Percentage Uniform Marks (PUM) Explained: A Comprehensive Guide
Understanding your Cambridge International exam results can often feel like decoding a complex language. While your final letter grade (A*,
Announcement: Cambridge IGCSE, O Level and AS & A Level June 2025 past papers are now available.
Announcement:
Cambridge International Education no longer be an Ofqual-recognised awarding organisation from December 20, 2024.
Cambridge International AS & A Levels are world-class qualifications taken by over 175,000 students in 160 countries every year. Recognised by the world’s best universities, including the Ivy League and Russell Group, they represent the “gold standard” of international pre-university education.
In this guide, we break down everything from the modular structure and grading thresholds to the specific strategies required to secure an A*.
The Cambridge International A Level (Advanced Level) is a two-year course of study, while the AS Level (Advanced Subsidiary Level) typically represents the first year of that journey.
The AS Level is a qualification in its own right. Many students take 4 subjects at the AS Level to maintain breadth before narrowing down to 3 subjects for the full A Level in their final year. It is worth exactly 50% of the total marks of a full A Level.
The A2 refers to the second year of the A Level syllabus. It is generally more intellectually demanding, requiring students to synthesize information and apply theories to complex, unseen scenarios. You cannot take the A2 alone; it must be combined with your AS marks to form a full A Level grade.
One of the most significant advantages of the Cambridge system is the flexibility in how you are assessed. Unlike some national curriculums, Cambridge allows you to choose a path that suits your stress tolerance and academic strengths.
You take the AS Level in one exam series (e.g., May/June of Year 12) and the A2 in a later series (e.g., May/June of Year 13).
You take all papers (both AS and A2 components) in the same exam session at the end of the course.
You take the AS Level and stop there. This is common for subjects a student is interested in but doesn’t intend to pursue at the university level.
Many students are unaware that they can earn a prestigious Group Award alongside their individual A Level certificates. This is known as the Cambridge AICE Diploma (Advanced International Certificate of Education).
The AICE Diploma is highly valued by universities (especially in the US, where it can lead to significant college credit) because it proves a student has a broad, balanced education across multiple disciplines.
To earn the diploma, you must achieve a minimum of 7 credits (where an AS Level = 1 credit and an A Level = 2 credits) across four mandatory groups:
A common mistake students make is assuming the Diploma is awarded automatically. It is not.
Cambridge grading is rigorous. It is important to note that the grading scale for AS Level differs slightly from the full A Level.
| Qualification | Possible Grades |
| Full A Level | A*, A, B, C, D, E |
| AS Level | a, b, c, d, e |
*Why is there no A at AS Level?**
The A* grade was introduced to help top universities differentiate between the very best candidates. It is awarded based on a student achieving a high cumulative score across both AS and A2, with particularly strong performance in the A2 components. Therefore, it is impossible to earn an A* halfway through the course.
With over 55 subjects available, students often struggle to choose the right combination. Universities generally prefer “facilitating subjects” that demonstrate high-level analytical skills.
Below are the Subject Groups for the 55 subjects:
Choosing between Cambridge and other boards like Pearson Edexcel is a significant decision. Both are respected globally, but they offer very different academic experiences.
Assessment Style (Linear vs. Modular): The biggest difference is that Edexcel allows for a modular approach. This means you can take individual units (exams) at different times and retake a single unit if you underperform. Cambridge is primarily linear or staged, meaning you must sit all components of a level (AS or A2) together.
Syllabus Breadth: Edexcel’s modular structure often allows for a broader range of topics to be covered across its units. For instance, students heading into Math-heavy university degrees (like Engineering or Physics) often find that Edexcel’s specific modules provide a broader foundation in areas like Linear Algebra or Mechanics.
Depth and Rigor: Cambridge syllabi are designed for “Deep Learning.” While the volume of topics may be more focused than some modular boards, the questions often require a higher level of conceptual synthesis—joining different parts of the syllabus together in a single complex question.
The Verdict: If you prefer a “building block” approach where you test and “bank” your results unit-by-unit, Edexcel may be your preference. If you prefer a structured, two-stage journey (AS then A2) with a focus on deep conceptual mastery, Cambridge is the global leader.
Achieving top grades in Cambridge exams requires a shift from “memorization” to “application.” Examiners want to see that you can use what you know in unfamiliar contexts.
* Ready to ace your exams? Explore our Course Catalog and start your journey to an A* today.
Can I retake my exams to improve my grade?
Yes. You can retake any syllabus to improve your grade. However, because Cambridge is a linear/staged board (not modular like Edexcel), you must retake the entire AS Level or the entire A2 component. You cannot retake a single “Paper” (e.g., just Paper 1) in isolation.
How does the “13-Month Rule” work for carrying forward marks?
If you take your AS Level in June 2024, you can carry those marks forward to complete your A Level in November 2024 or June 2025. After 13 months, the AS marks expire, and you would need to retake the AS components again to get a full A Level.
What is the “Best of Both” rule?
If you retake an AS Level within 13 months of your first attempt, Cambridge will automatically use the higher of your two AS results when calculating your final A Level grade. This “safety net” allows students to aim high without fear of ruining their previous progress.
Is the A* available for AS Level?
No. The highest grade for an AS Level is an ‘a’. The A* is only awarded at the end of the full A Level for students who demonstrate exceptional performance across both years (specifically reaching a high threshold in the A2 components).
How many A Levels do I need for university?
* Read more about AS & A Level frequently asked questions.
The journey to an A* is a marathon, not a sprint. Whether you are struggling with organic chemistry or trying to master macroeconomics, Skolatis is here to help. Simply leave a comment in the comment box below, a friendly Team Skolatis will attend to your query promptly.
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Note: CIE (Cambridge International Examination board) has its name changed to CAIE (Cambridge Assessment International Education) since October 2017.
In October 2023, CAIE updated its name, logo, look, and messaging. Cambridge International Education is the new name of the awarding body of Cambridge University Press & Assessment. This name will be used on materials related to administering exams and awarding qualifications.
Note: All relevant info taken from CIE.
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Arun Joseph
Botswana
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86 responses
Hi, Iam fathima ashfa from Srilanka. I am getting ready to face my AS level examination in the october november series 2019. I have selected to write biology, chemistry, and physics. we do not have any facilities here to do practice for practical test in all three subjects. Do you have any websites which gives useful practical skills that can help in my exams? our school doesn’t have any instruments to carryout the practicals.it will be very useful for all the our children in my class. please consider the above message. waiting for your reply
Hi Fathima,
Here are some tips for you:
As with all exams it is essential that you read practical exam papers very carefully. You must follow the instructions on the paper so that you do the correct experiments and record the correct observations. If the question tells you to record results or observations in a certain place you must record them in that place.
Do not panic if the context of the practical experiment appears unfamiliar. Where appropriate the question paper will tell you exactly what to do and how to do it.
If you find yourself in real difficulty setting up your practical equipment you may ask your supervisor for help. You will only lose one or two marks for this.
For Biology , make clear descriptions of colours and colour changes; refer to ‘blue’, ‘orange’ and ‘purple’ when describing reagents used in biochemical tests. You may want to refer to slight differences, so use words like ‘pale’ and ‘dark’. When drawing slides and photographs, read the question carefully, the drawing may have to be an accurate size e.g. twice the original. Observe details carefully, such as the relative number of chloroplasts in different cells and the thickness of cell walls in different cells in a vascular bundle. Show these accurately on your drawing. When presenting your data and observations, use the space provided, do not make the table too small. Write brief, but informative headings for each column and columns headed with physical quantities should have appropriate SI units. Lastly, data should be recorded in the table in the order in which it is collected – this is because the table is prepared before the data collection.
For Chemistry , make sure you are well practised in handling all of the equations relating to titrations. Being able to convert between cm3 and dm3 is an essential part of this. Make sure you are well practised in the graphical techniques that have been necessary to answer questions on past papers. Get a set of results for each question of this sort and repeat the graphical exercises until your teacher agrees you have them right. Make sure you are well practised in the correct vocabulary for recording observations, e.g. precipitate, slight, dense, soluble, insoluble, excess, gelatinous, and effervescence. If you are asked to record observations do so in as much detail as possible. If a solution is colourless, or a precipitate is white, say so. Don’t just describe it as a “solution” or a “precipitate”. If you have to add one solution to another, looking for observations, add it slowly. You need to notice the difference between an instant or sudden change and a gradual change. If a change is instant or sudden, say so. If a change is gradual, say so. If the change goes through intermediate stages, describe each of these stages.
For Physics , all the raw readings of a particular quantity should be recorded to the same number of decimal places which should in turn be consistent with the precision of the measuring instrument. When drawing your graph, do not forget to label each axis with the appropriate quantity and unit, using the same format for expressing column headings in a table. Choose a scale such that the plotted points occupy at least half the graph grid in both the x and y directions. The x-axis scale should increase positively to the right and the y-axis scale should increase positively upwards. Use a convenient scale such as 1, 2 or 5 units to a 2 cm square as you will then be less likely to make a mistake with the position of your plotted points and it will be easier for you to read off points from your graph if you are calculating the gradient or finding an intercept. Similarly, it is good practice to mark values on at least every other 2 cm square. Show all your working when calculating a gradient. It is helpful to draw the triangle used to calculate the gradient on the graph and to clearly label the coordinates of the vertices (accurate to half a small square). These values can then be used in the gradient calculation. The length of the hypotenuse of the triangle should be greater than half the length of the graph line.
Hope this helps.
How is English AS level carried out? What papers are written for it?
It would be great if you make a section for subject-wise explanations
Hi Tanmay,
By going through syllabus and the past exam papers, you should have an idea on what is required and what is expected. You may download the subject syllabus here: https://www.skolatis.com/cambridge-igcse-subjects-syllabuses/ and the past papers here: https://www.skolatis.com/cambridge-igcse-past-exam-papers/
Thank you for your suggestion. We will send your suggestion for review.
my son will appear in 2020 for math biology physiscs and hemistry paper plz let me know he should follow syllabus for 2019 -2020
Hi Shahid,
If your son is sitting in for his IGCSE in 2020, he has to follow the 2020 syllabus.
Can I continue with IGCSE A level for my 11th Standard in India.Which are some of the best Cambridge A level colleges in INDIA?
Hi Bhushan,
Please locate any registered Cambridge School here: https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/i-want-to/find-a-cambridge-school/
Greetings IGCSE Team,
I wanted to know whether International Baccaulerate Diploma Programme is better for foreign universities or AS/A levels. I’ve heard that AS/A levels are good if you want to study in the UK, but IBDP is better for going to other countries. I’m in a huge confusion whether or not to do my A levels or go with IBDP.
Hello,
A-level and the International Baccalaureate are both eligible qualifications for entry in many foreign universities. Both programmes are considered very carefully on their individual merits and cannot be compared on which is better.
The success rates for students applying with the IB and students applying with A-levels are broadly similar, and that the choice of qualification (as long as it is an eligible qualification as specified on the university?s website) plays no part whatsoever in the selection criteria for the university?s courses. So, choose the course of study which appeals to you the most, and which you feel will give the best preparation for your future studies.
But we do suggest that you check with the university you wish to apply to, and get the confirmation on their entry requirements. Specifically which qualification they would accept: A Level or IB.
i did my AS business and got a E grade but passed and now studing for my A level business but i want to retake the Business AS level ,can i retake at the same time iam taking the A level of the same subject? answer ASAP please
Hi Eyad,
There are two possible options for you:
1. Take all the papers in the same examination session at the end of the course
2. Sit for AS level first and take A2 exams at a subsequent series. Make sure that it is within the 13 month period.
However, we strongly suggest that you discuss this with your school and your parents.
but if i took both at the same time will it be shown as full A level or AS grade separate from A2?ANSWER ASAP PLZ
Hi Eyad,
Kindly address this matter to your school directly as they are responsible in submitting your entry option. Ask them if you will be entered under the staged assessment route or the full A-level course because these two routes have different option code.