Normally a good place to start when grading a piece of work is the grade descriptor in the subject specification. Unfortunately there is no such descriptor for the A* grade. There is only a description of performance on the A/B borderline. This has left many to wonder what exactly is needed to achieve an A*. The aim of this piece is to help you achieve marks for essays that will put you in contention for an A*.
The examination boards award an A* at A-level (not AS) if a candidate achieves at least 320 out of 400 UMS and 90% UMS in the A2 modules. It is possible therefore for a candidate to gain an A* having achieved just a Bgrade at AS. Table 1 shows some possible combinations. (All figures are UMS.)
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