Overview
For Cambridge Cambridge past paper revision, your Cambridge AS results are a crucial checkpoint, not a final destination. They provide the data you need to make strategic decisions for your A2 year, helping you decide which subjects to continue, whether to resit a component, or how to best position yourself for your target A Level grade. A proactive and informed plan made now is the foundation for success next summer.
Analyse Your Results Component by Component
For Cambridge Cambridge past paper revision, before making any big decisions, look beyond the overall letter grade. Your statement of results should show your Uniform Mark (UMS) or Percentage Uniform Mark (PUM) for the AS Level, and your school can provide the raw marks for each component paper (e.g., Paper 1 Multiple Choice, Paper 2 Structured Questions). This detailed breakdown is your diagnostic tool; it tells you precisely where you excelled and where you struggled, revealing if your weakness is in a specific skill, topic, or exam format. This analysis is the essential first step to a smart A2 strategy.
Understand Your Carry-Forward Options
For Cambridge Cambridge past paper revision, for most students, the AS Level result can be 'carried forward' to count as 50% of a full A Level qualification. However, this is not automatic and depends entirely on the entry option your school has chosen for you. Some entry routes combine AS and A2 from the start, while others treat AS as a standalone qualification. It is absolutely critical that you do not make assumptions; speak directly to your school's exams officer to get definitive confirmation on your specific situation and what carry-forward possibilities are available to you.
Decide Whether to Resit or Continue
For Cambridge Cambridge past paper revision, with your component analysis and carry-forward rules confirmed, you can choose your path. If you are happy with your AS grade and it provides a strong foundation, you can carry it forward and focus all your energy on the A2 units. If a single, poor paper performance dragged down an otherwise good result, resitting that specific AS component could be a highly effective way to boost your overall A Level potential. Conversely, if the result is disappointing and reflects a lack of interest, now is the time to discuss with your school whether continuing that subject to A2 is the right choice.
Calculate Your Path to Your Target Grade
For Cambridge Cambridge past paper revision, remember that your final A Level grade is an aggregate of your performance across all components. A weaker AS grade means you will need to achieve higher marks in your A2 components to reach your target overall grade. This is especially true for the top A* grade, which not only requires an overall A but also a very high mark on the A2 components specifically. Use our [grade calculator](/tools/grade-boundary-calculator) to model different scenarios and understand exactly what performance will be required of you in the A2 exams to achieve your goal.
Use the Summer to Get Ahead
For Cambridge Cambridge past paper revision, the time between receiving your results and starting your A2 course is invaluable. Use the component analysis from your AS results to identify your weakest topics and spend time consolidating your understanding of them—A2 content builds directly on this foundation. Once you feel secure, start looking ahead at the first few topics of your A2 syllabus. You can find excellent overviews and resources in our [free A Level courses](/courses), and turning up in your first class already familiar with the content will give you a significant head start and a huge confidence boost.
Frequently asked questions
This section covers Frequently asked questions — ranked by what Cambridge examiners return to most often in past papers.
Can I still get an A* at A Level if I got a B at AS?
Yes, it is often mathematically possible, but it will be a significant challenge. The A* grade is awarded to candidates who achieve an overall A grade (typically 80% PUM or higher) and also achieve a very high standard (e.g., 90% PUM) on the A2 components alone. This means you must perform exceptionally well in your A2 year to pull your aggregate score up. Confirm the exact requirements for your subject with the Cambridge syllabus.
Should I resit my AS exams or just focus on A2?
This is a strategic decision that depends on your specific results and goals. If one component mark is much lower than the others and you are confident you can improve it, a resit can be a great option. However, if your AS grade is solid (e.g., a high B) and you are aiming for an A, it might be more effective to devote all your time and energy to securing outstanding marks in the A2 components. Discuss the trade-offs with your teachers.
How do I know which AS topics I was weakest on?
Your school can provide a breakdown of your component marks, which is the best place to start. If your Paper 2 (structured questions) mark was low, review the paper to see which topics the long-answer questions were on. A powerful exercise is to take a fresh copy of the past paper you sat, complete it under timed conditions, and then mark it yourself against the official mark scheme. This will give you a granular view of where you dropped marks.