Cambridge A-Levels Requirements & Prerequisites
Everything you need to know before registering for the Cambridge A-Levels, eligibility, cost, format, and what to expect on exam day.
Cost
$100-$200 per subject
Provider
Cambridge Assessment
Validity
Lifetime
Available
Global (130 countries)
Education
Check official exam requirements
Experience
1-3 years of hands-on experience recommended
Specific Requirements
- There are no formal entry requirements set by Cambridge. No minimum age, prior qualification or nationality condition applies to entering Cambridge International AS or A Level.
- Cambridge recommends prior study equivalent to Cambridge IGCSE or O Level in the same or a related subject, and some A Level syllabuses state a recommended prior grade.
- Cambridge IGCSE Additional Mathematics 0606 is designed for candidates on course for grade A*, A or B in IGCSE Mathematics, and is a common bridge into A Level Mathematics 9709.
- You must be entered through a school or authorised Cambridge centre. Exams officers submit entries and choose the entry option code that fixes your component combination.
- Private candidates can enter, though syllabuses with internally assessed or laboratory practical components are harder to take privately and some centres do not offer them.
- Cambridge designs about 180 guided learning hours into each AS Level and about 360 into each full A Level, which is a design figure rather than a rule.
- For the staged route, a valid carry-forward entry is required to bring an AS Level result into a later A Level series, under the rules and time limits in the Cambridge Handbook.
- Access arrangements, including modified question papers, must be agreed with Cambridge before the exam and must reflect the candidate's normal way of working at school.
Number of Questions
Varies by syllabus. Biology 9700 A Level carries 270 raw marks: 40 in Paper 1, 60 in Paper 2, 40 in Paper 3, 100 in Paper 4 and 30 in Paper 5. Mathematics 9709 Paper 1 carries 75 marks across 10 to 12 structured questions, Paper 3 carries 75 marks across 9 to 11 questions, and Papers 4 and 5 carry 50 marks across 6 to 8 questions each.
Duration
Varies by syllabus and route. The worked example used throughout this guide is Cambridge International A Level Biology 9700, which totals 465 minutes across five papers: Paper 1 at 1 hour 15 minutes, Paper 2 at 1 hour 15 minutes, Paper 3 at 2 hours, Paper 4 at 2 hours and Paper 5 at 1 hour 15 minutes. A Level Mathematics 9709 taken as Papers 1, 3, 4 and 5 totals 370 minutes: 1 hour 50 minutes each for Papers 1 and 3 and 1 hour 15 minutes each for Papers 4 and 5.
Question Format
Four-option multiple choice, used in Biology 9700 Paper 1 for 40 marks testing assessment objectives AO1 and AO2, Structured questions of varied length, the dominant format across mathematics, sciences and social sciences, Advanced practical skills papers sat in a laboratory, such as Biology 9700 Paper 3 at 2 hours and 40 marks, Planning, analysis and evaluation papers on experimental design, such as Biology 9700 Paper 5, where the context may fall outside the syllabus content, Extended essays and source-based responses in History, Literature in English and Sociology, Speaking and listening components in language syllabuses, Coursework and research components, including the research report in Global Perspectives and Research 9239
Passing Requirement
No fixed pass mark. Thresholds are reset every series and differ by component combination. In June 2026, Cambridge International A Level Mathematics 9709 taken as components 11, 31, 41 and 51 required 223 of 250 weighted marks for A*, 197 for A, 163 for B, 128 for C, 94 for D and 60 for E. Taken as components 13, 33, 43 and 53 in the same series it required 231 for A* and 149 for C. AS Level components 11 and 21 required 99 of 125 for grade a and 30 for grade e.
How It Is Delivered
Paper-based written exams sat under supervision at a registered Cambridge centre, plus laboratory practicals and live speaking tests where the syllabus requires them. Every Cambridge school is allocated to one of six administrative zones, each with its own timetable and paper variants. Cambridge began offering digital exams to early adopter schools in 2026.
Languages Offered
English. Cambridge states that its AS and A Level syllabuses and assessment materials are available in English only, apart from the language subjects themselves, which are assessed in the target language.
Visit the official Cambridge Assessment certification page
Create an account and select your exam
Choose a test center or online proctoring option
Pay the exam fee and schedule your date
Score Scale
A Level: A*, A, B, C, D, E, with Ungraded below E. AS Level: a, b, c, d, e, with Ungraded below e. Statements of results in many countries add a percentage uniform mark on a common 20 to 100 scale, provided for AS and A Level, IGCSE and O Level but not for IGCSE 9 to 1.
Score You Need
No fixed pass mark. Thresholds are reset every series and differ by component combination. In June 2026, Cambridge International A Level Mathematics 9709 taken as components 11, 31, 41 and 51 required 223 of 250 weighted marks for A*, 197 for A, 163 for B, 128 for C, 94 for D and 60 for E. Taken as components 13, 33, 43 and 53 in the same series it required 231 for A* and 149 for C. AS Level components 11 and 21 required 99 of 125 for grade a and 30 for grade e.
How It Is Calculated
Cambridge sets a threshold for each component first, using statistical evidence and professional judgement, then applies the published weighting to each component and combines them into a syllabus threshold. Grade A* does not exist at component level. Where an entry option offers more than one route to a grade, the candidate is awarded the best grade available from the components actually taken. There is no deduction for wrong answers, and an A Level candidate who misses grade E can still receive an AS Level grade.
When You Get Results
There is no unofficial or same-day score. June series AS and A Level results were released on 11 August 2026 at 06:00 BST, one week before IGCSE and O Level results. November series results are issued in January and March series results, available only to schools in India, in May. Certificates follow the statement of results by several weeks.
In raw terms: In June 2026, an A* in A Level Mathematics 9709 on the 11, 31, 41, 51 route meant 223 of 250 weighted marks, or 89.2 per cent, a C meant 128 of 250, or 51.2 per cent, and an E meant 60 of 250, or 24 per cent. On the 13, 33, 43, 53 route in the same series an A* meant 231 of 250, or 92.4 per cent, which shows how far the bar moves between variants.
- Two forms of valid ID (one government-issued with photo)
- Appointment confirmation email
- For online proctoring: webcam, microphone, clean desk, stable internet
What are the prerequisites for the Cambridge A-Levels?
There are no formal entry requirements set by Cambridge. No minimum age, prior qualification or nationality condition applies to entering Cambridge International AS or A Level.. Cambridge recommends prior study equivalent to Cambridge IGCSE or O Level in the same or a related subject, and some A Level syllabuses state a recommended prior grade.. Cambridge IGCSE Additional Mathematics 0606 is designed for candidates on course for grade A*, A or B in IGCSE Mathematics, and is a common bridge into A Level Mathematics 9709.. You must be entered through a school or authorised Cambridge centre. Exams officers submit entries and choose the entry option code that fixes your component combination.. Private candidates can enter, though syllabuses with internally assessed or laboratory practical components are harder to take privately and some centres do not offer them.. Cambridge designs about 180 guided learning hours into each AS Level and about 360 into each full A Level, which is a design figure rather than a rule.. For the staged route, a valid carry-forward entry is required to bring an AS Level result into a later A Level series, under the rules and time limits in the Cambridge Handbook.. Access arrangements, including modified question papers, must be agreed with Cambridge before the exam and must reflect the candidate's normal way of working at school..
How much does the Cambridge A-Levels cost?
The Cambridge A-Levels exam costs $100-$200 per subject. This includes the exam fee only, study materials are additional.
How do I register for the Cambridge A-Levels?
Visit the official Cambridge Assessment certification page → Create an account and select your exam → Choose a test center or online proctoring option → Pay the exam fee and schedule your date
What should I bring to the Cambridge A-Levels?
Two forms of valid ID (one government-issued with photo). Appointment confirmation email. For online proctoring: webcam, microphone, clean desk, stable internet.
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