AS carry-forward: staged vs linear A Levels
Every Cambridge threshold table has rows like Papers 32, 42, 88 next to rows like Papers 12, 32, 42, 52. They are the same qualification taken two different ways. This guide explains the difference and how to find the row that applies to you.
Two routes to the same A Level
A Cambridge International A Level is made of an AS half and an A2 half. You can take them:
- Linear — all papers, AS and A2, in one exam series. The threshold row lists every paper you sat, e.g. Papers 11, 31, 41, 51.
- Staged — the AS papers in one series, then the A2 papers in a later series, with the AS result carried forward. The threshold row lists only the A2 papers plus a two-digit number in the 70s, 80s or 90s standing for the carried-forward AS, e.g. Papers 31, 41, 87.
- AS only — the AS papers alone, for a standalone AS Level certificate graded a–e. In the tables these rows have no A* column, e.g. Papers 11, 21.
Both full routes lead to the same certificate with the same grades, A*–E, and in any one session they are set to the same standard. The rows differ because the carried-forward AS mark was earned on a different paper in a different series, so it is combined with the A2 marks through a slightly different calculation.
What the 7x, 8x, 9x numbers mean
Cambridge gives the carried-forward AS component a code in the 70s, 80s or 90s so it can sit in the same table as real papers. The digits identify which earlier series the AS came from. You do not need to decode it: your statement of results and your school's entry confirmation show the exact option you were entered for, and the threshold row with the same components is yours. If the same session offers several staged rows (say 32, 42, 78 and 32, 42, 88 and 32, 42, 98), they are for candidates whose AS came from different earlier series — pick the one matching your entry, not the most generous one.
Reading the two rows side by side (June 2026 Mathematics)
| Route | Papers | Max | A* | A | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linear | Papers 11, 31, 41, 51 | 250 | 223 | 197 | 60 |
| Staged | Papers 31, 41, 87 | 250 | 224 | 199 | 61 |
Both rows are out of 250. The staged row's thresholds are a little different because half of its total comes from an AS paper sat in an earlier series, with its own difficulty. Neither row is "easier": each is set so that a grade means the same thing. The full table for this session is on the Mathematics June 2026 boundaries page.
How the A* works on a staged route
The A* is awarded on the full A Level total — AS plus A2 — against the A* threshold of your option row, exactly as for linear candidates. There is no A* at AS Level and no A* threshold for individual papers, which is why the AS-only rows and the per-paper component tables stop at A. A strong A2 series can lift a carried-forward "a" at AS to an A* overall; equally, a weak A2 can pull an excellent AS down to a B. Use the grade calculator with your option selected to test combinations before results day.
Retaking with a carried-forward AS
If the A2 series goes badly, you can usually retake the A2 papers in a later series and carry the same AS forward again, provided you are still inside the carry-forward window. If it is the AS that let you down, you can retake the AS papers and then continue — but the retaken AS mark replaces the old one only if your school enters you that way, so talk to the exams officer before choosing. Rules on the number of carry-forward attempts and the window change from time to time; the current version is in the Cambridge Handbook your school holds.
Frequently asked
- Is it better to take AS first or sit everything at the end?
- Neither route is graded more generously: the thresholds for staged and linear options in the same session are set to the same standard. Staged entry gives you a certificated AS after year one and a chance to retake it; linear entry keeps all the marks in one series and avoids carry-forward deadlines. Choose on study preference and your school's timetable, not on boundaries.
- How long can an AS result be carried forward?
- Cambridge allows an AS result to be carried forward to a full A Level within a limited window of later series (check the current regulations with your school, as the window has changed over time). The carried-forward AS mark is used as it stood; it is not re-marked.
- Can I get an A* if I carried forward my AS?
- Yes. The A* is awarded on the full A Level total, which includes the carried-forward AS mark. Staged options in the threshold tables have their own A* threshold, exactly like linear options.
- Why does my option code end in a number like 88 or 98?
- In Cambridge threshold tables, component numbers in the 7x, 8x and 9x range stand for an AS result carried forward from an earlier series. The exact digits identify which series it came from. Rows with those numbers are the staged (carry-forward) options.
Related: how A-Level grading works · grade boundaries explained · grade boundary tables
Independent study tool. Not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to Cambridge Assessment International Education. Grade boundary figures are sourced from official releases; always confirm with your exam board.