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Grade BoundariesAQA A Level Grade Boundaries 2026

AQA A Level Grade Boundaries 2026: Averages & Why They Matter

Curious about the AQA A Level grade boundaries for 2026? If you're sitting your A Level exams this year, understanding how grade boundaries work can help you to navigate your results and evaluate how you've performed.

Grade boundaries show how many marks you need to achieve a certain grade—they're what turn your raw exam marks into your final result. These boundaries can vary slightly each year, depending on how challenging the exam paper is for the whole cohort of students.

If a paper is tougher than expected, grade boundaries may be lowered to reflect that. Likewise, if the paper is easier, boundaries may be raised. This ensures students are assessed fairly and keeps grading consistent and balanced from one year to the next.

On this page, we're sharing the average grade boundaries for AQA A Level exams, based on data from the past 8 years. While these are not predictions, they offer a benchmark for what grade boundaries have typically looked like, giving you a clearer idea of what to expect.

We'll also be updating this page as soon as the official 2026 grade boundaries are released, so be sure to bookmark it and sign up for alerts below.

Average Grade Boundaries 2026

Based on data from the past 8 years, we've calculated the average grade boundaries for AQA A Level exams. While these are not predictions or official figures, they offer a helpful benchmark for understanding how grade boundaries have typically looked in recent years.

These averages are drawn from our comprehensive Save My Exams Grade Boundary Archive and are based on consistent trends in grade thresholds observed over multiple years.

SubjectYearMaximum MarkA*ABCDE
Accounting Adv20262401711451231017957
Art & Design Adv (3D Design)2026480293291173210169129
Art & Design Adv (Art Craft & Des)2026480293291173210169129
Art & Design Adv (Fine Art)2026480293291173210169129
Art & Design Adv (Graphic Comm)2026480293291173210169129
Art & Design Adv (Photography)2026480306306186231194157
Art & Design Adv (Textile Design)2026480293291173210169129
Art & Des Adv (3D Design)202696292271229188147106
Art & Des Adv (Fine Art)202696292271229188147106
Art & Des Adv (Graphic Com)202696292271229188147106
Art & Des Adv (Photography)202696300286246206167128
Art & Des Adv (Textile Design)202696292271229188147106
Art & Des Adv(Art,Craft & Des)20269623922218815412086
Art & Des Adv (Art,Craft & Des)2026480399370313257201145
Bengali Adv2026400297253218182147112
Biblical Hebrew Adv20263001791531311098765
Biology Adv20262601721501091007652
Business Adv202630020919214213410576
Computer Science Adv (C#)202630024723411615211170
Chemistry Adv20263002412001641289358
Computer Science Adv (Java)202637526724214515711471
Computer Science Adv (Pascal/Delphi)202637526724214515711471
Computer Science Adv (Python)202637526724214515711471
Computer Science Adv (Vb.Net)202637526724214515711471
Comp Sci Adv (C#)20263752912331881449955
Comp Sci Adv (Java)20263752912331881449955
Comp Sci Adv (Python)20263752912331881449955
Comp Sci Adv (Vb.Net)20263752912331881449955
Dance Adv2026200133121105907560
D&T Product Design Adv202640021919316313210273
D&T: Fashion And Textiles Adv2026400272241206171136102
D&T: Product Design Adv2026400303274232190149108
Drama And Theatre Adv2026200143128110927457
Economics Adv20262401771571161108764
English Language Adv2026500405377282266211156
English Language And Literature Adv20262501771691071199470
English Lang And Lit Adv202625020118415612810073
English Literature A Adv Option A202637527225615617613797
English Literature A Adv Option B202637527625915817513392
English Literature B Adv Option AA202637526224415017013497
English Literature B Adv Option AB2026375266247153174139103
English Literature B Adv Option BA202637527325615717613798
English Literature B Adv Option BB2026375276259161181143104
English Lit A Adv Option A2026375310275232191149107
English Lit A Adv Option B2026375320286241196152107
English Lit B Adv Option AA2026375306269228188147106
English Lit B Adv Option AB2026375310275233192150109
English Lit B Adv Option BA2026375328293251209167125
English Lit B Adv Option BB2026375334299256213170128
Environmental Science Adv20262401711541301068360
French Adv Teacher Cond Option2026400336298256215174133
French Adv Visiting Exr Option2026400357319277234192151
French Adv Visit Option2026400336294249204159115
Further Maths Adv Option DS20263002171781461158352
Further Maths Adv Option MD20263002101721411118151
Further Maths Adv Option SM20263002111721401097746
Further Mathematics Adv Option DS2026300198152124966942
Further Mathematics Adv Option MD2026300195149122956842
Further Mathematics Adv Option SM2026300193147120936741
Geography Adv202630022519616613610777
German Adv Teacher Cond Option202640032526922417913590
German Adv Visiting Exr Option2026400347293245198151104
German Adv Visit Option202640032926321717112681
History Adv Option AA202620014713585906745
History Adv Option AB202620015013887926947
History Adv Option AD202620014813685906845
History Adv Option Adv2026200110132-896847
History Adv Option AE202620014613977937048
History Adv Option AM202620014413382896746
History Adv Option BA2026200123144-1028160
History Adv Option BB202620015514388967451
History Adv Option BD202620015314286957249
History Adv Option BE202620015714589987552
History Adv Option BM202620014913884937250
History Adv Option BS202620015314187957250
History Adv Option CF202620015013987937048
History Adv Option CG202620014713585906947
History Adv Option CH202620014513383896846
History Adv Option CJ202620014813687937150
History Adv Option CK202620014513384896746
History Adv Option CL202620014613384896847
History Adv Option CN202620014513384906847
History Adv Option CO202620015013989947250
History Adv Option CP202620014813687937250
History Adv Option CQ202620015013888937149
History Adv Option CR202620014913788927048
History Adv Option CT202620014913786927048
History Adv Option DC202620015214478977451
History Adv Option DG202620015414289967350
History Adv Option DH202620015113986947250
History Adv Option DJ202620015514390987554
History Adv Option DK202620015214087947250
History Adv Option DL202620014814078957351
History Adv Option DN202620015114087947250
History Adv Option DO202620015714592997653
History Adv Option DP202620015514390987654
History Adv Option DQ202620015714591987552
History Adv Option DR202620015614491977451
History Adv Option DT202620014414559977451
History Adv Option EA202620011810185695337
History Adv Option EB2026200158137116947352
History Adv Option ED2026200776655443423
History Adv Option EE202620015113987967453
History Adv Option EM202620014013272927252
History Adv Option ES202620014713585937251
History Adv Option FC202620014114258967350
History Adv Option FF202620015214187957249
History Adv Option FG202620014913886937048
History Adv Option FH202620014713583916948
History Adv Option FJ202620015113987957352
History Adv Option FK2026200------
History Adv Option FL202620014813685927048
History Adv Option FN202620014713684927048
History Adv Option FO202620015314189967351
History Adv Option FP202620015113987957352
History Adv Option FQ202620015214188957350
History Adv Option FR202620015114088947249
History Adv Option FT202620015114087947250
History Adv Option GC2026200114136-927049
History Adv Option GF202620014813786926948
History Adv Option GG202620014513384896847
History Adv Option GH202620014313182886746
History Adv Option GJ2026200112133-917151
History Adv Option GK20262001038873584329
History Adv Option GL202620014413183886747
History Adv Option GN202620014313182886746
History Adv Option GO202620014913787927150
History Adv Option GP202620014213476927151
History Adv Option GQ202620014813686927048
History Adv Option GR202620014713586916948
History Adv Option GT2026200------
History Adv Option HA202620014313182886746
History Adv Option HB202620014513384906947
History Adv Option HD202620014413281896746
History Adv Option HE202620014713684927048
History Adv Option HM202620014012879876746
History Adv Option HS202620014513282886746
History Adv Option JC20262001058974604531
History Adv Option JF202620014913885926947
History Adv Option JG202620014613483896846
History Adv Option JH202620014313281886645
History Adv Option JJ202620011810184685237
History Adv Option JK2026200112134-917049
History Adv Option JL202620014413382896746
History Adv Option JN202620014413282896746
History Adv Option JO202620014913887937149
History Adv Option JP202620014713684927149
History Adv Option JQ202620014913886927048
History Adv Option JR202620014813685916947
History Adv Option JT2026200786756453524
History Adv Option KA202620014713586916948
History Adv Option KB202620014913787937150
History Adv Option KD202620014813685916948
History Adv Option KE202620015114088957250
History Adv Option KM202620014413282906949
History Adv Option KS202620014813686916948
History Adv Option LA202620014613485906846
History Adv Option LB202620014813687917048
History Adv Option LD202620014713585906846
History Adv Option LE202620015013987937149
History Adv Option LM202620014313182896847
History Adv Option LS202620014613585906847
History Adv Opt AA202620013811595765637
History Adv Opt AB202620013911697785941
History Adv Opt AD2026200------
History Adv Opt AE2026200------
History Adv Opt AM2026200------
History Adv Opt AS202620013911696765737
History Adv Opt BA2026200------
History Adv Opt BB2026200144121103846648
History Adv Opt BD2026200146123103846445
History Adv Opt BE2026200------
History Adv Opt BM2026200------
History Adv Opt BS2026200144121102826345
History Adv Opt CF202620013911697775839
History Adv Opt CG202620014011798785940
History Adv Opt CH202620013311091735537
History Adv Opt CJ202620013811595765737
History Adv Opt CK202620013411192745639
History Adv Opt CL202620013611394765739
History Adv Opt CN202620013711393745637
History Adv Opt CO202620013911696765737
History Adv Opt CP2026200------
History Adv Opt CQ202620014012099785837
History Adv Opt CR202620014011696775737
History Adv Opt CT2026200------
History Adv Opt DC2026200------
History Adv Opt DG2026200------
History Adv Opt DH2026200145122100795938
History Adv Opt DJ2026200150127105826038
History Adv Opt DK2026200------
History Adv Opt DL2026200148125104826140
History Adv Opt DN2026200148125102815938
History Adv Opt DO2026200151128105836038
History Adv Opt DP2026200------
History Adv Opt DQ2026200------
History Adv Opt DR2026200151128106836038
History Adv Opt DT2026200------
History Adv Opt EA2026200887360483624
History Adv Opt EB2026200------
History Adv Opt ED2026200------
History Adv Opt EE2026200------
History Adv Opt EM2026200------
History Adv Opt ES202620012511760785839
History Adv Opt FC2026200------
History Adv Opt FF2026200------
History Adv Opt FG2026200------
History Adv Opt FH202620012011356755637
History Adv Opt FJ2026200------
History Adv Opt FK2026200------
History Adv Opt FL202620012411660775839
History Adv Opt FN202620012311659765737
History Adv Opt FO202620012611960785737
History Adv Opt FP202620012411659785941
History Adv Opt FQ202620013012362805837
History Adv Opt FR202620012611960785737
History Adv Opt FT2026200------
History Adv Opt GC2026200------
History Adv Opt GF202620012511761785939
History Adv Opt GG202620012611862796041
History Adv Opt GH202620011811056735638
History Adv Opt GJ2026200------
History Adv Opt GK2026200------
History Adv Opt GL2026200------
History Adv Opt GN202620012111358755638
History Adv Opt GO2026200------
History Adv Opt GP2026200------
History Adv Opt GQ202620012812062795838
History Adv Opt GR202620012511759775838
History Adv Opt GT2026200------
History Adv Opt HA202620012511860775737
History Adv Opt HB202620012611862796041
History Adv Opt HD202620012812162795838
History Adv Opt HE202620013112463805938
History Adv Opt HM202620012912262795837
History Adv Opt HS202620012711860785737
History Adv Opt JC2026200------
History Adv Opt JF202620012812062795940
History Adv Opt JG202620012912162806041
History Adv Opt JH202620012111357765738
History Adv Opt JJ2026200------
History Adv Opt JK2026200------
History Adv Opt JL202620012511760785940
History Adv Opt JN202620012411659775738
History Adv Opt JO202620012711961785838
History Adv Opt JP2026200------
History Adv Opt JQ2026200------
History Adv Opt JR202620012712060795838
History Adv Opt JT2026200------
History Adv Opt KA202620012611861775737
History Adv Opt KB2026200------
History Adv Opt KD202620012912163795838
History Adv Opt KE202620013212464815938
History Adv Opt KM202620013012263795837
History Adv Opt KS202620012611961775737
History Adv Opt LA2026200------
History Adv Opt LB202620012812164816142
History Adv Opt LD2026200------
History Adv Opt LE202620013312665826039
History Adv Opt LM202620013212464816039
History Adv Opt LS202620012812162795939
History Option AA2026200147125104836242
History Option AB2026200154132109866340
History Option AD2026200147125102795735
History Option AE2026200153131106815632
History Option AM2026200148126103815937
History Option AS2026200152130106836037
History Option BB2026200156134110866238
History Option BD2026200149127103795633
History Option BE2026200155133107815530
History Option BM2026200150128104815835
History Option BS2026200154132107835935
History Option CF2026200152130107846240
History Option CG202620014312199775533
History Option CH2026200144122100785634
History Option CJ202620014412299765331
History Option CK2026200147125103826140
History Option CL2026200149127105836140
History Option CN2026200144123101795837
History Option CO202620013711594735231
History Option CP2026200150128105826038
History Option CQ2026200149126103805734
History Option CR2026200147127104826038
History Option CT2026200149127104815937
History Option DC2026200163141115896439
History Option DG2026200151129105825936
History Option DH2026200152130106836037
History Option DJ2026200152130106825834
History Option DK2026200155133110876543
History Option DL2026200157135112896643
History Option DN2026200153131108856240
History Option DO2026200145123100785634
History Option DP2026200158136112886441
History Option DQ2026200156134109856137
History Option DR2026200157135111876441
History Option DT2026200157135111876340
History Option EB2026200154132108846138
History Option EE2026200153131105805530
History Option EM2026200148126103805735
History Option ES2026200152130106825835
History Option FF2026200162140116937047
History Option FH2026200154132109866341
History Option FJ2026200154132108846138
History Option FL2026200159137114916947
History Option FN2026200155133110886644
History Option FO2026200147125103815938
History Option FP2026200160138114916845
History Option FQ2026200158136112886441
History Option FR2026200159137114916845
History Option FT2026200159137113906744
History Option GC2026200163141115896439
History Option GF2026200160138114906643
History Option GG2026200151129105825936
History Option GH2026200152130106836037
History Option GL2026200157135112896643
History Option GN2026200153131108856240
History Option GO2026200145123100785634
History Option GQ2026200156134109856137
History Option GR2026200157135111876441
History Option HA202620014111999795940
History Option HB2026200148126104826038
History Option HD202620014111997755433
History Option HE2026200147125101775330
History Option HM202620014212098775635
History Option HS2026200147124101795735
History Option JF2026200162140117947148
History Option JG2026200153131108856341
History Option JH2026200154132109866442
History Option JL2026200159137114927048
History Option JN2026200155133111896745
History Option JO2026200147125103816039
History Option JP2026200160138115926946
History Option JQ2026200158136112886542
History Option JR2026200159137114916846
History Option KA2026200147125105866748
History Option KB2026200154132110886746
History Option KD2026200147125104836241
History Option KE2026200153131107846138
History Option KM2026200148126105846343
History Option KS2026200152130108866443
History Option LB2026200153131107846138
History Option LD2026200146124101785533
History Option LE2026200152130105805530
History Option LM2026200147125102795735
History Option LS2026200151129105815835
History Adv Option AS2026200160137114916845
Law Adv Option A20263002081811481168453
Law Adv Option B20263002061781471168555
Mathematics Adv20263002281931371269361
Media Studies Adv20262401921721441168860
Modern Hebrew Adv202640023720617614611788
Music Adv202630021019014014111793
Panjabi Adv2026400276235205175145115
Philosophy Adv2026200150128104795531
Physical Education Adv202630018817512712810583
Physics Adv Option A2026250125148-1027957
Physics Adv (Astrophysics)2026250169147101977248
Physics Adv (Electronics)20262501741521041007549
Physics Adv (Engineering)2026250170147101977348
Physics Adv (Medical)2026250169146101977248
Physics Adv (Turning Points)2026250169147101977247
Polish Adv2026400318261224188152116
Politics Adv2026231173148122967146
Psychology Adv20262881991871151249362
Religious Studies Adv Option A2026200162144100896235
Religious Studies Adv Option B2026200164146102916437
Religious Studies Adv Option C2026200968266513620
Religious Studies Adv Option D2026200162145100896235
Religious Studies Adv Option E2026200968267513620
Sociology Adv20262401721631041169269
Spanish Adv Teacher Cond Opt202640031128219919014499
Spanish Adv Visiting Exr Opt2026400328305205209161113
Spanish Adv Visit Opt202640032728223318413587
Art & Des Adv (3d Design)2026480399370313257201145
Art & Des Adv (art,craft & Des)2026480399370313257201145
Art & Des Adv (fine Art)2026480399370313257201145
Art & Des Adv (graphic Com)2026480399370313257201145
Art & Des Adv (photography)2026480409390336282228175
Art & Des Adv (textile Design)2026480399370313257201145
Comp Sci Adv (c#)202637530024520115711369
Comp Sci Adv (java)202637530024520115711369
Comp Sci Adv (python)202637530024520115711369
Comp Sci Adv (vb.net)202637530024520115711369
D&t: Fashion and Textiles Adv2026400331305264223182142
D&t: Product Design Adv2026400317291250209168127
Drama and Theatre Adv20262001591451251058566
English Lang and Lit Adv202625020719116313510881
English Lit B Adv Option Aa2026375317283241199157115
English Lit B Adv Option Ab2026375313277237197157117
English Lit B Adv Option Ba2026375336301260219178137
English Lit B Adv Option Bb2026375330295256217178139
Further Maths Adv Option Ds202630024320417013610269
Further Maths Adv Option Md202630023720116913810776
Further Maths Adv Option Sm20263002411991651329966
History Adv Option Dl2026200163141117947148
Physics Adv (astrophysics)20262501821521261007550
Physics Adv (electronics)20262501851531271017651
Physics Adv (engineering)20262501901551291037751
Physics Adv (medical)2026250181148123987450
Physics Adv (turning Points)20262501841511261017651

Disclaimer: These are not the official grade boundaries for 2026. They are calculated averages based on historical data and should be used as a rough guide only. Actual grade boundaries are set by the exam boards after all exam papers have been marked.

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AQA A Level Grade Boundaries 2025

Look back at last year’s AQA A Level grade boundaries to get an idea of what to expect in 2026:

SubjectYearMaximum MarkA*ABCDE
Accounting Adv20252401831581351129068
Art & Des Adv (3d Design)2025480399370313257201145
Art & Des Adv (art,craft & Des)2025480399370313257201145
Art & Des Adv (fine Art)2025480399370313257201145
Art & Des Adv (graphic Com)2025480399370313257201145
Art & Des Adv (photography)2025480409390336282228175
Art & Des Adv (textile Design)2025480399370313257201145
Bengali Adv2025400301263225187150113
Biblical Hebrew Adv202530022119116413711084
Biology Adv20252601921651391138863
Business Adv202530021919716813911082
Chemistry Adv20253002391971621279359
Comp Sci Adv (c#)202537530024520115711369
Comp Sci Adv (java)202537530024520115711369
Comp Sci Adv (python)202537530024520115711369
Comp Sci Adv (vb.net)202537530024520115711369
Dance Adv20252001561391211048770
D&t: Fashion and Textiles Adv2025400331305264223182142
D&t: Product Design Adv2025400317291250209168127
Drama and Theatre Adv20252001591451251058566
Economics Adv20252401771531301078461
English Language Adv2025500433397341285229174
English Lang and Lit Adv202525020719116313510881
English Lit A Adv Option A2025375321286244203162121
English Lit A Adv Option B2025375326294250206162119
English Lit B Adv Option Aa2025375317283241199157115
English Lit B Adv Option Ab2025375313277237197157117
English Lit B Adv Option Ba2025375336301260219178137
English Lit B Adv Option Bb2025375330295256217178139
Environmental Science Adv20252401721551311088562
French Adv Teacher Cond Option2025400360322283244205167
French Adv Visiting Exr Option2025400360322283244205167
Further Maths Adv Option Ds202530024320417013610269
Further Maths Adv Option Md202530023720116913810776
Further Maths Adv Option Sm20253002411991651329966
Geography Adv202530024121318315312394
German Adv Teacher Cond Option2025400351306259212165119
German Adv Visiting Exr Option2025400351306259212165119
History Adv Option AA2025200157135111886542
History Adv Option AB2025200159137113896643
History Adv Option AD2025200158136112886441
History Adv Option AE2025200159137114916846
History Adv Option AM2025200150128106856443
History Adv Option AS2025200157135111876441
History Adv Option BB2025200164142118947046
History Adv Option BD2025200163141116926844
History Adv Option BE2025200164142118957249
History Adv Option BM2025200155133111896746
History Adv Option BS2025200162140116926844
History Adv Option CF2025200162140117947149
History Adv Option CG2025200160138115927048
History Adv Option CH2025200155133111896746
History Adv Option CJ2025200161139117957352
History Adv Option CK2025200157135112896644
History Adv Option CL2025200158136113906846
History Adv Option CN2025200156135113916948
History Adv Option CO2025200160139117957352
History Adv Option CP2025200160138116947352
History Adv Option CQ2025200160138116947250
History Adv Option CR2025200162140117947250
History Adv Option CT2025200160138116947352
History Adv Option DG2025200165143119967350
History Adv Option DH2025200160138115927048
History Adv Option DJ2025200166144121987654
History Adv Option DK2025200162140116926946
History Adv Option Dl2025200163141117947148
History Adv Option DN2025200162140117947250
History Adv Option DO2025200166144121987654
History Adv Option DP2025200165143120987654
History Adv Option DQ2025200165143120977452
History Adv Option DR2025200167145121987552
History Adv Option EA2025200155133112917050
History Adv Option EE2025200157135114947454
History Adv Option EM2025200148126107886951
History Adv Option ES2025200155133112917049
History Adv Option FC2025200160138115926946
History Adv Option FF2025200163141117947148
History Adv Option FG2025200161139116937047
History Adv Option FH2025200156134111896745
History Adv Option FJ2025200162140117957351
History Adv Option FL2025200159137114916845
History Adv Option FN2025200158136113916947
History Adv Option FO2025200162140117957351
History Adv Option FP2025200161139117957351
History Adv Option FQ2025200161139116937149
History Adv Option FR2025200163141118957249
History Adv Option FT2025200161139117957351
History Adv Option GF2025200159137114916947
History Adv Option GG2025200157135112906846
History Adv Option GH2025200152130108866544
History Adv Option GK2025200154132109866442
History Adv Option GL2025200155133110886644
History Adv Option GN2025200154132110886746
History Adv Option GO2025200158136114927150
History Adv Option GP2025200157135113927150
History Adv Option GQ2025200157135113916948
History Adv Option GR2025200159137114927048
History Adv Option HA2025200154132110886645
History Adv Option HB2025200156134112906846
History Adv Option HD2025200155133110886644
History Adv Option HE2025200156134112917049
History Adv Option HM2025200147125105856546
History Adv Option HS2025200159132110886644
History Adv Option JF2025200158136113906745
History Adv Option JG2025200156134111886644
History Adv Option JH2025200151129107856342
History Adv Option JJ2025200157135113916948
History Adv Option JL2025200154132109866442
History Adv Option JN2025200153131109876544
History Adv Option JO2025200157135113916948
History Adv Option JP2025200156134112906948
History Adv Option JQ2025200156134112906846
History Adv Option JR2025200158136113906846
History Adv Option JT2025200156134112906948
History Adv Option KA2025200159137114927048
History Adv Option KB2025200161139116937149
History Adv Option KD2025200160138115926947
History Adv Option KE2025200161139117957352
History Adv Option KM2025200152130109896949
History Adv Option KS2025200159137114916947
History Adv Option LA2025200157135112906846
History Adv Option LB2025200159137114916947
History Adv Option LD2025200158136113906745
History Adv Option LE2025200159137115937150
History Adv Option LM2025200150128107876747
History Adv Option LS2025200156135112896745
Law Adv Option A20253002091851531229160
Law Adv Option B20253002131861551249362
Mathematics Adv202530026022118314510871
Media Studies Adv202524020318415612910275
Modern Hebrew Adv2025400297260223186150114
Music Adv2025300249222194167140113
Panjabi Adv2025400261232203174145116
Philosophy Adv2025200158136110845833
Physical Education Adv202530022320517815112599
Physics Adv (astrophysics)20252501821521261007550
Physics Adv (electronics)20252501851531271017651
Physics Adv (engineering)20252501901551291037751
Physics Adv (medical)2025250181148123987450
Physics Adv (turning Points)20252501841511261017651
Polish Adv2025400327265228191154117
Politics Adv2025231175149122967044
Psychology Adv20252882221981631289460
Religious Studies Adv Option A2025200173148122967146
Religious Studies Adv Option B2025200173148122967146
Religious Studies Adv Option C2025200173148122967146
Religious Studies Adv Option D2025200173148122967146
Religious Studies Adv Option E2025200173148122967146
Sociology Adv20252401901711471239976
Spanish Adv Teacher Cond Opt2025400349313266219173127
Spanish Adv Visiting Exr Opt2025400349313266219173127
Source: AQA

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What to do after the 2026 AQA A Level grade boundaries are released: Next steps

Once the 2026 AQA A Level grade boundaries are published on results day, it’s natural to want to compare your marks to the thresholds to see how you did. Here’s what to do next, whether you’ve secured your university place or just missed the mark.

1. Check your results against the boundaries

Look at your raw marks and compare them to the official grade boundaries for your exam board. This will show you how close you were to each grade and whether it's worth considering a review of marking.

2. Understand what it means for you

If you didn't get the results you were hoping for, don't worry. You're not alone, and there are still plenty of ways forward. Whether you're considering resitting your A Levels or just want to boost your confidence before embarking on your next steps, our A Level revision resources are here to get you back on track.

3. Prepare for further study

Not everyone will choose to continue with their studies, but if you're heading to university, check out our University Acceptance Rates data. You can see how your A Level results compare to typical university offers and explore your options with confidence. Our guide to university Clearing is also a great place to start if you didn't get the grades you were hoping for and want to find a course that's right for you.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)

Grade boundaries are typically released at 8:00am on results day, just before students receive their official grades. In the meantime, you can use our 2026 grade boundary averages to get an idea of what the AQA A Level grade boundaries may look like.

We'll be updating our comprehensive AQA A Level grade boundaries resource as soon as the 2026 grade boundaries have been published, so be sure to visit this page on results day for live updates. Each exam board will also publish their results on their official websites. Once they're released, you'll be able to find them here:

After exams have taken place, senior examiners from each exam board review how students have performed. They look closely at:

  • How difficult the paper was compared to previous years.
  • The quality of student responses across the country.
  • Whether certain questions were considered unexpectedly hard or easy.

Ofqual asks exam boards to follow a rule called 'comparable outcomes'. This means that students with similar ability levels should get roughly the same grades each year, even if the exams are considered more or less difficult.

Grade boundaries show exactly how many marks you need to achieve each grade, whether that's a 9, 7 or 5 at GCSE, or an A, B or C at A Level.

For example, if the grade boundary for a grade 6 at GCSE is 61 marks, then a student who scores 63 would be awarded a grade 6.

If a paper is harder than expected, the grade boundaries may be lower, meaning students need fewer marks than usual to achieve a particular grade