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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86 responses
Hey, isn’t there government & politics as an option?
Hi Liz,
These are all the available syllabus under AS & A-Level programme. If you wish you to request for new subjects, please kindly contact CAIE directly. You may reach them through their website: https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/. Thank you.
Hi,
This is for my friend. It’s regarding AS level exam 2020. Is it possible to write Physics and Chem in May/June and Math in Oct/Nov. Please reply as as soon as possible .
Hi Saritha,
Yes, your friend may take Physics and Chemistry during the June exam series and Mathematics on November exam series. We do suggest that they only register when they’re ready. Furthermore, they may also get the final confirmation from their school, if they are schooled students. Alternatively, they may register as private candidates.
Please kindly find out the key dates here: https://www.skolatis.com/exam-registration-dates/
Im in Zimbabwe and would like to know the benefits of A level over AS or vice versa if any. Does one need to write both or you can pick either? . Which one is needed for admission into uni’s?.Kindly assist so i make an informed decision.
Thank you
Faith
Hello Faith,
There are different assessment options to gain Cambridge International AS & A Level qualifications:
1. Take the Cambridge International AS Level only. The syllabus content is half a Cambridge International A Level.
AS Level syllabuses are designed on the assumption that students have about 180 guided learning hours per subject over the duration of the course (normally one year).
2. Take a ‘staged’ assessment route (A2) – take the Cambridge International AS Level in one examination series and complete the final Cambridge International A Level at a subsequent series.
AS Level marks can be carried forward to a full A Level twice within a 13 month period.
3. Take all papers of the Cambridge International A Level course in the same examination session, usually at the end of the course.
The whole A Level syllabuses are designed on the assumption that students have approximately 360 guided learning hours per subject over the duration of the course (normally two years). For private candidate, the hours could be different depending on the number of hours spent on studying.
Students typically study four subjects at AS-level and three subjects at A-level. The standard admission requirement for UK universities is three A-level subjects.
If you have further questions, do not hesitate to write again.
I have a really burning question.
If my students sat for AS Business 9609 in November 2019 and scored an F or an E…..and now in 2020, they would like to sit for A2 (paper 3 ) this Nov 2020. Is that permitted? What if they choose to write A2(paper 3 ) in May/June 2021?
Hello Samson,
Please kindly read CAIE’s statement regarding carrying forward marks: https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/news/news-details/view/update-for-cambridge-schools-on-june-2020-series-22-april-2020/
Furthermore, we suggest that you write to CAIE directly. You may reach them through their website: https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/
Hi,I am kamala krishnan from India.I am getting ready to face my AS level examination in the May/June series 2020.I have selected to write accounting,business,economics,english general paper and IT.We do not have any teachers for accounting and business.Do you have any websites which gives useful learning skills that can help in my exams ?.It will be very useful for all the our classmates in my class.Please considerthe above message.Waiting for your reply
Hi Kamala,
We suggest that you download the Examiner’s Report here: https://www.skolatis.com/as-a-level-past-exam-papers/. It will give you additional insights on how to structure your response properly and learn from the common mistakes students make.
Here are some tips for you:
Accounting:
– You should show your workings for computational questions. You will not get credit for partially correct answers if workings are not shown.
– You should make sure that you provide sufficient development to your answers. One or two word answers will seldom suffice.
– You must develop greater analytical skills and learn to extract information from scenarios to make your answers relevant.
– Marks are frequently awarded for the correct entry, this being the value with correct terminology/narrative. This applies across the different statements such as ledger accounts and financial statements.
Business:
– Read and interpret questions carefully before commencing an answer.
– Spend an appropriate amount of time determining which essay question to select in Section B of the paper. Effective responses require sound understanding of the business concepts associated with particular questions.
– Application marks in section B can only be awarded if candidates address the particular context given in a question. This can be specific such as examples. You must do more than merely repeat words that are in the question as this will not count as application and will limit the number of marks awarded.
– Analysis marks in Section B are awarded when candidates have clearly gone beyond making a brief statement or description and have assessed the impact of any point made.
– In order to access evaluation marks candidates need to make a critical comment or counter argument rather than a summary that repeats what they have already said. Evaluation occurs when a judgement has been made on the evidence presented.
Hope this helps.
Hi There
I have 2 questions:
Firstly, is it mandatory to do IGCSE before doing AS for any subjects?
The second is, if I fail a subject at IGCSE, will I be excluded from being allowed to write the AS exam for that subject?
Thank you.
Hi Safron,
To answer your questions,
First, you must take IGCSE or equivalent qualification (e.g. O-level) before you can proceed to AS or A-Levels.
Second, the subjects you take in IGCSE is affecting what subjects you could take in AS or A Level. We strongly suggest you visit the colleges/school’s website to find out what are the minimum grades and subjects that you need in order to get an admission into their AS or A Level courses.