Grading and levels

Information about grading and levels for students.

There are various grades and levels associated with exams for students. The information below outlines how these grades and levels work. 

How are GCSEs graded?

GCSE grades recently changed from letter grades (A* to G) to numbered grades (9 to 1). 

Grade 9 to 1 has replaced A* to G. If you were previously set entry requirements of a grade C or above, the equivalent is now grade 4 or above. The new grading structure can be found below.

GCSE grading
New grading structure Old grading structure
9 A*
8 A*
7 A
6 B
5 B
4 C
3 D
2 E/F
1 G
U U

You can find more information about GCSE grades on the gov.uk website.

How to post-16 grades link to UCAS and university entry?

If you are planning to go university it is always a good idea to get to grips with UCAS scoring and how your post-16 grades or levels contribute to this. 

  • A levels - one A level is the equivalent of 4 - 56 UCAS points (based on your grade)
  • BTEC - one BTEC is the equivalent of 8 - 138 UCAS points (based on your grade and level)
  • T levels - one T level is the equivalent of 72 - 168 UCAS points (based on your grade and level)
  • Apprenticeship - one apprenticeship is the equivalent of 8 - 168 UCAS points (based on your grade and level)

For more detailed information about scoring, you can check your course, or courses, on the UCAS website.

More details about various post-16 grades can be found below.

A level scoring in more detail

After one year you will receive an AS level which gives 4-20 UCAS Points (E - A Grade)

  • A - 20
  • B -16
  • C - 12
  • D - 8
  • E - 4

After two years on A levels you will receive an A level which gives 16-56 UCAS Points (E - A* Grade)

  • A* - 56
  • A - 48
  • B - 40
  • C - 32
  • D - 24
  • E - 16

Find out more about A levels on the National Careers Service website.

BTEC scoring in more detail

There are many different levels of BTEC courses. These will be graded through Pass / Merit /Distinction / Distinction* and are worth the following UCAS points.

  • Passes are worth 8-16 points
  • Merits are worth 16-32 points
  • Distinction are worth 24-48 points
  • Distinction* are worth 28-56 points

Some BTEC Courses can award multiple levels. Find out more about BTEC scoring on the UCAS website.

T level scoring in more detail

T Levels will receive an overall grade of Pass, Merit, Distinction or Distinction* and counts as much as 3 A levels.

  • Distinction* - 168 (AAA*)
  • Distinction - 144 (AAA)
  • Merit – 120 (BBB)
  • Pass(C or above on core) – 96 (CCC)
  • Pass(D or E on the core) – 72 (DDD)

Find out more about T levels on the National Careers Service website.

Apprenticeship scoring in more detail

There are many different levels of Apprenticeships. These will be graded through Pass / Merit / Distinction / Distinction* and are worth the following UCASE points.

  • Passes are worth 8-16 points
  • Merits are worth 16-32 points
  • Distinction are worth 24-48 points
  • Distinction* are worth 28-56 points

Some apprentice courses can award multiple levels depending on the difficulty.

Find out more about apprenticeships on the National Careers Service website.