Cambridge A-Level Grade Calculator
Calculate Your A-Level Grades, UCAS Points, and University Equivalents
📊 A-Level Grade Calculator
📚 Understanding Cambridge A-Levels
🎓 What are A-Levels?
A-Levels (Advanced Levels) are subject-based qualifications typically studied over two years (ages 16-18) in the UK and internationally through Cambridge International Education. They are the primary route to university in the UK and widely recognized globally.
Students typically study 3-4 subjects at A-Level, choosing subjects relevant to their intended university degree. Each subject is graded from A* (highest) to E (pass), with U indicating ungraded/fail.
🌍 Cambridge International
Cambridge International A-Levels are offered by Cambridge Assessment International Education (formerly CIE) to over 10,000 schools in 160+ countries. They follow the same rigorous standards as UK A-Levels.
Cambridge A-Levels use UMS (Unified Mark Scheme) scoring. Raw marks are converted to UMS marks out of 100, which then determine final grades. This allows fair comparison across different exam sessions.
📊 Grading System
A* (A Star): 90%+ UMS - Exceptional achievement
A: 80-89% UMS - Excellent performance
B: 70-79% UMS - Very good performance
C-E: Pass grades (40-69% UMS)
AS vs A-Level:
AS-Level (Advanced Subsidiary): The first year of A-Level study, worth 50% of a full A-Level. Can be taken as a standalone qualification.
A2-Level: The second year, completing the full A-Level. Together with AS, forms the complete Advanced Level qualification.
📊 Complete A-Level Grade Boundaries
⚠️ Important: These are standard Cambridge International grade boundaries. Actual boundaries may vary slightly by subject, component, and exam session. Always check the official grade thresholds for your specific exam.
Full A-Level Grades (A2)
AS-Level Grades
🎯 UCAS Tariff Points System
UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) uses a tariff points system to compare different qualifications for UK university applications. Each A-Level grade converts to specific UCAS points, allowing universities to set entry requirements numerically.
Complete UCAS Points Table:
A-Level (Full)
A* = 56 points
A = 48 points
B = 40 points
C = 32 points
D = 24 points
E = 16 points
AS-Level
A = 20 points
B = 16 points
C = 12 points
D = 10 points
E = 6 points
Common Combinations
A* A* A* = 168 points
A A A = 144 points
A A B = 136 points
A B B = 128 points
B B B = 120 points
B B C = 112 points
💡 Typical University Requirements: Top universities (Russell Group) typically require 120-168 UCAS points from 3 A-Levels. Competitive courses like Medicine may require AAA (144 points) or higher.
🔢 How A-Level Grades Are Calculated
Understanding the calculation process helps students know exactly what they need to achieve their target grades. Cambridge A-Levels use a component-based system where each exam paper contributes to your final grade.
Calculation Process:
Step 1: Raw Marks
You sit multiple exam papers (components) for each subject. Each paper has a maximum raw mark (e.g., Paper 1: 75 marks, Paper 2: 75 marks, Paper 3: 50 marks). Your performance is marked to give raw marks out of these totals.
Step 2: UMS Conversion
Raw marks are converted to UMS (Unified Mark Scheme) marks. Each component is scaled to a UMS maximum (typically 100 or 50). This standardizes marks across different exam sessions and allows fair comparison.
Step 3: Component Weighting
Each component contributes a specific percentage to your total. For example, in Mathematics: Paper 1 (50%), Paper 2 (25%), Paper 3 (25%). The weighted UMS marks are summed to give your total UMS percentage.
Step 4: Final Grade Assignment
Your total UMS percentage is compared to grade boundaries: 90%+ = A*, 80-89% = A, 70-79% = B, etc. These boundaries are set by Cambridge after each exam session to maintain standards.
Example Calculation:
Mathematics A-Level (3 Papers):
Paper 1: 65/75 raw marks → 87 UMS (weight: 33.3%)
Paper 2: 58/75 raw marks → 80 UMS (weight: 33.3%)
Paper 3: 42/50 raw marks → 85 UMS (weight: 33.4%)
Final UMS: (87 + 80 + 85) ÷ 3 = 84%
Grade: A (80-89% range)
💡 Essential A-Level Facts
Critical Information for Students:
📌 Grade Boundaries Vary by Session:
Cambridge adjusts grade boundaries for each exam session (May/June, October/November) based on paper difficulty. Harder papers have lower boundaries; easier papers have higher boundaries. Check official thresholds after exams.
📌 Subject-Specific Differences:
Different subjects have different component structures. Sciences typically have 3-5 papers including practicals. Mathematics has 3 papers. Languages have oral and written components. Always check your specific subject's assessment structure.
📌 A* Requirements:
To achieve A*, you need 90%+ UMS overall AND often 90%+ on specific A2 papers. Simply averaging 90% across all papers isn't always sufficient. Check your subject's specific A* criteria.
📌 Resit Opportunities:
Cambridge International allows resits. You can retake individual papers to improve grades. Your best UMS marks for each component count toward your final grade, but universities may see all attempts on your certificate.
📌 International Recognition:
Cambridge A-Levels are recognized by universities worldwide. For US universities, A-Levels are equivalent to AP exams. For Australian universities, A-Levels convert to ATAR equivalents. Top UK universities require AAA-A*A*A* (144-168 UCAS points).
📌 Extended Project Qualification (EPQ):
UK students can take EPQ alongside A-Levels for extra UCAS points. EPQ is worth up to 28 UCAS points (equivalent to AS grade A). Many universities value EPQ highly for demonstrating independent research skills.
🎓 UK University Entry Requirements
🏆 Oxford/Cambridge
Typical: A*A*A - A*AA
UCAS: 160-168 points
Plus: Admission tests, interviews, strong personal statement
⭐ Russell Group
Typical: AAA - AAB
UCAS: 136-144 points
Examples: Imperial, LSE, UCL, Manchester, Edinburgh
📚 Competitive Unis
Typical: ABB - BBB
UCAS: 120-128 points
Examples: Bath, Surrey, Nottingham, Leeds
✅ General Entry
Typical: BBC - CCC
UCAS: 96-112 points
Examples: Various universities, foundation years
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What percentage do I need for an A*?
You typically need 90%+ in UMS marks overall, plus 90%+ on A2 papers specifically. Raw mark requirements vary by subject and session, but generally you need 80-85%+ in raw marks. Check the official grade thresholds for your specific subject and exam session.
Can I combine AS and A-Level grades?
Yes, for UCAS applications. For example, 2 A-Levels (AAA = 96 points) plus 1 AS (A = 20 points) gives 116 total points. However, most competitive universities prefer 3 full A-Levels over combinations with AS subjects.
How do Cambridge A-Levels differ from UK A-Levels?
Cambridge International A-Levels follow the same standard and grading as UK A-Levels (Pearson Edexcel, AQA, OCR). The main difference is exam sessions—Cambridge offers May/June and October/November, while UK boards primarily offer May/June. Content and difficulty are equivalent.
What if I fail one component?
You can resit individual components (papers). Your best mark for each component counts toward your final grade. However, you must complete all components to receive a final A-Level grade. One failed component results in no qualification unless retaken.
How many UCAS points do I need for university?
It varies widely. Oxford/Cambridge: 160-168 points (A*A*A-A*AA). Top Russell Group: 136-144 (AAA-AAB). Good universities: 112-128 (BBB-ABB). General entry: 96-112 (CCC-BBC). Always check specific course requirements on university websites.
Are predicted grades important?
Yes, extremely important! Predicted grades (given by teachers) determine whether you receive university offers. UK universities make conditional offers based on predicted grades. If predicted AAA, you'll likely receive offers requiring AAA. Strong predicted grades are crucial for competitive courses.
⚠️ Important Disclaimer
This calculator provides estimates based on standard Cambridge International grade boundaries. Actual grade boundaries vary by:
- Subject and syllabus code
- Exam session (May/June vs October/November)
- Year and paper difficulty
- Specific component weightings
- Exam board (Cambridge, Pearson, AQA, OCR)
Always refer to official grade thresholds published by Cambridge Assessment International Education after each exam session. These are available on the Cambridge International website approximately 8 weeks after exams.
👨🏫 About the Author
Adam Kumar
Co-Founder @ RevisionTown
Adam is a mathematics education expert with extensive experience across multiple international curricula including Cambridge A-Levels, IB (International Baccalaureate), AP (Advanced Placement), GCSE, IGCSE, and Australian systems (VCE, HSC, QCE, WACE, SACE). His deep expertise in UK qualification systems makes him uniquely qualified to guide students through A-Level assessment.
Through RevisionTown, Adam has helped thousands of students navigate Cambridge A-Level examinations, providing expert guidance on grade calculations, UCAS points, university applications, and subject selection strategies for both UK and international students.
His comprehensive understanding of how Cambridge grade boundaries work, combined with experience across multiple educational systems, enables him to provide accurate, practical information for students aiming to maximize their A-Level performance and university prospects.
📧 Email: info@revisiontown.com
💼 LinkedIn: Connect with Adam