Stop calculating your UCAS points wrong (Your AS levels do NOT stack with your A-Levels).

Seeing a lot of panicking in the threads right now about university offers, so here is a quick breakdown of how the Tariff system actually works for 2026 entry. 1. AS Levels do not stack: If you take an AS level in a subject and then complete the full A-Level in that same subject, you ONLY get the points for the A-Level. Do not add them together. 2. EPQs are a cheat code: An Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) is worth up to 28 UCAS points (equivalent to half an A-Level). If your firm choice asks for 120 points and you are looking at BBB (which is 120), dropping to a BBC (112 points) but securing a solid EPQ grade can still get you over the line. 3. BTECs are heavy hitters: A Distinction* (D*) in a BTEC is worth 56 points, which is exactly the same as an A* at A-Level. If you are doing a mix, factor that in. Universities don't care how you get the points if they make a Tariff offer, they just care about the total number. (Edit: For everyone asking how to mix and match BTEC DD grades with A-Levels to see if they meet their firm offer, I coded a quick [https://freetoolforge.org/tools/calculators/uk-ucas-tariff-calculator] that lets you combine different qualifications easily).*