Grade threshold tables

To find the grade thresholds that apply to a candidate, you should find the option code of the candidate’s entry. The table will show the combination of components that each option code represents and the grade thresholds for each option.

Where an entry option incorporates more than one route to an A Level result, such as a best of both option, the table will show separate grade thresholds for each of these routes. You can find the thresholds for your option by matching the combination of components that applies to that candidate's specific route to their result.

For example, if a candidate is entered for a best of both A Level option DX that includes the AS Level components 11 and 21, the A2 (A Level) components 31 and 41, and the carry forward AS Level components 87 and 97, there are four routes to a result:

1. A Level using components 11, 21, 31, 41
2. A Level using components 31, 41, 87
3. A Level using components 31, 41, 97
4. AS Level using components 11, 21

You can find these combinations of components listed in the grade thresholds document, but the option codes will be different.

1. Option AX would list the option thresholds for 11, 21, 31, 41
2. Option BX would list the option thresholds for 31, 41, 87
3. Option CX would list the option thresholds for 31, 41, 97
4. Option SX would list the option thresholds for 11, 21

These component and option codes will vary depending on the syllabus and your administrative zone.

The best of both entry option automatically uses the candidate’s AS Level result from the last 13 months that produces the best overall A Level result when combined with the marks for the A2 components sat in the current series.

The best AS Level result is the mark that is closer to the next grade threshold for the exam series when it was taken. As thresholds can change from series to series, a numerically lower mark could produce the best A Level result depending on where the threshold was for that specific series. For example:

A candidate has two sets of AS Level marks to carry forward, which will result in two possible total marks: 108 or 114.

The mark of 108 is made up of a combination of components. This combination of components has the following grade thresholds:

A = 112
B = 98

Therefore, using the AS Level mark of 108 the candidate’s grade is B.

The mark of 114 is made up of another combination of components. But this combination of components has different grade thresholds:

A = 120
B = 104

Therefore, using the AS Level mark of 114 the candidate’s grade is also B.

In this case, the best mark is 108 rather than 114, because 108 is closer to the A grade threshold of 112, while the mark of 114 is further from the A grade threshold of 120.