Summer 2021: Understanding your results for Cambridge Nationals

Results for summer 2021 exams will be issued in the same week this year:

• Tuesday 10 August - AS/A Levels, Extended Project, Core Maths, FSMQ and Cambridge Technicals
• Thursday 12 August - GCSEs, Entry Level and Cambridge Nationals

Our getting your results page has more information, including example results slips.

The Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) has created a useful timeline about grades for students.

Waiting for your exam results can be very stressful, and this year’s wait might be even more so than usual. What should you do if you don’t do as well as you had hoped? Read our five top tips for results day.

We also have a dedicated student page on our website with further information on wellbeing and support and appeals guidance for students.

Results Slips

Your school or college may generate a combined results slip with the results of all the different awarding bodies.

Alternately they may use results slips from each awarding body. We produce results slips like the example shown below.

• Your Cambridge Nationals results explained

Cambridge Nationals Grades

Cambridge Nationals use a 7 point grading structure, using grades from a Level 2 Distinction* (the highest) to Level 1 Pass (the lowest)

• Distinction* at Level 2
• Distinction at Level 2
• Merit at Level 2
• Pass at Level 2
• Distinction at Level 1
• Merit at Level 1
• Pass at Level 1

Candidates who fail to reach the minimum standard will be unclassified (U). Only subjects in which the grades shown above are attained will be recorded on certificates.

Short Version of Grades

If you are given a results slip generated from your school's system, it may have a short version of grades, these can be found below

*2 = Distinction* at Level 2
D2 = Distinction at Level 2
M2 = Merit at Level 2
P2 = Pass at Level 2
D1 = Distinction at Level 1
M1 = Merit at Level 1
P1 = Pass at Level 1

Comparing to GCSE

• Cambridge National Awards (60 guided learning hours) are the same size as a short course (half) a GCSE.
• Cambridge National Certificates (120 GLH) are the same size as a full GCSE.
• Level 1 covers grades 3-1 or D-G
• Level 2 covers grades 9-4 or A*-C