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IB Higher Level (HL), grade
6
- UCAS tariff points
- 48
- A-level with the same UCAS points
- A-level A
- US letter grade (approximate)
- A
- On a 4.0 GPA scale (approximate)
- 4.0
At a glance
A-level and IB grades by UCAS points
Grades on the same row are worth the same UCAS tariff points. A dash means no grade on that scale lands on that number.
| UCAS points | A-level | IB Higher Level | IB Standard Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 56 | A* | 7 | – |
| 48 | A | 6 | – |
| 40 | B | – | – |
| 32 | C | 5 | – |
| 28 | – | – | 7 |
| 24 | D | 4 | 6 |
| 16 | E | – | 5 |
| 12 | – | 3 | 4 |
| 6 | – | – | 3 |
At a glance
GCSE and IGCSE: 9–1 next to A*–G
England’s GCSEs use 9–1, and many international schools sit IGCSEs graded either way. Here is how the two scales line up, with a rough US equivalent.
| 9–1 grade | A*–G grade | US letter (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | A* (the top of A*) | A+ |
| 8 | A* or a high A | A |
| 7 | A | A- |
| 6 | B | B+ |
| 5 | Between B and C (a "strong pass") | B |
| 4 | C (a "standard pass") | C |
| 3 | D or E | D |
| 2 | E or F | F |
| 1 | F or G | F |
Read this first
What these numbers can and can’t tell you
- Same UCAS points means the same value in the tariff, nothing more. Universities set their own offers, and many ask for specific grades in specific subjects.
- UCAS points cover A-level and IB subject grades. GCSE and IGCSE grades don’t carry tariff points.
- The 9–1 scale was built so that 7 starts where A starts, 4 starts where C starts and 1 starts where G starts. The grades in between are close matches, not exact ones.
- There is no official US conversion for any of these exams. The US letters here follow a common pattern; your school’s profile is what US admissions actually read.
- Working out a US-style GPA from letter grades? Use the GPA calculator.
Sources: the UCAS tariff calculator and the UK government’s guide to 9–1 grades. Check both for the latest figures before you rely on them.
xedu is not affiliated with or endorsed by the International Baccalaureate, Cambridge, Pearson or the College Board.
Questions
Common questions
Is this an official conversion?
Partly. The UCAS points come from the UCAS tariff, and the 9–1 to A*–G matches follow the UK government’s anchor points. The US letter grades are an approximation: no exam board publishes an official US conversion, and US universities read your school’s own grading profile. Use them as a guide, not a promise.
Is an IB Higher Level 7 the same as an A* at A-level?
In UCAS points, yes: both are worth 56. That doesn’t mean every university treats them the same. Many publish separate IB and A-level offers, so check the course page.
How many UCAS points is an IB Standard Level subject worth?
About half the same grade at Higher Level. An SL 7 is worth 28 points, against 56 for an HL 7. Grades 1 and 2 carry no points at either level.
What do grades 4 and 5 mean at GCSE and IGCSE?
Grade 4 is a “standard pass” and starts where the old C started. Grade 5 is a “strong pass”, sitting between a high C and a low B.
Will a US university use this table?
Not directly. Admissions teams read your transcript, your school’s profile and your predicted or final grades. If a form asks you to convert, follow its instructions or ask your school counselor. For the SAT itself, see SAT prep.
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