Is E a fail at A-Level?

No. E is a pass, not a fail. The only failing grade is U (Ungraded), awarded to about 2.2% of entries. An E means you met the minimum standard for the qualification — you just didn't score as highly as most candidates. It's worth 16 UCAS points, which is not nothing.

What can I do with an E grade at A-Level?

Several options: (1) Some universities accept E grades for foundation year or access courses. (2) You can resit the A-Level to improve your grade. (3) An E can count as a third subject alongside two stronger grades — many universities only specify two subjects at a certain grade. (4) Apprenticeships and employment often accept pass grades at A-Level. (5) Some universities accept E grades for less competitive courses, especially if you have a strong personal statement and references.

What percentage is an E grade at A-Level?

An E typically requires around 40% of the total available marks, though this varies by exam board, subject, and paper difficulty. For example, AQA A-Level Psychology in 2024 set the E boundary at roughly 38-42% depending on the paper. The exact boundary is published by each exam board on results day.

How many UCAS points is an E worth?

An E at A-Level is worth 16 UCAS Tariff points. For comparison: A* = 56, A = 48, B = 40, C = 32, D = 24, E = 16. An AS-Level grade E is worth 8 points. Three E grades would give you 48 UCAS points — which is below the typical university minimum of 96-112 points, but enough for some foundation year and access programmes.

Can I get into university with an E?

Yes, but it depends. A single E alongside two higher grades (e.g. B, B, E) is usually fine — most university offers only specify grades for two or three subjects, and an E in a third subject often meets the remaining requirement. An E alone with no other passes won't meet standard entry requirements. Foundation year courses, some access programmes, and less competitive universities may accept a profile with mostly E grades. Check the specific course entry requirements.

Is an E better than a U?

Yes. E is a pass — you get the qualification, 16 UCAS points, and the grade appears on your certificate. U (Ungraded) means you didn't meet the minimum standard and receive no grade, no points, and the subject won't appear as a pass on your certificate.

Should I resit if I got an E?

It depends on your goals. If you need a higher grade for a specific university course, resitting is worth considering — especially if you were close to the D boundary. If your other grades are strong and your university offer doesn't require a specific grade in that subject, an E may be fine. Resits typically take place in the following summer exam series, though some subjects offer autumn resits.

Is E a Pass at A-Level? What an E Grade Means

Q: Is E a pass at A-Level?

Yes. E is the lowest pass grade at A-Level. It is worth 16 UCAS Tariff points and represents the minimum standard required to be awarded the qualification. About 8.9% of A-Level entries were awarded an E in 2025, making it the second-least common pass grade after A*.

Yes — E is a pass at A-Level, not a fail. But what does an E actually get you? Here's what an E grade is worth in UCAS points, whether you can get into university with an E, and what your options are.

Last updated: September 3, 2026 · Written by the Student Toolbox team

The short answer: E is a pass. U is the only fail.

A-Level grades run from A* (highest) to E (lowest pass), with U (Ungraded) as the only failing grade. An E means you met the minimum standard required by the exam board — you passed the qualification. It's worth 16 UCAS Tariff points.

In 2025, about 8.9% of A-Level entries were awarded an E, and 97.8% of entries achieved A* to E (the overall pass rate). Only 2.2% of entries received a U. So an E puts you ahead of about 2 in every 100 candidates — you passed, they didn't.

Grade	Pass or fail?	UCAS points	% of 2025 entries
A*	Pass	56	9.3%
A	Pass	48	18.2%
B	Pass	40	26.4%
C	Pass	32	22.1%
D	Pass	24	12.8%
E	Pass	16	8.9%
U	Fail	0	2.2%

2025 data from Ofqual/JCQ. E is the lowest pass grade and the only one below 10% of entries.

What an E grade actually gets you

An E is worth 16 UCAS points. By itself, that's not enough for most university courses — the typical minimum is 96-112 points from three A-Levels (CCC to BBC). But an E as part of a combination can work:

Your grades	Total UCAS points	What this means
B, B, E	96	Meets the minimum for many university courses (CCC equivalent)
C, C, E	80	Below most standard entry requirements, but possible for foundation years
D, D, E	64	Limited university options — consider foundation year, access course, or resits
E, E, E	48	Below almost all university minimums — consider resits or alternative routes

Can you get into university with an E?

Yes, but it depends on context. Here's how it breaks down:

One E + two higher grades: If your E is in a third subject and your other two grades are strong (B or above), most universities won't care. Many offers only specify two subjects at a certain grade.
Mostly D and E grades: Standard university entry is unlikely, but foundation year courses (Year 0) and access programmes at many universities accept lower grades.
Resitting: You can resit A-Levels to improve your grade. Most resits happen in the following summer, though some exam boards offer autumn resits. If you were close to the D boundary, a resit could make a big difference.
Clearing: On results day, universities with unfilled places may accept lower grades through Clearing. An E in one subject may not block you if you're flexible on course and university.

E vs U: the difference matters

The difference between an E and a U is significant. An E gives you:

16 UCAS points — U gives you 0
A pass on your certificate — U means the subject doesn't appear as a pass
Employability: Most employers who ask for A-Levels want to see passes (A*–E), not fails
Progression: An E keeps doors open for resits, foundation years, and apprenticeships. A U closes them.

What percentage do you need for an E?

An E typically requires around 40% of the total available marks, though this varies by exam board, subject, and paper difficulty. The exact boundary is set by each exam board after the exam series. For example:

AQA A-Level Psychology (2024): E boundary was around 38-42% across papers
Edexcel A-Level Maths (2024): E boundary was around 35-40%
OCR A-Level Biology (2024): E boundary was around 40-45%

The percentages shift each year based on paper difficulty — easier papers have higher boundaries, harder papers have lower ones. What stays constant is the standard: an E in 2026 represents the same level of achievement as an E in 2025.

What to do if you got an E

Check your university offer. Does it specify grades in all three subjects, or just two? If the E is in a subject not named in your offer, it may not matter.
Look at Clearing. Universities with unfilled places may accept you even with an E. UCAS Clearing opens on results day.
Consider a resit. If the E is in a subject you need for your course, a resit may be the best option. Talk to your school or college about resit arrangements.
Explore foundation years. Many universities offer Year 0 programmes that accept lower A-Level grades and lead into the full degree.
Look at apprenticeships. Degree apprenticeships and higher apprenticeships often accept A-Level passes at any grade.

For more on navigating results day, see our guide onwhat to do if your A-Level results are lower than expected. For a full breakdown of all A-Level grades, seeA-Level Grades Explained.