What Are ‘Good’ A Level Grades?

As you prepare for or reflect on your A Level results, you might find yourself asking what actually counts as a good grade. It’s a fair question, and the answer isn’t always straightforward. 

For some, “good” means straight As and a place at Oxbridge. For others, it’s getting the grades needed for their chosen university, apprenticeship, or career.

The truth is, “good” depends on your personal goals, your starting point, and where you want to go next. This guide will help you decode A Level grades with clarity and confidence, so you can see what success looks like for you.

What Does “Good” Really Mean at A Level?

It’s tempting to compare your grades to friends, league tables, or national averages. But “good” has more than one definition.

• Academically strong: For highly competitive courses, “good” usually means top grades in the right subjects.

• Solid and reliable: For most university offers, good grades are the ones that meet the entry requirements and give you options.

• Progress and personal achievement: For some, achieving passes despite setbacks or challenges is already a major success.

As with all things, context matters. A student jumping from a grade 4 at GCSE Maths to a C at A Level has made huge progress. Another who has balanced studies with illness, caring responsibilities, or part-time work should measure “good” against their effort and circumstances, not just final numbers.

A Level Grading Scale Explained

Before we break down what different grades mean, let’s recap how A Levels are scored.

• Grades A–E are passes. All of these count as full qualifications and appear on your record.

• A* is the highest grade, awarded for consistently exceptional performance. To earn it, you usually need to score above 80–100% in your papers, depending on the subject.

• U stands for “unclassified”, meaning the result didn’t meet the minimum standard for a pass.

Most students take three A Levels (sometimes four if they’re stretching themselves, or two alongside other qualifications like BTECs). So, instead of looking at single grades in isolation, employers, universities, and training providers look at the combination of grades you achieve.

Grade Benchmarks: What Counts as Good for Different Goals?

The meaning of “good” changes depending on your next step.

For Top Universities and Courses (e.g. Oxbridge, Medicine, Law)

If you’re aiming for Oxbridge or elite courses, A*A*A to AAA is the typical standard. Medicine, Dentistry, and Veterinary Science often require Chemistry and Biology with top grades, while Law, Politics, and Economics favour a mix of essay-based and analytical subjects, all top grades.

Competition is fierce, so beyond grades, universities will look at admissions tests, interviews, and your personal statement. But academically, those A and A* grades are what keep you in the running.

For Most Russell Group and Strong Universities

For many high-ranking universities, AAB to BBB is considered a strong set of grades. With these results, you’ll have access to a wide range of courses across sciences, humanities, and arts. 

Some universities may be flexible with offers, especially if you excel in one subject, but fall short in another.

For Apprenticeships and Employment

Not everyone wants to go to university, and that’s completely valid. Many higher apprenticeships and entry-level jobs require passes between C and E. 

Employers are often more focused on your transferable skills — teamwork, communication, and reliability — than your exact grade breakdown. A Levels show you can work at an advanced academic level, which itself is valuable.

UCAS Points and A Level Grades

UCAS Tariff points (opens in a new tab) translate your grades into numbers. Universities sometimes use these to make offers.

For example, if a university asks for 120 points, you could get there with:

• Three Bs (3 × 40 = 120), or

• Two As and a C (48 + 48 + 32 = 128).

This gives you some flexibility, as one weaker subject can be balanced by strength in another.

How Common Are Different A Level Grades?

Looking at national statistics helps you see where your grades sit. According to The Guardian’s 2025 A Level results reporting (opens in a new tab):

• 28.3% of entries were awarded an A or A* grade

• 9.4% gained A*

So if you’re getting Bs and Cs, you’re sitting in line with the majority of students across the country. If you’re getting As, you’re in the top quarter nationally.

What If You Don’t Get the Grades You Wanted?

Not hitting your target isn’t the end, it just means rethinking your route. Many students change paths on results day and still achieve their goals.

Use UCAS Clearing

UCAS Clearing is a system that matches unfilled university places with students looking for options. It opens in July and runs until October. Even competitive universities list courses through Clearing, so it’s worth checking if your results aren’t quite what you hoped for.

Consider Resits or Alternative Pathways

If your heart is set on a particular course, you can retake your A Levels, either full-time, part-time, or online. Another option is a foundation year, designed to bridge gaps in your grades before progressing to a degree. Or you could look at apprenticeships, which combine paid work with training.

Remember: one exam season doesn’t decide your whole future. Many successful people didn’t get their dream grades first time around, the main thing is that you keep a positive, proactive attitude, and an open mind.

How to Set Realistic but Ambitious Grade Goals

Good grades don’t just happen, they’re built with a clear plan. Setting the right goals means aiming high without overwhelming yourself.

• Know your baseline. Start by working out where you currently stand. Look at your mock results, predicted grades, and past paper scores. These give you an honest picture of your strengths and weaknesses, and a starting point to measure progress from.

• Set stretch targets. Ambitious goals keep you motivated, but they need to be realistic. If you’re consistently achieving Bs, push for an A. If you’re sitting at a D, aim for a C. Breaking progress into smaller, achievable steps helps you keep momentum and avoids the frustration of aiming too far, too fast.

• Track progress carefully. Success comes from consistency. Regularly review past papers, test yourself under timed conditions, and focus on improving weaker topics. Ask teachers for specific feedback so you can refine your technique and see tangible improvements over time.

• Balance ambition with well-being. Grades are important, but so is your health. Exhaustion will hold you back more than it will help you. Build in time for breaks, exercise, and enough sleep to keep your energy levels high and your mind sharp.

Think of your goals as a compass, not a cage. They should give you direction and purpose, guiding your effort, while leaving room for flexibility if circumstances change. That way, you’re always moving forward, without feeling trapped by pressure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What A Level grades do I need for university?

Entry requirements for universities vary widely. Some universities ask for AAA, others may accept passes. Most will want at least two full A Levels, sometimes with additional qualifications like BTECs.

Can I get a job with D or E grades at A Level?

Yes, you can get a job with D or E grades at A Level. Many employers recruit school leavers based on skills, not just grades. Passing A Levels demonstrates resilience and the ability to handle advanced study.

What grades are needed for Russell Group universities?

For Russel Group universities, most courses ask for AAB–AAA, but there are exceptions. Always check the course page for specifics.

Final Thoughts

“What are good A Level grades?” doesn’t have one answer. For some, it’s the As and A*s that lead to elite universities. For others, it’s a solid set of Bs that open up exciting degree choices. And for many, it’s simply passing and moving into further education, an apprenticeship, a job, or a training programme.

Your definition of “good” should fit your ambitions. Be ambitious, but also realistic; use your grades as a stepping stone, not a finish line. There are many paths to success, and your A Levels are just the start of the journey.

For support in your studies, explore Save My Exams’ A Level revision resources where you’ll find revision notes, flashcards, past papers and more, designed by our team of teachers and examiners.

References

• Infographics: Level 3 and A level results 2025 (accessible version) - (opens in a new tab)GOV.UK (opens in a new tab)

• Record proportion of A-level students get top grades in England (opens in a new tab)

• UCAS Tariff Points - what are they and how do they work? (opens in a new tab)