Qualification within two years prior to entry: wdym?

I see lots of unis stating that for mature students, qualifications should have been taken within 2-3 years prior to entry.

I guess this would vary from uni to uni, but how do you normally count 'within X years prior to entry'?

I'm confused which one of those is general perception:

e.g. If my first year at uni would be 2025-26, I should have taken A in:

1)2024 Summer or after
i.e. two academic years before the first year at uni

2)2023 Summer or after
i.e. two calendar years before the first year at uni