This article aims to explain which figures are shown in the Best 3 A Levels reports and how these are calculated. This analysis is available for groups and students, allowing you to see how they have performed in relation to the Best 3 A Levels measure and which qualifications are counting for them.

Accessing the Report

To access the Best 3 A Levels reports, click REPORTS > KS5 > select cohort. Then, select the DATA SET in the dropdown and click ‘Best 3 A Levels’.

Once in the reports, you can switch to a different report, view, or group at the top of the page, or use the DATA SET dropdown to switch to a different data set or assessment.

Column Headings

There are a number of options on specific column headers in the KS5 reports, allowing you to view more information on a specific figure. For example, click the chart icon to view the figures within selected columns in chart format. Click the 'i' icon to view information on how the figures in that column are calculated.

Report Calculations

• Students Included in Best 3 A Levels / Included in Best 3 A Levels?: Count of students in each group that are included in the Best 3 A Levels measure. At students level this highlights whether or not each student is included.
  
  As per DfE guidance, in order to count towards the Best 3 A Levels measure, students need to have a grade in at least one approved A Level qualification. If students are entered for less than 3 A Levels then they are not included if they take any additional Academic, Applied General, or Tech Level qualifications greater than or equal to the size of an A level. For further information on this, please take a look at the DfE’s Technical Guide from page 50 onwards, linked in our article here - KS5 - DfE's 16 to 18 accountability headline measures: technical guide.

The summary row shows the total number of students included in the Best 3 A Levels measure.

• Average Total Points: Sum of the Best 3 A Levels total points for each student divided by the number of students in each group. This column is only displayed when grouping report data by Groups.
  
  The summary row shows the overall average total points for all students in the cohort, or for the students included in the measure (when ‘Update Student Inclusion’ has been applied).
  
• Total Points: Sum of the Best 3 A Levels total points for each student.
  
  The summary row shows the overall average total points for all students in the cohort, or for the students included in the measure (when ‘Update Student Inclusion’ has been applied).
• Avg Pts per Slot: The average total points of the Best 3 A Levels qualifications for each group / student divided by three.
  
  The summary row shows the overall average points per slot, calculated by the sum of all grade points of the grades counting in the Best 3 A Levels divided by the number of slots.
• Avg Grade: Average grade for each student or group based on their Best 3 A Levels grades. This is calculated by taking the average points value and using the DfE’s Average Grade tables, referenced in this article - KS5 - Average Grade Boundaries used in Reports.
  
  The summary row shows the overall average grade, calculated by taking the average points value for all students in the cohort (or for the students included in the measure when ‘Update Student Inclusion’ is applied) and using the Average Grade tables found in Appendix 1.
• Grades: The grades counting towards Best 3 A Levels for each student.
• Average Slots Filled: The average Best 3 A Levels slots filled per student in each group (maximum value of 3).
  
  The summary row shows the average number of slots filled overall.
• Slots Filled: The total Best 3 A Levels slots filled per student (maximum value of 3).
  
  The summary row shows the average number of slots filled overall.
• Qualification 1 / Qualification 2 / Qualification 3: The qualification filling each slot towards the Best 3 A Levels measure for each student.

Thanks for reading!