GCSE Grade Boundaries Percentages Explained

Key Takeaways

• The GCSE 9-1 grading system was introduced in 2017, replacing the old A*-G system.

• Grade boundaries are not fixed percentages and vary by subject, exam board, and exam difficulty each year.

• Grade 4 is a standard pass, and grade 5 is a strong pass.

Why Are GCSE Grade Boundaries Confusing?

Trying to work out what percentage you need for each GCSE grade can feel like a test in itself! Unlike a simple assessment, where 70% always equals the same mark, GCSE grade boundaries percentages shift every year. You might need 65% for a grade 7 one year but 68% the next. It's frustrating when you're trying to set clear revision targets.

Don't worry. This article will break down how GCSE grade boundaries work. We'll explain what percentage ranges typically lead to each grade, why boundaries change, and how to find the specific information for your exams.

Understanding the GCSE Grading System

GCSEs in England use a numerical grading scale from 9 to 1, where 9 is the highest grade and 1 is the lowest.

The system was first introduced in 2017 (opens in a new tab) for English Language, English Literature, and Maths. By 2020, all GCSE subjects in England had moved to this new grading system.

The 9-1 system replaced the old A*-G letter grades. According to Ofqual (opens in a new tab), the grading system change was needed to mirror the change happening to GCSE exams themselves. They were being reformed to be more challenging. A new grading system was introduced to show that.

Grade 9 sits above the old A* grade. Only the top-performing students receive this grade. Generally, this means just 3-5% of all GCSE entries achieve a grade 9 (opens in a new tab).

This grading system applies specifically to England. 

• Wales continues to use the A*-G system

• Scotland has its own National 4 and 5 qualifications

• Northern Ireland uses a modified 9-1 system 

How GCSE Grade Boundaries Work

Grade boundaries are the minimum number of marks you need to achieve each grade.

They're set by exam boards after all the marking is completed. The boundaries ensure that whenever you sit an exam, you receive the same grade for the same level of performance, even if one year's paper is harder than another's.

Remember, grade boundaries are not fixed percentages. They change for every exam series.

Grade boundaries are published by exam boards on the morning of Results Day, usually around 8am. This is when you'll see exactly how many marks you need for each grade in your specific exams.

Next steps: Take a look at our GCSE Results Day article to find out more about what to expect on the day.

Why Grade Boundaries Change

Several factors influence why grade boundaries fluctuate each year.

What Percentage Do You Need for Each GCSE Grade?

It depends. It's important to understand that these percentages are approximate guides only. The actual percentage you need varies by: 

• Subject

• Exam board

• Tier (foundation or higher)

• The difficulty of that year's paper

That said, here are the typical percentage ranges based on recent grade boundaries. You’ll notice some overlap in percentages. This is because the boundary will change every exam series.

All data for the percentage of students awarded each grade is taken from the Joint Council of Qualifications (JCQ) (opens in a new tab).

Next steps: Explore our comprehensive grade boundaries pages where you can find all the major exam board boundaries in one place. 

How Different GCSE Exam Boards Compare

The main exam boards in England include AQA (opens in a new tab), Edexcel (Pearson) (opens in a new tab), and OCR (opens in a new tab). Each sets their own GCSE grade boundaries.

All exam boards follow the same assessment objectives and must meet Ofqual's standards (opens in a new tab). However, their specific questions and mark schemes can differ slightly.

This means grade boundaries can vary between exam boards for the same subject. What scores a grade 7 with AQA might be slightly different from what's needed with Edexcel. 

Here's a quick comparison showing how boundaries can differ (using 2024 Higher Maths as an example):

(Note: OCR uses a different total mark scale of 300)

The key point? Don't compare your raw marks with someone taking a different exam board. Each board sets boundaries independently.

Variations Between Subjects

Grade boundaries differ between subjects. What scores a grade 8 in one subject might not in another.

For instance, if we look at the AQA GCSE grade boundaries for 2024 (opens in a new tab), you’d need around 69% to achieve a grade 8 in English Language, but you’d need 76% to achieve the same grade in English Literature. 

This doesn't mean one subject is easier than another. It reflects the different nature of the content and how it's assessed.

Subjects are also assessed differently. Some rely entirely on final exams, whilst others include coursework or practical assessments. This affects how marks translate to grades.

How Raw Marks Are Converted to GCSE Grades

When you complete your GCSE exams, examiners mark your papers using detailed mark schemes. These create your raw marks - the actual number of points you scored.

Your raw marks then go through a conversion process. This process accounts for the difficulty of the paper and ensures fair grading.

For most linear GCSEs (where you take all exams at the end), the process is straightforward. Exam boards simply add up your raw marks from all papers to create a total mark.

Once total marks are calculated, senior examiners review the papers. They consider factors like:

• How difficult the paper was compared to previous years

• How students performed on specific questions

• Statistical data on the cohort's overall performance

Based on this review, they set the grade boundaries. These boundaries show the minimum raw marks needed for each grade.

Checking Your GCSE Grade Boundaries

Want to know the exact grade boundaries for your specific exams? Here's how to find them.

Grade boundaries are published on Results Day morning, around 8am. They're released before students receive their results.

Each exam board publishes boundaries on their website. Visit:

• AQA (opens in a new tab)

• Edexcel (Pearson) (opens in a new tab) 

• OCR (opens in a new tab)

You'll need to know:

• Which exam board set your exam (ask your teacher if you're unsure)

• The qualification code (usually a four-digit number like 8300 for AQA English Language)

• The exam series (June or November)

• Which tier you took (foundation or higher, where applicable)

What If You're Close to a Grade Boundary?

If you score just one or two marks below the next grade up, this is called being "on the boundary" and it's a frustrating position to be in.

You have the option to request a review of marking (sometimes called a remark or appeal). This means another examiner looks at your work.

When a review is worth it

If you're very close to the next grade boundary (1-3 marks away), a review might push you over. If the grade you’re awarded really matters - perhaps you need it for a college place or job - it's worth considering.

However, there are risks and costs involved. Reviews cost money, on average around £45, depending on the exam board and type of review. Your school must request it on your behalf because you can't do it directly.

Now for an even more frustrating bit: your grade can go down as well as up. If the reviewer finds marking errors that weren't in your favour, you could end up with a lower grade. It’s a good idea to take a look at our GCSE remark success rate article and weigh up the pros and cons of opting for a review.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hardest GCSE to get a 9 in?

There's no definitive answer, as difficulty is subjective. However, Maths and Engineering are often considered among the hardest (opens in a new tab) because only a small percentage of students achieve the grade 9s (around 3%). The hardest GCSE for you personally depends on your strengths. 

Our article on the hardest GCSE subjects gives you loads of tips for the best ways to tackle them.

Can grade boundaries go down as well as up?

Yes. Grade boundaries can decrease or increase from one year to the next.

If a paper turns out to be particularly difficult, boundaries will be set lower to ensure students aren't unfairly penalised. (opens in a new tab)However, boundaries rarely fluctuate wildly.  (opens in a new tab)

The system is designed to maintain standards. A grade 4 should represent the same level of achievement, whether boundaries are slightly higher or lower in any given year.

What percentage do you need to pass GCSE English and Maths?

For English Language, you needed:

• 51% for a grade 5 pass.

• 45% for a grade 4 pass.

This is data according to the AQA grade boundaries from 2024 (opens in a new tab).

For Maths, it all depends on the tier you’re entered for. In Higher tier papers, you need a lower percentage because the paper is more difficult. In Lower tier papers, grade 5 is the highest grade you can be awarded, so the percentage needed is higher. 

Looking at the same grade boundaries from AQA: 

In Higher tier, you needed:

• 40% for a grade 5 pass.

• 25% for a grade 4 pass.

In Lower tier, you needed:

• 78% for a grade 5 pass.

• 65% for a grade 4 pass.

These percentages are approximate. The exact boundaries vary by exam board and exam series.

How are GCSE grades calculated with coursework?

Most modern GCSEs are linear, meaning they're assessed entirely through exams taken at the end of the course.

However, some subjects still include coursework or non-exam assessment (NEA). These include subjects like:

• Art and Design (portfolio work)

• Drama (performances)

• Design and Technology (practical projects)

When coursework is included, it's usually weighted as a percentage of your final grade. For example, your coursework might be worth 40% while your final exam is worth 60%.

Smash Your GCSE Goals With Save My Exams

Understanding GCSE grade boundary percentages can help you set realistic revision targets. But, don't get too caught up in trying to calculate exactly what percentage you need. Instead, aim to understand your subjects thoroughly and demonstrate your knowledge effectively in your exams.

Remember that grade boundaries aren't fixed. What mattered for last year's students might differ for you. Use historical boundaries as a rough guide for revision planning, but don't treat them as exact predictions. 

And, if you’re in the throes of revision right now, use Save My Exams to boost your study sessions. With comprehensive banks of examiner-written revision notes, flashcards, mock exams, past papers, and topic questions, you have everything you need in one place to keep your revision focused and fun.  

Start your free trial today.

References

gov.uk (opens in a new tab) - The Education Hub - GCSE results day 2025: Everything you need to know including the number grading system (opens in a new tab)

Ofqual blog - Why 9-1? (opens in a new tab)

Learn Direct - GCSE Grades Explained: Complete Guide to the UK Grading System (opens in a new tab)

JCQ - Summer 2025 Results (opens in a new tab)

Ofqual - GCSE (9 to 1) qualification-level conditions and requirements (opens in a new tab)

AQA (opens in a new tab)

Edexcel (Pearson) (opens in a new tab)

OCR (opens in a new tab)

AQA GCSE Grade Boundaries 2024 (opens in a new tab)

Edexcel GCSE Grade Boundaries 2024 (opens in a new tab)

OCR GCSE Grade Boundaries 2024 (opens in a new tab)

AQA Exam Administration - Grade Boundaries (opens in a new tab)

Edexcel (Pearson) Grade Boundaries (opens in a new tab)

OCR Grade Boundaries (opens in a new tab)

B Stubbs - Student Performance Analysis (opens in a new tab)