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Is an E a pass at A level?

Yes. E is the lowest passing grade at GCE A level and carries 16 UCAS points. Passing the qualification does not necessarily meet a university offer or job requirement.

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A-level grades and UCAS points

A full A-level E carries 16 UCAS Tariff points. The table uses the values in UCAS’s 2026 adviser guide, page 33. Tariff points are a way of comparing qualifications; UCAS explains that universities decide which qualifications they accept. A points value is not a promise of a place.

A-level passing grades A* to E carry 56 to 16 UCAS points; U carries none.

A-level resultQualification outcomeUCAS points

A*

Pass — highest grade

56

A

Pass

48

B

Pass

40

C

Pass

32

D

Pass

24

E

Pass — lowest awarded grade

16

U

Unclassified — not a pass

0

What if the result is AS, or a different UK qualification?

Read the full qualification name on your results statement before using the table. An AS result is not a full A-level result.

AS grade E

E is also the lowest awarded AS grade. AS grades run from A to E, with no A*. An AS E is worth 6 UCAS points, not 16. In England’s reformed qualifications, AS is standalone: its result does not contribute to your final A-level grade. The Ofqual glossary and UCAS adviser tariff table distinguish these awards.

Wales and Northern Ireland

The Qualifications Wales comparison shows the same A*–E A-level scale and A–E AS scale across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. For Wales-approved and Northern Ireland qualifications, AS contributes 40% of the full A level. England-style qualifications designated for use in Wales have standalone AS, so check the actual qualification rather than relying only on where you study.

Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers

These are different qualifications. They use grades A to D or No Award, so do not apply the A-level E rule to them. Use the Scottish qualifications results guidance for that result.

When does an E meet the requirement?

Read every condition in the actual offer or vacancy. UCAS conditional-offer guidance explains that university offers may specify grades or points. The examples below are hypothetical; they illustrate how to read the conditions, not the requirements of named courses or employers.

A grade offer: BBC required, BCE achieved

B, C and E are three A-level passes. However, BCE does not meet the stated BBC grade condition. Passing all three subjects and meeting this offer are different outcomes. Check the university’s decision rather than assuming either acceptance or rejection.

A points offer: 80 points from three accepted A levels

Suppose the offer’s only academic condition is 80 points from three A levels it accepts. CCE gives 32 + 32 + 16 = 80, so it meets that points condition. If the offer also requires B in Chemistry and your Chemistry result is E, the total is still 80 but the Chemistry condition is unmet. All the other offer conditions must also be satisfied.

A job advert: two passes versus a minimum grade

If an advert asks only for two A-level passes, two E grades are two passes. If it asks for C or above in Maths, an E in Maths does not meet that condition. This says nothing about the other selection criteria or whether you will get the job. Ask the employer to clarify wording such as “good A levels” if no grades are given.

What to do if your E is below the result you needed

Work from your results statement and the written conditions, then choose the next action.

  • Match the result to each condition

    List your full qualifications, subjects and grades beside the offer. Separate a required grade in a named subject from an overall grade pattern or tariff total. Include any other stated conditions. This shows exactly what is met and what needs a decision.

  • Check your application decision

    For a university application, check your UCAS application and messages from your choices. If all results are available, you are below the offer and a decision is still pending, UCAS advises contacting the university. It may still accept you or offer another course; only its decision confirms that outcome. Have your applicant details, course and results ready.

  • Discuss alternatives if you have no place

    If neither your firm nor insurance choice gives you a place, look at UCAS’s guidance after exam results and discuss available courses with admissions teams. Clearing depends on eligibility, vacancies and the dates for that cycle. Our 2026 A-level results and Clearing guide gives the 2026 context; use current UCAS dates for another year.

  • Choose between querying the mark and planning another attempt

    If you think the marking may be wrong, speak promptly to your school or exam centre about post-results services and their deadlines, and tell your university choices. Read reviews of marking and appeals for that process. If you are considering a higher grade through another attempt, our A-level resit guide covers arranging a retake. First establish which result your intended next step requires; an E does not by itself mean you need to resit.

Support and clarity

Frequently asked questions

Straight answers to the questions people ask most often.

What percentage do you need for an E at A level?

There is no single raw-mark percentage that defines an E across all A-level subjects and years. Ofqual explains that grade boundaries change to reflect the difficulty of the assessment, and can differ between exam boards. Use the published qualification boundary for your board, subject and exam series, rather than applying a percentage found for a different paper or year.

Can I add AS points to A-level points in the same subject?

Do not add them together. UCAS’s tariff calculator guidance says universities generally count the highest achievement in a subject. For example, AS E followed by full A-level E in that subject should not be counted as 6 + 16 = 22 points; the full A level has a value of 16. Check which qualifications and grades the particular course counts.

Sources and references

Sources and references

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