Top 10 Hardest A Levels To Study In 2026

If you’re choosing which A Levels to study, and you’re worried you may find certain subjects difficult, you’re not alone. 

Many students fear the ‘jump’ from GCSEs to A Levels, but this shouldn't discourage you from choosing more challenging subjects. 

How difficult you find a certain A Level is subjective and will be different for each student. With that being said, this guide explores some of the hardest A Levels you can study in 2026, and how Save My Exams can support you throughout.

Key Takeaways

• "Hard" doesn't mean the same thing for every student. A subject that feels difficult for one person could be a natural fit for another.

• Pass rate statistics are a useful starting point, but they don't tell the whole story. Fail rates, top-grade rates, workload, and the type of thinking required all matter.

• Difficulty is shaped by your prior knowledge, your preferred assessment style, and how much you genuinely enjoy the subject. 

What Are The Hardest A Levels?

To determine some of the hardest A Levels to study in 2026, we analysed Ofqual’s 2025 A Level results data (opens in a new tab). This shows what subjects had the lowest pass rates last year – which is the percentage of students achieving a grade E or above.

Check out the table below for the results, which we’ve ranked in order of lowest to highest pass rate percentage:

Top 5 Hardest A Level Subjects

1. Physics

Pass rate: 95.4% 

The hardest A Level to pass in 2025 was Physics. Why? To succeed in A Level Physics, you’ll need to have a strong understanding of abstract concepts including quantum mechanics, electromagnetism and thermodynamics. This stuff can be really challenging to get your head around.

You may want to study Physics at A Level if: 

• You have strong problem-solving skills 

• You enjoy practical lab work and data analysis

• You want to pursue a career in engineering, forensic science, or dentistry

2. Chemistry

Pass rate: 95.6% 

If you choose A Level Chemistry, you can expect to study challenging concepts such as atomic structure, bonding, thermodynamics and reaction mechanisms.

With A Level Chemistry covering a wide range of topics (no matter the exam board), you’ll need to understand many different theories. You’ll also need to have the ability to apply your knowledge of these theories to solve complex problems. 

You may want to study Chemistry at A Level if: 

• You enjoy a mix of theory and practical work 

• You have strong analytical skills and enjoy problem-solving

• You’re considering further study or a career in medicine, pharmacy, or biomedical sciences

3. Computing

Pass rate: 95.7% 

A Level Computing had the third-lowest pass rate in 2025, so it may be considered one of the harder A Levels you can study in 2026.

To do well in A Level Computing, students must master advanced programming languages such as Python or JavaScript. You'll also need to understand abstract computing principles.

However, this is the perfect A Level if you hope to pursue a career in tech and want to delve into coding, cybersecurity, AI and more. You shouldn’t let the pass rate put you off if this is something you’re keen to explore. 

You may want to study Computing at A Level if:

• You enjoy subjects that require both theory and practical skills

• You have strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills 

• You’re interested in a career in computing or tech, such as software engineering, data science or cybersecurity

4. Biology

Pass rate: 95.8% 

A Level Biology may have one of the lowest pass rates, but it’s also one of the most popular A Levels. It’s known for being quite content-heavy, requiring students to understand complex biological systems including cell biology, genetics, ecology and physiology. 

But this shouldn't deter you if it’s a subject you’re interested in. 

You may want to study Biology at A Level if: 

• You’re interested in science and the natural world

• You have strong analytical skills and prefer written exams to practical assessments

• You’re considering a career in medicine or sciences, such as healthcare, environmental science or research

5. Law

Pass rate: 96.2% 

Some students may find A Level Law challenging because it covers a lot of content and requires a strong grasp of complex legal principles. A good memory is essential, as you'll need to build well-structured arguments using the right legal terms and case studies.

You may want to study Law at A Level if:

• You have great critical analysis skills 

• You want to develop your understanding of the legal system and would like to pursue a legal career 

• You have excellent essay-writing skills and the ability to produce a balanced argument

What Does "Hard" Mean When Choosing A Levels?

When people talk about a subject being "hard," they often mean different things. Understanding what kind of hard a subject is helps you assess whether it's the right choice for you.

Personal Interests & Strengths

When it comes to choosing your A Level subjects, you should consider your personal interests and academic strengths first. It may be tempting to pick subjects your friends are taking or choose ‘easy’ A Levels to lighten your workload, but this isn’t the best approach.

Choosing subjects that you have a genuine interest in and feel you excel in is the best way to approach this decision. 

Ask yourself these questions to get an idea of your personal strengths and skills:

• Which subjects do I enjoy studying, and which subjects am I the best at?

• What type of assessments do I prefer? 

• Am I better at written exams, practical exams or coursework?

• Is this subject suited to my learning style?

Subject Content and Prior Knowledge

Familiarity with the core ideas in a subject makes a big difference to its perceived difficulty at A level.

If you studied a topic in depth at GCSE and found it engaging, the A level transition will probably feel more manageable. 

Students who found GCSE Chemistry confusing, for example, will almost always find A level Chemistry harder than students who found the GCSE content doable.

Some subjects, like Further Maths and French, build very directly on GCSE content. Others, like Psychology or Sociology, introduce mostly new material. This means your prior knowledge matters less, but the learning curve at the start is steeper.

Assessment Style

Different A level subjects test you in very different ways. Understanding how a subject is assessed helps you decide whether it suits your strengths.

Exam-heavy subjects place all the weight on performance under timed conditions. Strong exam technique, time management, and the ability to recall information accurately under pressure are essential.

Coursework-heavy or mixed subjects include an internally assessed component, such as the Computing programming project or the Biology practical endorsement. These give you more control over your grade, but also require sustained effort across the full two years rather than just in the final exam period.

Workload and Time Commitment

The volume of independent work required varies significantly between A level subjects.

Science A levels tend to have the heaviest content loads. Revision requires not just memorising facts, but understanding and being able to apply complex processes.

History and Modern Languages require extensive reading and writing practice throughout the course.

Computing requires regular programming practice — skills that genuinely decay without consistent use.

Maths rewards regular, frequent practice more than extended cramming sessions. Students who complete problem sets consistently throughout the two years tend to outperform those who revise intensively only before exams.

When making your choice, consider how each subject's workload will interact with your other subjects. 

How to Choose the Right A Levels for You

Ranking subjects by difficulty can be useful, but it shouldn't be the main driver of your choices.

The most important question is: which subjects give you the best chance of achieving the grades you need for the path you want to take?

Start by researching the entry requirements for the university courses or careers you're considering. Some degree programmes have specific A level requirements. For example, Medicine almost always requires Chemistry. Others are more flexible.

Then consider which subjects you genuinely enjoy and have performed well in at GCSE. A strong GCSE grade in a subject is a reasonable (though not perfect) predictor of how you'll fare at A level.

Think about assessment style. If you perform much better with coursework than with closed-book exams, a heavily exam-based subject combination may work against you.

Finally, talk to your teachers. They have seen many students make this decision before, and can often give you honest, realistic guidance on whether a particular subject is likely to suit you.

For more detailed guidance, have a read of our articles: 

• How to choose your A levels 

• How to Transition from GCSEs to A Levels

• What A Levels Should I Take?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which A Level Subjects Have The Fewest Top Grades?

Based on 2025 results data from Ofqual (opens in a new tab), the A level subjects with the lowest proportion of A*/A grades were:

• English Language: 12.8% A*/A

• Media/Film/TV Studies: 14.7 A*/A

• English Language and Literature: 14.8% A*/A

The appearance of Media/Film/TV Studies may be a surprise to some. Just because it may be easier to pass the subject doesn’t mean it’s easier to achieve the highest grade possible.

Will Choosing Harder A Levels Impact My University Application?

Choosing more challenging A Levels can have an impact on your university application, but it depends on the course and the university. Some universities may have a list of preferred A Level subjects for specific degrees. This is the case with degrees such as Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Science, Engineering and Physics.

The key is to select A Levels that align with the degree you're interested in and that provide you with a solid foundation for further study or a career. 

Which A Level Combination is Right For You?

The "hardest" A level isn't objective. It depends on who you are, what you're good at, and what you enjoy.

Physics may statistically be the hardest A level to pass. But a student who loves solving problems and has strong maths skills may find it far more rewarding - and far more manageable - than a student who picks it purely because it looks impressive on a university application.

The data in this article gives you a useful, honest starting point. But the most important next step is to reflect on your own strengths, interests, and goals before choosing your A Level combinations.

And when you’re finally in the throes of revision, Save My Exams has all the A Level study resources you need in one place for you to smash your grades.

References

Ofqual - A Level Results Data 2026 (opens in a new tab)