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.
We’ll cover:
- What grades count as passes
- How many students achieve each grade (2025 statistics)
- UCAS points for each grade
- How grades are calculated
- What to do if you don’t get the grades you need
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.
A* is the highest grade you can get
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.
All six of these grades are considered passes and will earn you UCAS points for university applications.
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 (16 points per A Level).
Important
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.
An E might technically be a pass, but it won’t get you into competitive courses.
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’ or ‘ungraded’.
However, it will usually show on your results sheet as ‘Not Classified’, ‘Unclassified’, or something similar.
A U grade means:
- You haven’t passed that A Level
- You won’t receive any UCAS points for that subject
- You may need to resit or consider alternative options
Understanding A Level grades in 2025: The current picture
It’s helpful to understand how common each grade is.
Overall pass rates in 2025
According to Tes and Tutorful’s analysis, in Summer 2025:
This represents a slight increase from 2024:
- Pass rate up from 97.1% to 97.4%
- Top grades up from 27.6% to 28.2%
- C+ grades up from 76.0% to 77.7%
What this means
Pass rates are very high – only 2.6% of students failed to achieve at least an E grade in 2025.
Grade distribution in 2025
According to Statista for UK data:
| Grade | Percentage of Entries | Status |
|---|---|---|
| B | 26% | Most common (Pass) |
| C | 22.4% | Second most common (Pass) |
| A | 18.1% | Pass |
| D | 12.5% | Pass |
| E | 9.4% | Pass (lowest) |
| A* | 9.3% | Pass (highest) |
| U | 2.4% | Fail |
The takeaway
Most students get a B or C grade. Top grades (A*/A) are less common but achievable.
Historical context: Grades compared to pre-pandemic
According to FFT Education Datalab:
Compared to 2019 (pre-pandemic):
- 2025 A*/A rates are higher than 2019 across most subjects
- Grades have stabilized at a “slightly higher level” than 2019
- This represents what Ofqual considers appropriate standards
Why grades are slightly higher:
- Cohort improvements over time
- Better teaching resources
- Students more accustomed to reformed A Level structure
Note
Ofqual chief regulator Sir Ian Bauckham said the 2025 cohort was “slightly smaller and slightly stronger” than previous years.
How many UCAS points is each A Level pass grade worth?
Each A Level pass grade comes 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.
UCAS Points Table for A Levels (2025-2026)
According to UCAS and The Complete University Guide:
| A Level Grade | UCAS Tariff Points |
|---|---|
| A* | 56 |
| A | 48 |
| B | 40 |
| C | 32 |
| D | 24 |
| E | 16 |
| U (fail) | 0 |
Example calculations
If you get AAB:
- A = 48 points
- A = 48 points
- B = 40 points
- Total = 136 UCAS points
If you get BBB:
- B = 40 points
- B = 40 points
- B = 40 points
- Total = 120 UCAS points
If you get CCC:
- C = 32 points
- C = 32 points
- C = 32 points
- Total = 96 UCAS points
Important notes about UCAS points
Points accumulate
The points you receive from each A Level you pass will be added together to create one overall score.
Your total depends on:
- Your individual grades in each subject
- The number of A Levels you take
- Any additional qualifications (EPQ, AS Levels, etc.)
Additional qualifications can boost your points:
Up to 28 extra points:
- A* = 28 points
- A = 24 points
- B = 20 points
- C = 16 points
- D = 12 points
- E = 8 points
Worth 40% of full A Level:
- AS A = 20 points
- AS B = 16 points
- AS C = 12 points
- AS D = 10 points
- AS E = 6 points
Grade 6+ can earn UCAS points
How universities use UCAS points
According to The Complete University Guide:
About 70% of university courses use UCAS Tariff points as part of their entry requirements.
Two types of offers:
1. Grade-based offers (e.g., “ABB”)
- You must get those specific grades
- Less flexibility
2. Points-based offers (e.g., “128 points”)
- You can use any combination of grades to reach the total
- More flexibility
- ABB = 128 points, but so does AAC or A*BC
Important
Always check individual university course requirements. Some may:
- Only accept certain subjects
- Require specific grades in particular subjects (e.g., “Must include grade B in Maths”)
- Limit which qualifications count (e.g., “Only top 3 A Levels count”)
- Not use UCAS points at all (30% of courses use grades only)
How are A Level grades calculated?
Your final A Level grade is calculated by taking into account:
- Final exams (the majority of your grade)
- Coursework (if applicable – varies by subject)
- Practical assessments (for subjects like Sciences, Art, Drama)
Grade boundaries explained
Every exam board works differently, but normally:
- All exam papers are marked by trained examiners
- Senior examiners and assessment experts analyze the difficulty of the papers
- Grade boundaries are set after marking is complete
- Boundaries aim to maintain standards year-on-year
The goal
Students who perform at a certain level should get the same grade regardless of:
- When they sat the exam
- How difficult that year’s paper was
When are grade boundaries published?
Grade boundaries for each subject are published on results day (usually mid-August).
You can find them on your exam board’s website:
- AQA
- Edexcel/Pearson
- OCR
- WJEC/Eduqas
Why boundaries vary
- Some years, papers are harder → boundaries may be lower
- Some years, papers are easier → boundaries may be higher
- This keeps standards consistent
Do a lot of people fail A Levels?
Good news: Far more students pass their A Levels than fail them.
Failure rates in 2025
According to Tes and Tutorful:
This means fewer than 1 in 40 entries failed.
Comparison to previous years
Historical failure rates:
- 2024: 2.9% failed (97.1% passed)
- 2023: Similar levels after return to normal grading
- 2019 (pre-pandemic): Slightly lower pass rates than now
The trend
Pass rates are stable and very high.
Important caveat: University requirements
Just because you pass doesn’t mean you’ll get into your chosen university
Most competitive universities require:
- Minimum of CCC for many courses
- BBB or higher for popular courses
- AAA or A*AA for highly competitive courses (Medicine, Law, Oxbridge, etc.)
So while passing is common, getting the specific grades you need requires dedicated work.
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 your options.
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.
How it works:
- Request a “review of marking” through your school
- A different examiner re-marks your paper
- Your grade could go up, down, or stay the same
Costs (2025-2026):
- AQA: £50.40 per A Level paper
- Edexcel: £57 per paper
- OCR: £65.25 per paper
When to consider this:
- You were very close to the next grade boundary
- Your result doesn’t match your mock performance
- Your teacher is surprised by your grade
- You need a specific grade for your university offer
Deadline: Usually mid-September (check with your exam board)
You won’t always automatically get rejected if you miss out on the grades you need.
What to do:
- Call the admissions office immediately on results day
- Explain your situation
- Ask if they can still accept you
- Be prepared to discuss your circumstances
When this might work:
- You missed by one grade (e.g., got ABB instead of AAA)
- You have strong extenuating circumstances
- The course hasn’t filled all its places
- You showed strong performance in relevant subjects
Important: Universities have limited flexibility, but it’s always worth asking.
Clearing is a process that matches applicants to university places that are yet to be filled.
How it works:
- Available from early July, but most active after A Level results
- Universities list available courses
- You contact universities directly
- You can apply for courses with spaces
Who can use Clearing:
- You didn’t receive any offers
- You didn’t meet the conditions of your offers
- You declined your firm choice
- You didn’t apply by June 30 deadline
Tips for Clearing:
- Start researching early
- Have your UCAS ID and results ready
- Call universities on results day morning
- Be flexible about your course or location
- Act quickly – places fill fast
Set on getting into your first-choice university and course? Your best option could be to retake your A Levels and reapply next year.
When retaking makes sense:
- You’re committed to a specific course or university
- You narrowly missed your grades
- You had extenuating circumstances (illness, personal problems)
- You’re willing to dedicate another year to study
How to retake:
Option A: Stay at your school/college
- Some sixth forms allow you to stay for a third year
- Free if they allow it
- Access to teachers and resources
- Sit exams next summer
Option B: Enroll at a different college
- Some FE colleges offer one-year A Level retake courses
- May have fees
- Fresh start with new teachers
Option C: Study online or privately
- Online courses available (£500-£2,000 per subject)
- Private tutoring (£30-£80 per hour)
- Self-study with private exam entry (£100-£200 per subject)
- More flexible but requires self-discipline
Exam timing for resits:
- Full A Levels: Next summer exam series
- Can’t resit just one paper – must retake entire A Level
- Your best grade counts (you won’t lose marks if you do worse second time)
An experienced A Level tutor can help you get the results you need second time around.
Some universities will accept alternative qualifications instead of A Levels:
BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma
- Equivalent to 3 A Levels
- More coursework, fewer exams
- Vocational focus
- Many universities accept BTECs
Access to Higher Education Diploma
- Specifically designed for adults returning to education
- 1-year course
- Accepted by many universities
- Often lower entry requirements
Foundation Year
- Some universities offer a foundation year before your degree
- Prepares you for university-level study
- Leads directly into your chosen degree
- Total course = 4 years instead of 3
T Levels
- New technical qualifications (similar to BTECs)
- 2-year courses
- Include work placement
- Equivalent to 3 A Levels
International Baccalaureate (IB)
- Some students switch from A Levels to IB
- Broader curriculum
- Accepted by all UK universities
What if you failed just one A Level?
If you only fail one subject, you may still:
- Meet the grade requirements for your chosen university (check your offer)
- Find an alternative spot through Clearing
- Apply with 2 A Levels plus other qualifications
You could:
- Retake just that one A Level next summer
- Apply for courses with lower requirements
- Look for courses that don’t require that specific subject
What to do right now if you’re worried about failing
Worried about failing your A Levels? Or disappointed with your results and hoping to retake them?
Get expert help
Our experienced, handpicked A Level tutors can:
- Create a tailored plan based on your strengths, weaknesses, and learning style
- Help you understand exactly what you need to do to improve
- Provide exam technique coaching
- Build your confidence
- Keep you accountable and motivated
Many of our tutors are:
- Qualified teachers
- Subject specialists with degrees in their field
- Experienced with your specific exam board
- Some are even exam markers themselves!
It’s no surprise that 88% of Tutorful students improve by at least one grade.
Take action now
If you’re currently studying:
- Identify your weak areas – what topics do you struggle with?
- Get help early – don’t wait until it’s too late
- Practice past papers – exam technique is crucial
- Ask for predicted grades – know where you stand
- Research university requirements – know what you’re aiming for
If you’ve already received disappointing results:
- Don’t panic – you have options
- Get your papers – see where you went wrong
- Talk to your school – discuss remarking or resitting
- Contact universities – explore Clearing
- Make a plan – decide your next steps
FAQs
Yes, a D is a pass at A Level.
A D grade is worth 24 UCAS points.
However, remember:
- Most universities require higher grades (usually C or above)
- Competitive courses require B or A grades
- Always check specific entry requirements before applying
A D is a pass, but it may not get you into your chosen course.
Yes, an E is a pass at A Level.
However, it’s the lowest pass grade and comes with the fewest UCAS points (16 points per A Level).
Reality check:
- Very few universities accept E grades for admission
- Most courses require minimum of CCC (96 points)
- An E limits your university options significantly
An E technically means you passed, but you’ll struggle to get into university with these grades.
A pass grade in A Level is any grade from A* to E.
All six passing grades:
- A* (56 points)
- A (48 points)
- B (40 points)
- C (32 points)
- D (24 points)
- E (16 points)
U (unclassified) is a fail and earns 0 UCAS points.
A U grade (unclassified) is a fail in A Level.
This means you didn’t achieve enough marks to get even an E grade.
On your results sheet, it may show as:
- U (unclassified)
- Ungraded
- Not Classified
- No Award
What happens if you fail:
- You don’t receive UCAS points for that subject
- You can retake the entire A Level
- You may still be able to go to university with your other results
Head over to our practical guide on what happens if you fail your A Levels for help planning your next steps.
If you’re taking a BTEC, you might be wondering what a Pass is equivalent to in A Level.
From UCAS’ point of view:
- BTEC Pass (P) = A Level E grade
- Both worth approximately the same number of UCAS points for equivalent qualifications
From the Department for Education (DfE) perspective:
- BTEC Pass (P) = A Level D or E
- Slightly broader equivalence
The safest approach: Check with your specific university what they accept.
BTECs are graded Pass (P), Merit (M), Distinction (D) and starred Distinction (D*).
UCAS equivalence (for BTEC Extended Diploma = 3 A Levels):
- D*D*D* = A*A*A* (168 points)
- D*D*D = AAA (144 points)
- D*DD = AAB (136 points)
- DDD = ABB (120 points)
- DMM = BBC (104 points)
- MMM = CCC (96 points)
- MMP = CCD (80 points)
- MPP = CDE (64 points)
- PPP = EEE (48 points)
Individual grade equivalence (approximate):
- BTEC D* ≈ A Level A* or A
- BTEC D ≈ A Level A or B
- BTEC M ≈ A Level B or C
- BTEC P ≈ A Level D or E
Important: Always check what grades any universities you’re applying to will require before you apply. Requirements vary significantly between institutions.
It depends on your situation.
If you only fail one subject:
Best case scenario:
- Your other two A Levels may still meet entry requirements
- You might find alternative courses through Clearing
- Some universities are flexible if you nearly met the conditions
What you can do:
- Check if you still meet requirements – some courses only need 2 A Levels
- Apply through Clearing – find courses that accept your grades
- Talk to your firm choice university – ask if they can be flexible
- Retake the failed subject – sit it again next summer
- Get a tutor for your retake – maximize your chances of success
If you want to improve your results:
- Apply to have your paper remarked (if you were close)
- Retake the subject next year
- A tutor will be able to support you every step of the way
According to Statista, in 2024:
9.3% of students achieved an A* grade in their A Level entries.
For 2025, according to Tes:
- Overall A*/A combined = 28.2%
- This suggests approximately 9-10% achieved A* (exact breakdown not yet published)
What this means:
- A* grades are relatively rare (roughly 1 in 10 entries)
- They require exceptional performance
- Competitive courses at top universities may require multiple A*s
Subject variation: Some subjects have much higher A* rates:
- Further Maths: 26.6% got A*
- Maths: 16.3% got A*
- Physics: 13.3% got A*
Other subjects have lower A* rates:
- English Literature: 4.9% got A*
- Geography: 5.2% got A*
The most common A Level grade is B.
According to Statista 2024 data:
- B grade: 26% of all entries (most common)
- C grade: 22.4% of entries (second most common)
Average/typical student performance:
- Most students get grades in the B-C range
- The median grade is approximately a B or C
- Getting all Bs is considered “good” solid performance
What universities typically require:
- Competitive courses: AAB-AAA (128-144 points)
- Average courses: BBB-BBC (112-120 points)
- Less competitive: CCC (96 points)
120 UCAS points = BBB grades (three Bs), which is considered good solid performance.
What 120 points can get you:
- Entry to many reputable universities
- Access to most non-competitive courses
- Good range of course options
Universities that typically accept 120 points:
- Many mid-ranking universities
- A good range of courses at various institutions
- Some courses at higher-ranking universities
When 120 points might not be enough:
- Highly competitive courses (Medicine, Law, Veterinary Science)
- Top-tier universities (Russell Group often want 128-144+)
- Specific courses with higher requirements
The answer: Yes, 120 UCAS points is good! It represents solid B-grade performance and opens many university doors.
Statistics in this guide are from 2025 A Level results data. Sources include Tes, Tutorful, FFT Education Datalab, Statista, UCAS, and The Complete University Guide.
