For unitised qualifications the A* at A Level is awarded to candidates who achieve a grade A on the A Level overall – at least 80% on the uniform mark scale (UMS) – and who also achieve at least 90% across the A2 units.
Example
In a four-unit A Level which has a total of 400 UMS, 200 UMS are available for the A2 units.
To achieve an A*, you need to achieve:
- At least 320 UMS for the full A Level (i.e. an A overall)
- 180 or more for the A2 units.
The A* is not awarded for individual units or for the AS Level.
Mathematics
The structure of A Level Mathematics is different from other subjects, and so uses a slightly different rule.
It is currently possible to achieve A Level Mathematics with four AS and two A2 units or with three AS and three A2 units. Therefore, so that the same rule can be applied to all unit combinations, candidates must achieve a grade A on the A Level overall and achieve 90% of the UMS on the two mandatory A2 units combined (units C3 and C4).
It’s also possible to achieve A Level Further Mathematics with more than three A2 units. In this case, the A* is calculated in the same way as it is for all other subjects, based on the three best A2 units.
Answers to frequently asked questions are provided in the following useful document: