Are the 25 Bonus Points for Higher Maths Worth It?
Yes. The 25 bonus points for Higher Level Maths (H6 or above) are worth it for most students: a H6 at 40% earns 71 CAO points, more than an O1 at 90% Ordinary, which earns 56.
How the bonus points work
Higher Level Maths awards an extra 25 CAO points on top of the normal grade points, for any grade of H6 (40%) or higher. No other subject offers this, which makes Higher Maths uniquely valuable for maximising your CAO total.
Higher vs Ordinary Level points
The comparison below shows the normal points, the bonus, and the total for Higher Level, alongside the Ordinary Level equivalent. Notice that even a H6 at Higher out-scores an O1 at Ordinary.
The bottom line
If you can realistically reach 40% in Higher Level Maths, the bonus points almost always make it the better choice for your CAO total. The gap only widens as your grade improves.
CAO points: Higher vs Ordinary Level
| Percentage | Higher grade | Higher points (incl. 25 bonus) | Ordinary grade | Ordinary points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 90–100% | H1 | 125 | O1 | 56 |
| 80–90% | H2 | 113 | O2 | 46 |
| 70–80% | H3 | 102 | O3 | 37 |
| 60–70% | H4 | 91 | O4 | 28 |
| 50–60% | H5 | 81 | O5 | 20 |
| 40–50% | H6 | 71 | O6 | 12 |
| 30–40% | H7 | 37 (no bonus) | O7 | 0 |
Higher Level Maths adds 25 bonus points to any grade of H6 (40%) or above. A H6 (71 points) beats an O1 (56 points).
Frequently asked questions
How many bonus points do you get for Higher Maths?
You get 25 bonus points for any Higher Level Maths grade of H6 or above, i.e. 40% or higher.
Do you get bonus points for an H7 in maths?
No. The 25 bonus points only apply from H6 (40%) upward. A H7 (30 to 40%) does not receive the bonus.
How much is a H1 in Higher Maths worth?
A H1 is worth 100 points plus the 25 bonus points, for a total of 125 CAO points.
Authoritative sources
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