A-level: grades, boundaries & 2026 dates
A-levels are graded A* to E, and since the reforms the system is linear — one total subject mark, no UMS, and an A* that's set very differently from the old modular rule. These pages explain how grades are actually decided and give you real, dated AQA boundaries plus a UCAS points calculator — every figure sourced.
- How A-level grades work (A*–E)Linear exams, no UMS, how the A* is really set (not the old 90%-at-A2 rule), and why boundaries change each year.
- A-level grade boundaries (AQA & Edexcel)The raw marks for every grade in Maths, Biology, Chemistry, Psychology and more — AQA and Pearson Edexcel.
- A-level subjects: specification & assessmentHow each subject is assessed — papers, marks, durations, weightings, assessment objectives and what you study, from AQA's spec.
- How to choose your A-levelsWhat universities actually want, the 'facilitating subjects' myth, and which A-levels lead to medicine, law, engineering and more.
- Hardest A-levels by the grade dataA data-backed view from the 2025 A*/A rates — and why a subject's top-grade rate reflects who takes it, not how hard it is.
- UCAS Tariff points calculatorTurn A-level, AS, EPQ and BTEC grades into UCAS points — with the official values and the caveats that matter.
- A-level results day 2026Thursday 13 August 2026: results from 08:00, Clearing from 13:00, and the priority re-mark deadline.
- A-level exam timetable 2026AS and A-level exams run 11 May – 23 June 2026, with the contingency day and results date, from JCQ.
Also: GCSE · UCAS Tariff calculator · What's changing in the curriculum
These guides cover the Ofqual-regulated A-level taken in England (AQA, Pearson Edexcel, OCR and Eduqas). Wales (Qualifications Wales / WJEC) and Northern Ireland (CCEA) use different grading regimes for some subjects, so check with your board. A-level is regulated by Ofqual. Every figure on these pages is sourced to the exam boards, JCQ, UCAS or Ofqual.