The hardest and easiest A-levels, by grades in 2026
Which A-levels give out the most and fewest top grades, why that is not the same as easy or hard, and how to choose subjects you will do well in.
There is no official list of the hardest A-levels, but the share of top grades each subject awards gives a useful clue. In 2026, 28.3% of A-level entries in England were graded A* or A, but that varied hugely between subjects: from more than half in Further Maths to about one in eight in English Language.
Top grades by subject, 2026
Provisional UK results for summer 2026, for the larger subjects:
| Subject | A* | A* or A |
|---|---|---|
| Further Maths | 29.0% | 58.9% |
| Maths | 17.7% | 42.5% |
| Art and Design | 16.5% | 35.1% |
| Physics | 11.5% | 32.5% |
| Chemistry | 9.4% | 32.3% |
| Economics | 7.7% | 30.2% |
| Biology | 9.3% | 27.8% |
| Politics | 8.1% | 27.4% |
| English Literature | 9.3% | 24.9% |
| History | 5.8% | 24.7% |
| Geography | 5.9% | 24.7% |
| Psychology | 6.0% | 20.1% |
| Sociology | 5.5% | 19.0% |
| Business | 4.2% | 16.2% |
| Media Studies | – | 14.0% |
| English Language | – | 12.3% |
Among smaller subjects, modern languages also award many top grades: German had the highest share of A* and A grades of the established subjects reported by Tes (45.4%), partly because many entrants are native or near-native speakers.
Why top grades do not mean “easy”
- Who takes the subject matters. Further Maths is mostly taken by very strong mathematicians, which pushes up its grades. That does not make the content easy.
- “Easy” subjects can be harsh. Psychology, Sociology and Business are often seen as soft options, yet they award fewer top grades than Chemistry or Physics.
- Standards are set to be comparable. Exam boards and Ofqual set grade boundaries so that a grade means roughly the same each year.
How to choose subjects you will do well in
- Pick subjects you enjoy and did well in at GCSE.
- Check what the degree or career you are considering requires, for example Chemistry for medicine or Maths for economics.
- Look at how each subject is assessed: some are all exams, others include coursework.
- Read our subject guides before you decide.
Questions people ask
What is the hardest A-level?
Further Maths, Chemistry and Physics are usually ranked the hardest for their content, but they award more top grades than many essay subjects.
What is the easiest A-level?
No A-level is easy. By grades alone, English Language, Media Studies, Business and Sociology award the fewest A* and A grades.
Do universities prefer “hard” A-levels?
Selective universities like subjects that prepare you for their course. Maths, the sciences, English Literature, History, Geography and languages are widely respected.
