Overview

This article explains how the Best 3 A Levels measure is calculated for students and the whole school, along with worked examples.

Calculation

1. A Best 3 A Levels Point Score is calculated by adding together the points that each student achieves in their best 3 A Levels.
2. The individual Best 3 A Levels Point Score for each student is then added to those of each other student in your school.
3. The resulting total is then divided by the total number of entries (number of students multiplied by three) to give a School Score.

Example

In this example, the outcomes of three students who have been in the same school for two years are used to calculate the Best 3 A Level Point Score for each pupil. These are then totalled and divided by the number of entries to calculate the Best 3 A Levels measure for the school:

• In this example, Pupil A's best 3 A Levels count in the measure.

  Qualification	Size	Year Achieved	Grade	Points
  Single Award A Level	1	2025	A*	60
  Single Award A Level	1	2025	B	40
  Single Award A Level	1	2025	B	40
  			Total	140

  If a pupil had studied a combined A / AS Level, where the size would equate to 1.5, each result is divided by 1.5 to scale the size / points to that of one A Level.

• In this example, Pupil B's Double Award qualification counts as two of the three entries. The best one of the remaining two results is then used in the calculation.

  Qualification	Size	Year Achieved	Grade	Points
  Double Award A Level	2	2025	A* A*	120
  Single Award A Level	1	2025	A	50
  Single Award A Level	1	2025	B	N/A
  			Total	170

  Where a pupil has studied two Double Awards, the points achieved from the lower of the two awards are divided by 2.

• Qualification	Size	Year Achieved	Grade	Points
  Single Award A Level	1	2024	B	40
  Single Award A Level	1	2025	B	40
  Single Award AS Level	0.5	2025	C	N/A
  			Total	80

  Pupil C counts towards the measure even though they have not entered 3 A Levels, as long as they have not also entered an approved Tech Level, Applied General or other Academic Qualifications whose size is equal to one A Level. Their Single Award AS Level is not included in this measure.

• The points from each of the three pupils above are combined to produce the school score in the best 3 A Levels:

  Pupil / Total	Points
  Pupil A	140
  Pupil B	170
  Pupil C	80
  Total points	140 + 170 + 80 = 390
  Total entries	3 pupils x 3 = 9 entries
  Points per entry	390 ÷ 9 = 43.33
  Result expressed as a grade	B+

Related information

• Sisra Analytics: What is the Best 3 A Levels measure?
• Sisra Analytics: KS5 Reports - Best 3 A Levels
• For further information about the Best 3 A Levels Measure, please see page 50 onwards of the DfE's 16 to 18 accountability measures: technical guidance. 

Updated 28 October 2025 16:14