades for admission. So, it’s always best to check the entry requirements for a university and course before you apply.
So, is an E grade a pass or fail in A Level?
An E grade is a pass in A Level.
However, it’s the lowest pass grade available. This means it comes with the fewest UCAS points.
What grade is a fail at A Level?
If you don’t get the marks for a grade E at A Level, you won’t pass.
This is known as a U, which stands for ‘unclassified.’
However, it will usually show on your results sheet as ‘Not Classified’ or something similar.
How many UCAS points is each A Level pass grade worth?
Each A Level pass grade will come with a different number of UCAS points.
These are often used to determine whether a student is the right fit for a university or college.
Here’s how many UCAS points you can expect to get for each pass grade.
| A Level pass grade | Number of UCAS points |
|---|---|
| A* | 56 |
| A | 48 |
| B | 40 |
| C | 32 |
| D | 24 |
| E | 16 |
As you can see, the lower your pass grade, the fewer UCAS points you’ll receive.
But don’t be disheartened. The points you receive from each A Level you pass will be added together to create one overall score.
So, your total number of UCAS points won’t just depend on your grade – it’ll also depend on the number of A Levels you take. Plus, some extracurricular activities can earn you extra UCAS points too!
How are A Level grades calculated?
Your final A Level grade will be calculated by taking into account how you performed in your final exams, as well as any coursework or practical assessments.
Every exam board will work differently. But normally, the minimum mark required to achieve each grade (known as the grade boundaries) won’t be calculated until after all exam papers have been marked.
Essentially, senior examiners and assessment experts will look at how difficult students found the paper (for instance, compared to previous years).
They’ll then take this into account when setting the boundaries to try and make things fair.
The idea is that students who perform at a certain level should get the same grade regardless of when they sat the exam and how hard the paper was that year.
With that in mind, the grade boundaries for each subject will normally only be published once that year’s results have been released.
Do a lot of people fail A Levels?
You’ll be pleased to know that far more students pass their A Levels than fail them.
However, if you fail your A Levels, you’re not alone. According to Statista, 2.4% of students received a U in their A Levels in 2023.
Just bear in mind that many universities will require you to get specific grades to get onto your chosen course – which brings us onto…
Can I still go to university if I fail my A Levels?
If you fail your A Levels – or simply miss out on the grades you needed to get into your top-choice university – all is not lost.
There are lots of different ways to still go to university. Here are a few options.
- Get your paper remarked. If you’re near the next grade boundary, getting your paper remarked could make all the difference – especially if you don’t feel your final grade reflects your experience of how the exam went.
- Talk to your uni. You won’t always automatically get rejected from your top-choice uni if you miss out on the grades you need – give them a call to see if there’s anything they can do.
- Apply for clearing. Clearing is a process that matches applicants to university places that are yet to be filled. Check to see if any unis or courses you’re interested in have a space you could fill.
- Retake your A Levels. Set on getting into your first-choice uni and course? Your best option could be to retake your A Levels and reapply next year, An experienced A Level tutor can help you get the results you need second time around.
- Explore alternative qualifications. Some universities will accept alternative qualifications – such as BTECs, Access to Higher Education courses and other diplomas. Some even offer a foundation year to help prepare you for your desired degree course!
If you fail your A Levels – or you miss out on the grades you need to get into uni – it’s natural to be disappointed with your exam results. But it’s not the end of the road. Rather, it’s just the beginning!
Head over to our practical guide on what happens if you fail your A Levels for help planning your next steps.
Get an expert to help you ace your A Levels
Worried about failing your A Levels? Disappointed with your A Level results and hoping to retake them?
Wherever you’re at, it’s not too late to reach out to our experienced, handpicked A Level tutors.
They’ll be able to create a tailored plan that takes into account your strengths, weaknesses and learning style to help you reach your goals.
Plus, many are even qualified teachers and examiners!
It’s no surprise that 88% of Tutorful students improve by at least one grade.
FAQs
Is a D a pass at A Level?
Yes, a D is a pass at A Level.
Just remember that every university will have different entry requirements – so, always check what grades they’re after before you apply.
Is an E a pass at A Level?
Yes, an E is a pass at A Level. However, it’s the lowest pass grade and so will come with the fewest UCAS points.
What is a pass grade in A Level?
A pass grade in A Level is any grade from A* to E.
What is a fail in A Level?
Students who fail to get at least an E in A Level won’t pass that subject. This is often referred to as a U, and may show up on your results sheet as ‘Not Classified.’
What is a Pass equivalent to in A Level?
If you’re taking a BTEC, you might be wondering what a Pass is equivalent to in A Level.
From UCAS’ point of view, a Pass in BTEC is equivalent to a grade E in A Level. Meanwhile, the Department for Education (DfE) views it as equivalent to a grade D or E.
What are Pass, Merit and Distinction equivalent grades at A Level?
BTECs are graded Pass (P), Merit (M), Distinction (D) and starred Distinction (D*).
UCAS views a P as equivalent to a grade E at A Level. Meanwhile, it sees a M as equivalent to a grade C, a D as equivalent to a grade A, and a D* as equivalent to an A*.
On the other hand, the DfE views things slightly differently. According to them, a P is equivalent to somewhere between a D and E at A Level. Meanwhile, an M falls somewhere between an A and D, while a D in BTEC is somewhere between a B and C at A Level. To round things off, they view a D* as equivalent to an A.
Ultimately, the most important thing is to check what grades any universities you’re applying to will require before you apply.
What happens if I fail one subject in A Level?
That depends. If you only fail one subject, you may still meet the grade requirements to get into your chosen university – or you may be able to find an alternative spot through clearing.
Alternatively, if you want to improve your results, you could apply to have your paper remarked or you could retake the subject.
If you decide to resit the A Level you failed, a tutor will be able to support you every step of the way, to help you reach your full potential.
