PREDICTED GRADES: Whay they are in the ib and a-level

TutorASAP Blog · University Admissions

Predicted grades: what they are in the IB and A-Level, and how they affect university admissions

TutorASAP  ·  16 min read  ·  September 2026

Predicted grades are the grades a school estimates a student will achieve by the end of the IB or A-Levels. These forecast grades can play an important role in international university admissions, especially when a student applies before receiving their final results.

But how are predicted grades calculated? Who decides them? What's the difference between IB and A-Level predicted grades? And, above all, how much do they matter for getting into university?

In this guide, TutorASAP explains what predicted grades are, how they work in the IB and A-Levels, and what to keep in mind when preparing an international university application.

What you'll find in this article

  • What predicted grades are and how they're calculated
  • How they work in the IB and A-Level, with examples
  • Their relationship with UCAS and admissions in the UK and the US
  • What to do if your predicted grades fall short of requirements
  • How they can be improved and how to prepare a strong prediction
  • Common mistakes when interpreting them, and frequently asked questions

What are predicted grades?

Predicted grades, also called forecast grades or predictive grades, are an estimate of the grades a student is likely to achieve at the end of an academic programme.

In the context of university admissions, predicted grades let universities assess a student's expected academic performance before final exams have taken place.

For example:

  • An IB student might have predicted grades of 40 points out of 45.
  • An A-Level student might present predicted grades of A*AA.

These grades are not the final result. They are a forecast made by the school based on the student's academic performance.

What are predicted grades used for?

Universities can use predicted grades to assess whether a candidate's academic profile matches the requirements of the course they're applying to. This is especially relevant when:

  • The application is submitted before final exams
  • The university needs to assess the academic record in advance
  • The admissions process involves offers conditional on final grades
  • The student is applying to a university in another country

So, even though predicted grades aren't the final result, they can form part of a university admissions decision.

How are predicted grades calculated?

There's no single formula for calculating predicted grades. The process depends on the school and the education system. Teachers typically take several performance indicators into account, such as:

  • Grades achieved during the year
  • Internal exams
  • Mock exams
  • Coursework and assessments
  • Academic progress and performance in each subject
  • Level demonstrated against the assessment criteria
  • Teachers' experience and academic judgement

For example, if a student has consistently achieved high results during the year and their mock exam performance is consistent with a given grade, the school can use that information to set their predicted grade.

It's important to remember that predicted grades are an estimate, not a guarantee of the final result.

Predicted grades by programme

IB

The IB Diploma Programme has a maximum score of 45 points. Universities may set academic requirements expressed in IB points and, in some cases, specific requirements for certain subjects. Example: Predicted IB score: 40/45. This prediction can help the university assess the candidate's expected academic level before official results are available.

Who sets IB predicted grades?

They're normally set by the school and its teachers, taking into account exams, coursework, internal assessments, mocks and the student's progress throughout the programme. That's why two students with similar academic profiles could receive different predictions depending on their respective school's criteria.

A-LEVEL

In A-Levels, predicted grades represent the school's estimate of the grades a student is likely to achieve in their final exams. They're usually expressed as grades such as A*, A, B, C, D or E. Example: A*AA. These grades can be used during the admissions process to assess whether the student shows the academic level expected for a given university course.

What's the difference between predicted grades and final grades?

Predicted grades Final grades
Are a forecast Are the definitive result
Known before final exams Obtained after the exams
Set by the school Reflect the official results
May be used during admissions Confirm the final academic result

For example, a student might have predicted grades of 41/45 in the IB and a final result of 39/45. The prediction and the final result don't have to match.

That's why having a particular predicted grade doesn't necessarily mean the student will achieve that exact grade.

How do predicted grades affect university admissions?

The impact of predicted grades depends on the university, the country, the course and the admissions system. In certain processes, universities may use forecast grades to assess whether a candidate reaches the expected academic level — something especially important when the application is submitted before the student finishes their exams. Predicted grades can help universities:

  • Assess expected academic performance
  • Compare candidates' academic profiles
  • Check whether the student is close to the course's requirements
  • Make admissions decisions before final grades are available
  • Set certain academic conditions on an offer

However, not all universities use predicted grades in the same way.

Predicted Grades A-Levels & IB
Predicted Grades A-Levels & IB

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What happens if my predicted grades are below a university's requirements?

This is one of the main concerns for students preparing an application. If your predicted grades fall below a university's published academic requirements, it can affect how your application is assessed. However, there's no universal rule that determines the outcome of an application based on predicted grades alone. Universities may weigh other parts of your record, depending on the admissions process.

It's also important to distinguish between:

  • Minimum requirements
  • Typical academic requirements
  • Subject-specific requirements
  • Conditions of a specific offer
  • Additional admissions requirements

That's why you shouldn't interpret a predicted grade in isolation.

Can predicted grades be raised?

In some cases, predicted grades can be revised if the student shows positive academic progress and the school decides there are grounds to update the prediction. However, this depends on the school and its procedures. The best strategy isn't to wait until you're about to submit your university application, but to work in advance on the factors that can improve academic performance. Some useful measures are:

1

Improve mock exam results — mock exams help identify which content or skills need more work.

2

Analyse each subject — not every subject presents the same challenges; identifying where points are lost allows for a more precise study plan.

3

Ask teachers for feedback — teachers can help identify what's preventing a student from reaching a particular grade.

4

Set concrete goals — more useful than simply studying more hours without a measurable plan, for example improving a specific type of exercise.

5

Plan university admissions well in advance — knowing the requirements of target universities helps organise preparation more effectively.

Predicted grades and UCAS: how are they connected?

Predicted grades are especially relevant for students applying to universities in the United Kingdom. The British admissions system allows universities to receive information about the expected academic performance of students who haven't yet received their final results.

In certain cases, a university may make a conditional offer requiring the student to achieve specific grades in their final exams — for example, particular A-Level grades or a specific IB score.

That's why students preparing a UCAS application should pay close attention to:

  • Their predicted grades
  • Each course's academic requirements
  • Required subjects
  • Offer conditions
  • Application deadlines

The UK and the US: two different systems

UNITED KINGDOM

Predicted grades can be important, especially in applications from students who haven't yet sat their final exams, although their exact weight depends on each university and course. It's worth analysing the requirements of the specific course, not just the university's general requirements: two courses at the same university can have different academic requirements.

UNITED STATES

The US admissions process tends to assess the academic record as part of a broader application. For international students taking the IB or A-Levels, predicted grades provide useful information but shouldn't be interpreted as equivalent to the entire US evaluation system. Anyone applying to universities in both countries should prepare their application with the particularities of each system in mind.

What predicted grades do I need to get into university?

There's no universal figure for predicted grades that guarantees admission to a university. Requirements depend on factors such as:

  • University and course
  • Country and education system
  • Admissions year
  • Subjects studied
  • Course-specific requirements

For example, it isn't enough to know that a university accepts IB students. You need to check what score it requires for that specific course, whether there are subject-specific requirements, and what other criteria are part of the application.

Predicted grades: mistakes to avoid

1. Confusing a prediction with a final grade — a predicted grade is an estimate and may not match the final result.

2. Focusing only on the total score — some courses set specific requirements for certain subjects.

3. Waiting until the last minute — international university admissions require planning that starts well before the application is submitted.

4. Using the same criteria for every university — the role of predicted grades varies by country, university and course.

5. Not checking current requirements — it's always worth confirming the information for the specific admissions cycle you're applying under.

How to prepare strong predicted grades

Predicted grades are, to a large extent, a consequence of the academic performance shown during the year. That's why preparing them well means working on your record well in advance. A good plan can include:

1

Assess your starting point — review your current grades and identify which subjects need more attention.

2

Research your target universities — check the academic requirements of the courses you're interested in.

3

Identify the gap between where you are and your goals — this helps set realistic priorities.

4

Work with your mock exam results — use your mistakes to guide your preparation.

5

Keep in regular contact with your teachers — their feedback can be especially useful for identifying areas to improve.

6

Plan your university application well ahead of time — coordinate your academic preparation with the rest of the application.

Frequently asked questions about predicted grades

What do predicted grades mean?

Predicted grades are forecast grades: the grades a school estimates a student will achieve at the end of their studies, before official results are known.

Are predicted grades mandatory?

It depends on the education system and each university's admissions process. In certain international processes, they form part of the academic information used to assess an application.

Who decides predicted grades?

They're normally set by the school, based on the student's performance and their teachers' judgement.

Are IB and A-Level predicted grades the same?

No. The concept is similar, but the grading systems are different: in the IB they can be expressed as a score out of 45, while A-Level uses grades such as A*, A, B or C.

Can predicted grades change?

There can be review processes depending on the student's progress and the school's policies, although there's no universal procedure that applies to every school.

What happens if my final grade is lower than my predicted grades?

Final grades can be higher, the same as, or lower than predicted grades. The specific effect will depend on the admissions process and, where applicable, the conditions of the offer received.

Do predicted grades guarantee admission?

No. A predicted grade doesn't guarantee a university place. The decision depends on the admissions process and the criteria set by each institution.

Understanding predicted grades is key to planning university admissions

Predicted grades are a key tool for assessing the expected academic performance of students who haven't yet received their final results. They shouldn't be seen as a guarantee of admission, but as part of a broader strategy: understanding university requirements, working on your academic record, preparing for exams, and planning your application well in advance.

If you're studying the IB or A-Levels and have questions about your predicted grades, your target universities, or preparing your international application, TutorASAP can help you structure the process and prepare every stage with time to spare.

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