An overview of what you need to know about this year’s A-level exams.
Exam season it truly open us! We recently published a blog on this year’s GCSE exams and now here we are talking about A-levels.
What are A-levels?
A-levels (advanced levels) are qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland that are usually studied for over two years with students getting an AS (advanced subsidiary) levels in Year 12 and A-levels in Year 13. These are studied for at schools, sixth forms and colleges after secondary education, and the qualifications include exams which are graded A*-E.
A-levels can be taken in over 40 different subjects and there are alternative courses which are equivalent to A-levels such as BTECs (vocational courses). Most students take 3 A-level subjects but can take more or less. These qualifications alongside GCSEs are used to support university applications (each university and university course will have its own grade and subject requirements) and can be useful for applying for job roles and apprenticeships. A-level providers may require a specific number of GCSEs at a particular grade, e.g. 5 GCSEs at Grade 9-4. 1, 2
In Scotland, students take ‘Highers’ and ‘Advanced Highers’ instead of A-Levels under the National Qualifications, which are graded A-D. Scotland also has alternative courses for students such as Baccalaureates. 3
Key dates for this year’s A-levels (and AS levels)
Most exams began on 12th May and will finish at the end of June. School, colleges and sixth forms will provide their students with exam timetables, as the dates of exams will vary depending on which exam board is being used (AQA, OCR, Pearson, CCEA, WJEC).
Results day will take place on Thursday 14th August from 8:00AM and Scotland’s results day is on Tuesday 5th August. Students can either pick up their A-level or AS level results from their school/college/sixth form or will be sent an email. (The arrangements will differ at each provider so it’s best to check with them.) If you miss an exam, it’s important to contact your provider ASAP so they can complete a special consideration form to send to the exam board. 4
Clearing and appeals
If a student hasn’t received the grades they needed for a conditional university offer, they can use the UCAS university clearing process. This is designed to help students find a university with spaces. Students can also use the service if they decided to apply for university after the 30th June, achieve higher grades than expected and want to apply to a different university, or they aren’t given any offers they want to accept. Sometimes, a university may still accept a student who didn’t achieve the required grades.
There is also the option to resit exams, these will take place in May/June 2026. Some students might choose to take a gap year to reconsider their options or look at other options such as apprenticeships, if they don’t get into the university of their choice. 4
If you think your grade isn’t right, you can appeal. The first step is to speak to your college/school/sixth form about your concerns so they can contact the exam board on your behalf. If, after the board reviews your exams, you still feel the grade is unfair, you can ask your provider to appeal. The exam board will decide if your grade needs to be corrected at this point. After this, if you are still unhappy, you can request a review from Ofqual (exams regulator). 4
A-level results aren’t everything
We wish the best of luck to all taking their A-levels this month (and their teachers, parents etc.). However, if the grades aren’t what you are hoping for – don’t panic! As mentioned in this blog, there are lots of options available if you don’t achieve what you were looking for, whether it was to get into a university of your choice, or for an apprenticeship. Taking these exams is a huge achievement, whatever the result – and the exams are only one part of the achievements you will have to show from your studies. Your exam marks cannot properly encapsulate all the great things you have learnt and achieved.
