Can I Retake A-levels for More UCAS Points?

Quick answer: Yes — you can retake A-levels for more UCAS points, and each grade you lift is worth exactly +8 points (C→B, B→A and A→A* all add 8). A full A-level is worth up to 56.

If your total isn't where you wanted it, a retake is a normal, sensible move — not a failing one. Plenty of students resit to lift a grade and clear an offer, and the points are real and predictable. This page walks you through exactly what each grade jump is worth, how to decide whether to retake one subject or all three, when the 2026 resits happen, and how to weigh a retake against faster routes. The first thing to do is calculate your current total so you know your starting point, and if the system itself is new to you, here's what UCAS points are.

The short answer: yes, and here's what each grade is worth

Yes — you can retake A-levels to gain more UCAS points. Each grade you lift adds points: C→B, B→A and A→A* are each worth +8 points. A full A-level is worth up to 56. A realistic retake can move you into range.

Here's the honest part. The points come per grade, not automatically — you earn them by actually lifting the grade in the resit. But the maths is wonderfully clear: the A-level scale rises in even steps of 8, so every single grade you improve is worth the same +8, whether you're going from D to C or from A to A*. That makes it easy to predict the payoff before you commit. If you want the full picture of how UCAS points are calculated, or you'd just like the clean A-level points table, both are one click away.

How many UCAS points a retake adds

Every A-level grade maps to a fixed number of Tariff points, and the gaps between them are all the same size — 8 points each.

So the points gained per jump look like this:

• E → D: +8
• D → C: +8
• C → B: +8
• B → A: +8
• A → A*: +8

A worked example makes it concrete. Say you currently hold BBC = 112 points. If you retake two subjects and lift them to ABB = 128 points, that's +16 points — two grade jumps of 8 each. One single-grade improvement, like BBC to BBB, would add 8 and take you to 120. You can check exactly what those totals are worth on our pages for what ABB is worth and what AAA is worth, and you can model any combination yourself in the A-level points calculator. The key idea: count the grades you realistically expect to lift, multiply by 8, and you have your new total before you even sit the exam.

Should you retake one subject or all three?

You don't have to redo everything. The right size of retake depends on how big a gap you're trying to close.

• One subject — a focused, lower-cost lift. Resitting a single A-level often adds just enough to clear an offer, and it's far less work than a full year. Target the subject where you were closest to the next grade up, because that's where +8 is most achievable.
• Two subjects — a middle path that can add up to +16 and shift you into a noticeably higher bracket.
• All three — the biggest jump, but it usually means a full extra year. Worth it if you need a large lift or specific grades for a competitive course.

Before you decide, check what your course actually wants. Some courses care about your total points; others ask for specific grades in named subjects. Work out how many points you need for your target courses, and remember that not every university uses the Tariff the same way — here's whether all universities use UCAS points. Matching your retake to the real requirement saves you from over- or under-doing it.

How and when to retake A-levels in 2026

You re-sit the full A-level, not single units — modular resits no longer exist, so a retake means taking the whole subject's exams again. There are three common routes:

• Your current school or sixth form, if they'll host you for another year or as an external candidate.
• A sixth-form or further-education college that takes resit students.
• As a private candidate at an approved exam centre, which suits anyone studying independently.

On timing: most A-level retakes sit in the summer exam series, alongside everyone else's exams, with results released on results day, Thursday 13 August 2026. That means a retake typically adds roughly a year to your timeline before the new grade lands on UCAS. If you want the bigger picture of how the qualification works, see A-levels explained; for the day itself, read our results day 2026 guide; and to plan the whole cycle around it, keep UCAS key dates 2026 handy.

Is retaking worth it — or is there a faster route?

A retake is a solid choice, but it costs time — so it's worth weighing against quicker options before you commit a year. Often a lower total is already in range somewhere, and you may not need to retake at all.

• Add an EPQ — an Extended Project Qualification is worth up to +28 points at A*, and many students complete one alongside other study. See EPQ points.
• Apply through Clearing this year — plenty of good courses have places for your current total. Start with our Clearing 2026 guide.
• Consider a foundation route — a foundation year can be a realistic on-ramp to a degree without a full A-level retake.

None of these is a guaranteed shortcut, and a retake can still be the best move if a specific grade is what stands between you and your course. The honest answer is: it depends on your gap and your timeline. For a fuller menu of options see how to get more UCAS points, and if your total fell short this year, what to do if you don't have enough is a calm next read.

Recalculate your new total and decide

Once you know which grades you're aiming to lift, turn it into a number and a plan:

1. Estimate your retake grades — be realistic about the subjects where +8 is genuinely within reach.
2. Calculate the new total — add the new points and see your projected score using the calculator (or model future grades with the predicted grades calculator).
3. Check which courses now match — see what you can study with your points at the higher total.

Prep support for your retake year

The following is supplementary support, separate from the points guidance above.

If you do decide to resit, the right preparation makes the +8 far more reachable. Structured revision courses, intensive subject sessions and point-boosting options can help you target the exact grade you're chasing, and there are everyday savings that make a retake year lighter on the budget.

Frequently asked questions

If results didn't go to plan, our guide on missing your grades and the explainer on UCAS Adjustment are good companions to the answers below.

Can you retake A-levels to get more UCAS points?

Yes — retaking A-levels can raise your UCAS points. Each grade you improve adds points: lifting C to B, B to A, or A to A* is each worth +8 points. A full A-level is worth up to 56 points at A*.

How many UCAS points do you gain by improving one A-level grade?

You gain +8 UCAS points for each grade you lift. For example, B (40) to A (48) adds 8 points, and A (48) to A* (56) adds another 8. Improving two grades — say BBC to ABB — adds 16 points, from 112 to 128.

Is it worth retaking A-levels for UCAS points?

It can be, if a higher grade puts you in range for your course. A retake takes time, so weigh it against faster routes like adding an EPQ, applying through Clearing, or a foundation year. Calculate your target total first, then decide.

Can I retake just one A-level?

Yes — you can retake a single A-level, which is a focused, lower-cost way to lift your total. Target the subject closest to the next grade. Many offers can be cleared by improving just one grade, so check exactly how many points you need.

When can I retake A-levels in 2026?

Most A-level retakes sit in the summer exam series, with results released on results day, 13 August 2026. You re-sit the full subject rather than single units, either at your school or college or as a private candidate at an approved exam centre.

Do universities accept retaken A-levels?

Many do, and your retake grades count for the full UCAS Tariff points. Some selective courses, including Medicine and most Russell Group offers, ask for specific grades or have views on resits, so always check your course's policy before you commit.