I'm doing an access course in Northern Ireland. Our course is graded slightly different but along the same line. We get an overall percentage where 60% or above is pass with commendation (Merit), 70% above is pass with High Commendation (Distinction), I don't know what 80% or above is, but it is exceptionally hard to get and rarely given out.
After 2 pieces of coursework, I'm sitting on 82.5%, I do not expect it to stay there at all. I'm waiting on a 3rd piece to be marked, and I have one more piece to do plus my first year exams. I'm doing it part time over two years.
Am I finding it easy, hell no!! Have I academic ability, well I got 6 GCSE's in school all A's 20 years ago!! I would say I am a little higher than average, academic ability but by no means 'Bright'
This is a tough course, I am having to do approximately 15 hours extra study at home every week, on top of my 9 hours at college. So I'm not taking to it naturally, I working my backside off, whilst juggling work, home and two kids, to get these grades.
As someone before said, you get out what you put in. I would say, I could get a pass easily but I want to do the best I can and to get that I need to work hard!
I hope that helps a little, best of luck.