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 work out how you've performed.

Grade boundaries are the number of marks you need to hit each grade. It's important to know that they aren't fixed. They shift slightly each year based on how the entire year group finds the exam.

If your paper is particularly difficult, the boundaries might drop to balance things out. Found a paper surprisingly manageable? The boundaries may rise slightly. This system keeps things fair, so students aren't penalised just because they sat a tougher exam than the year before.

This page shows average grade boundaries for AQA A Level exams from the past 8 years. These aren't predictions, but they give you a solid idea of what boundaries normally look like.

We'll update this page the moment official 2026 boundaries drop, so bookmark it now and sign up for alerts below.

Add as a preferred source on Google

Sign up for articles sent directly to your inbox

Receive news, articles and guides directly from our team of experts.

Average Grade Boundaries 2026

We've crunched the numbers from the past 8 years to work out average grade boundaries for AQA A Level exams. Think of these as your benchmark. It's a way to see what boundaries have typically been in recent years.

All data comes from our Grade Boundary Archive, which tracks consistent patterns across multiple exam sessions.

Source: AQA · Calculated by Save My Exams

Subject	Max	A*	A	B	C	D	E
Accounting Adv	240	171	145	123	101	79	57
Art & Design Adv (3D Design)	480	304	283	241	200	159	119
Art & Design Adv (Art Craft & Des)	480	312	291	250	210	169	129
Art & Design Adv (Fine Art)	480	304	283	241	200	159	119
Art & Design Adv (Graphic Comm)	480	312	291	250	210	169	129
Art & Design Adv (Photography)	480	313	297	259	220	182	144
Art & Design Adv (Textile Design)	480	304	283	241	200	159	119
Art & Design Adv (Graphic Com)	96	292	271	229	188	147	106
Art & Design Adv(Art,Craft & Des)	96	239	222	188	154	120	86
Art & Design Adv (Art,Craft & Des)	480	399	370	313	257	201	145
Bengali Adv	400	297	253	218	182	147	112
Biblical Hebrew Adv	300	179	153	131	109	87	65
Biology Adv	260	178	150	125	100	76	52
Business Adv	300	216	192	163	134	105	76
Chemistry Adv	300	242	200	164	129	94	58
Computer Science Adv (C#)	375	291	242	199	157	114	71
Computer Science Adv (Java)	375	291	242	199	157	114	71
Computer Science Adv (Pascal/Delphi)	375	291	242	199	157	114	71
Computer Science Adv (Python)	375	291	242	199	157	114	71
Computer Science Adv (Vb.Net)	375	267	222	182	141	101	61
Comp Sci Adv (C#)	375	291	233	188	144	99	55
Comp Sci Adv (Java)	375	291	233	188	144	99	55
Comp Sci Adv (Python)	375	291	233	188	144	99	55
Comp Sci Adv (Vb.Net)	375	291	233	188	144	99	55
Dance Adv	200	133	121	105	90	75	60
D&T Product Design Adv	400	219	193	163	132	102	73
D&T: Fashion And Textiles Adv	400	272	241	206	171	136	102
D&T: Product Design Adv	400	303	274	232	190	149	108
Drama And Theatre Adv	200	143	128	110	92	74	57
Economics Adv	240	183	157	134	110	87	64
English Language Adv	500	419	377	321	266	211	156
English Language And Literature Adv	250	189	169	144	119	94	70
English Lang And Lit Adv	250	201	184	156	128	100	73
English Literature A Adv Option A	375	292	256	216	176	137	97
English Literature A Adv Option B	375	297	259	217	175	133	92
English Literature B Adv Option AA	375	280	244	207	170	134	97
English Literature B Adv Option AB	375	285	247	211	174	139	103
English Literature B Adv Option BA	375	293	256	216	176	137	98
English Literature B Adv Option BB	375	296	259	220	181	143	104
English Lit A Adv Option A	375	310	275	232	191	149	107
English Lit A Adv Option B	375	320	286	241	196	152	107
English Lit B Adv Option AA	375	306	269	228	188	147	106
English Lit B Adv Option AB	375	310	275	233	192	150	109
English Lit B Adv Option BA	375	328	293	251	209	167	125
English Lit B Adv Option BB	375	334	299	256	213	170	128
Environmental Science Adv	240	171	154	130	106	83	60
French Adv Teacher Cond Option	400	336	298	256	215	174	133
French Adv Visiting Exr Option	400	357	319	277	234	192	151
French Adv Visit Option	400	336	294	249	204	159	115
Further Maths Adv Option DS	300	217	178	146	115	83	52
Further Maths Adv Option MD	300	210	172	141	111	81	51
Further Maths Adv Option SM	300	211	172	140	109	77	46
Further Mathematics Adv Option DS	300	198	152	124	96	69	42
Further Mathematics Adv Option MD	300	195	149	122	95	68	42
Further Mathematics Adv Option SM	300	193	147	120	93	67	41
Geography Adv	300	225	196	166	136	107	77
German Adv Teacher Cond Option	400	325	269	224	179	135	90
German Adv Visiting Exr Option	400	347	293	245	198	151	104
German Adv Visit Option	400	329	263	217	171	126	81
History Adv Opt AA	200	138	115	95	76	56	37
History Adv Opt AB	200	139	116	97	78	59	41
History Adv Opt AD	200	52	44	37	30	23	16
History Adv Opt AE	200	53	45	38	31	23	16
History Adv Opt AM	200	53	45	38	30	23	16
History Adv Opt AS	200	139	116	96	76	57	37
History Adv Opt BA	200	54	46	39	32	25	19
History Adv Opt BB	200	144	121	103	84	66	48
History Adv Opt BD	200	146	123	103	84	64	45
History Adv Opt BE	200	56	48	40	33	26	19
History Adv Opt BM	200	55	47	40	33	26	19
History Adv Opt BS	200	144	121	102	82	63	45
History Adv Opt CF	200	139	116	97	77	58	39
History Adv Opt CG	200	140	117	98	78	59	40
History Adv Opt CH	200	133	110	91	73	55	37
History Adv Opt CJ	200	138	115	95	76	57	37
History Adv Opt CK	200	134	111	92	74	56	39
History Adv Opt CL	200	136	113	94	76	57	39
History Adv Opt CN	200	137	113	93	74	56	37
History Adv Opt CO	200	139	116	96	76	57	37
History Adv Opt CP	200	52	44	37	30	24	17
History Adv Opt CQ	200	140	120	99	78	58	37
History Adv Opt CR	200	140	116	96	77	57	37
History Adv Opt CT	200	51	43	36	29	22	16
History Adv Opt DC	200	57	49	41	33	24	16
History Adv Opt DG	200	56	48	40	32	24	16
History Adv Opt DH	200	145	122	100	79	59	38
History Adv Opt DJ	200	150	127	105	82	60	38
History Adv Opt DK	200	53	45	38	30	23	16
History Adv Opt DL	200	148	125	104	82	61	40
History Adv Opt DN	200	148	125	102	81	59	38
History Adv Opt DO	200	151	128	105	83	60	38
History Adv Opt DP	200	56	48	40	32	25	17
History Adv Opt DQ	200	57	49	41	32	24	16
History Adv Opt DR	200	151	128	106	83	60	38
History Adv Opt DT	200	55	47	39	31	23	16
History Adv Opt EA	200	-	-	-	-	-	-
History Adv Opt EB	200	51	43	36	29	22	16
History Adv Opt ED	200	-	-	-	-	-	-
History Adv Opt EE	200	54	46	38	31	23	16
History Adv Opt EM	200	53	45	38	30	23	16
History Adv Opt ES	200	140	117	97	78	58	39
History Adv Opt FC	200	-	-	-	-	-	-
History Adv Opt FF	200	53	45	38	30	23	16
History Adv Opt FG	200	-	-	-	-	-	-
History Adv Opt FH	200	136	113	94	75	56	37
History Adv Opt FJ	200	54	46	38	30	23	16
History Adv Opt FK	200	-	-	-	-	-	-
History Adv Opt FL	200	139	116	97	77	58	39
History Adv Opt FN	200	139	116	96	76	57	37
History Adv Opt FO	200	142	119	98	78	57	37
History Adv Opt FP	200	139	116	97	78	59	41
History Adv Opt FQ	200	146	123	101	80	58	37
History Adv Opt FR	200	142	119	98	78	57	37
History Adv Opt FT	200	52	44	37	30	23	16
History Adv Opt GC	200	53	45	38	31	23	16
History Adv Opt GF	200	140	117	97	78	59	39
History Adv Opt GG	200	141	118	98	79	60	41
History Adv Opt GH	200	133	110	92	73	56	38
History Adv Opt GJ	200	-	-	-	-	-	-
History Adv Opt GK	200	-	-	-	-	-	-
History Adv Opt GL	200	51	43	36	29	23	16
History Adv Opt GN	200	136	113	94	75	56	38
History Adv Opt GO	200	52	44	37	30	23	16
History Adv Opt GP	200	-	-	-	-	-	-
History Adv Opt GQ	200	143	120	99	79	58	38
History Adv Opt GR	200	140	117	97	77	58	38
History Adv Opt GT	200	-	-	-	-	-	-
History Adv Opt HA	200	141	118	97	77	57	37
History Adv Opt HB	200	141	118	99	79	60	41
History Adv Opt HD	200	144	121	100	79	58	38
History Adv Opt HE	200	146	124	102	80	59	38
History Adv Opt HM	200	145	122	101	79	58	37
History Adv Opt HS	200	143	118	98	78	57	37
History Adv Opt JC	200	-	-	-	-	-	-
History Adv Opt JF	200	143	120	100	79	59	40
History Adv Opt JG	200	144	121	101	80	60	41
History Adv Opt JH	200	136	113	94	76	57	38
History Adv Opt JJ	200	-	-	-	-	-	-
History Adv Opt JK	200	-	-	-	-	-	-
History Adv Opt JL	200	140	117	97	78	59	40
History Adv Opt JN	200	139	116	96	77	57	38
History Adv Opt JO	200	142	119	99	78	58	38
History Adv Opt JP	200	54	46	39	32	25	18
History Adv Opt JQ	200	55	47	39	31	24	17
History Adv Opt JR	200	143	120	99	79	58	38
History Adv Opt JT	200	52	44	37	30	23	17
History Adv Opt KA	200	141	118	97	77	57	37
History Adv Opt KB	200	51	43	36	29	22	16
History Adv Opt KD	200	144	121	100	79	58	38
History Adv Opt KE	200	147	124	102	81	59	38
History Adv Opt KM	200	145	122	101	79	58	37
History Adv Opt KS	200	141	119	98	77	57	37
History Adv Opt LA	200	53	45	37	30	23	16
History Adv Opt LB	200	144	121	100	81	61	42
History Adv Opt LD	200	54	46	38	31	23	16
History Adv Opt LE	200	149	126	104	82	60	39
History Adv Opt LM	200	147	124	103	81	60	39
History Adv Opt LS	200	144	121	100	79	59	39
History Option AA	200	147	125	104	83	62	42
History Option AB	200	154	132	109	86	63	40
History Option AD	200	147	125	102	79	57	35
History Option AE	200	153	131	106	81	56	32
History Option AM	200	148	126	103	81	59	37
History Option AS	200	152	130	106	83	60	37
History Option BB	200	156	134	110	86	62	38
History Option BD	200	149	127	103	79	56	33
History Option BE	200	155	133	107	81	55	30
History Option BM	200	150	128	104	81	58	35
History Option BS	200	154	132	107	83	59	35
History Option CF	200	152	130	107	84	62	40
History Option CG	200	143	121	99	77	55	33
History Option CH	200	144	122	100	78	56	34
History Option CJ	200	144	122	99	76	53	31
History Option CK	200	147	125	103	82	61	40
History Option CL	200	149	127	105	83	61	40
History Option CN	200	144	123	101	79	58	37
History Option CO	200	137	115	94	73	52	31
History Option CP	200	150	128	105	82	60	38
History Option CQ	200	149	126	103	80	57	34
History Option CR	200	147	127	104	82	60	38
History Option CT	200	149	127	104	81	59	37
History Option DC	200	163	141	115	89	64	39
History Option DG	200	151	129	105	82	59	36
History Option DH	200	152	130	106	83	60	37
History Option DJ	200	152	130	106	82	58	34
History Option DK	200	155	133	110	87	65	43
History Option DL	200	157	135	112	89	66	43
History Option DN	200	153	131	108	85	62	40
History Option DO	200	145	123	100	78	56	34
History Option DP	200	158	136	112	88	64	41
History Option DQ	200	156	134	109	85	61	37
History Option DR	200	157	135	111	87	64	41
History Option DT	200	157	135	111	87	63	40
History Option EB	200	154	132	108	84	61	38
History Option EE	200	153	131	105	80	55	30
History Option EM	200	148	126	103	80	57	35
History Option ES	200	152	130	106	82	58	35
History Option FF	200	162	140	116	93	70	47
History Option FH	200	154	132	109	86	63	41
History Option FJ	200	154	132	108	84	61	38
History Option FL	200	159	137	114	91	69	47
History Option FN	200	155	133	110	88	66	44
History Option FO	200	147	125	103	81	59	38
History Option FP	200	160	138	114	91	68	45
History Option FQ	200	158	136	112	88	64	41
History Option FR	200	159	137	114	91	68	45
History Option FT	200	159	137	113	90	67	44
History Option GC	200	163	141	115	89	64	39
History Option GF	200	160	138	114	90	66	43
History Option GG	200	151	129	105	82	59	36
History Option GH	200	152	130	106	83	60	37
History Option GL	200	157	135	112	89	66	43
History Option GN	200	153	131	108	85	62	40
History Option GO	200	145	123	100	78	56	34
History Option GQ	200	156	134	109	85	61	37
History Option GR	200	157	135	111	87	64	41
History Option HA	200	141	119	99	79	59	40
History Option HB	200	148	126	104	82	60	38
History Option HD	200	141	119	97	75	54	33
History Option HE	200	147	125	101	77	53	30
History Option HM	200	142	120	98	77	56	35
History Option HS	200	147	124	101	79	57	35
History Option JF	200	162	140	117	94	71	48
History Option JG	200	153	131	108	85	63	41
History Option JH	200	154	132	109	86	64	42
History Option JL	200	159	137	114	92	70	48
History Option JN	200	155	133	111	89	67	45
History Option JO	200	147	125	103	81	60	39
History Option JP	200	160	138	115	92	69	46
History Option JQ	200	158	136	112	88	65	42
History Option JR	200	159	137	114	91	68	46
History Option KA	200	147	125	105	86	67	48
History Option KB	200	154	132	110	88	67	46
History Option KD	200	147	125	104	83	62	41
History Option KE	200	153	131	107	84	61	38
History Option KM	200	148	126	105	84	63	43
History Option KS	200	152	130	108	86	64	43
History Option LB	200	153	131	107	84	61	38
History Option LD	200	146	124	101	78	55	33
History Option LE	200	152	130	105	80	55	30
History Option LM	200	147	125	102	79	57	35
History Option LS	200	151	129	105	81	58	35
History Adv Option AA	200	158	135	112	90	67	45
History Adv Option AB	200	162	138	115	92	69	47
History Adv Option AD	200	158	136	113	90	68	45
History Adv Option AM	200	152	133	111	89	67	46
History Adv Option AS	200	160	136	113	90	68	46
History Adv Option BB	200	167	143	120	96	74	51
History Adv Option BD	200	163	142	118	95	72	49
History Adv Option BE	200	165	145	122	98	75	52
History Adv Option BM	200	159	138	115	93	72	50
History Adv Option BS	200	166	141	118	95	72	50
History Adv Option CF	200	162	139	116	93	70	48
History Adv Option CG	200	156	135	113	90	69	47
History Adv Option CH	200	155	133	111	89	68	46
History Adv Option CJ	200	158	136	115	93	71	50
History Adv Option CK	200	156	133	111	89	67	46
History Adv Option CL	200	155	133	111	89	68	47
History Adv Option CN	200	156	133	111	90	68	47
History Adv Option CO	200	160	139	116	94	72	50
History Adv Option CP	200	158	136	114	93	72	50
History Adv Option CQ	200	161	138	116	93	71	49
History Adv Option CR	200	160	137	115	92	70	48
History Adv Option CT	200	161	137	115	92	70	48
History Adv Option DC	200	168	144	120	97	74	51
History Adv Option DG	200	163	142	119	96	73	50
History Adv Option DH	200	162	139	116	94	72	50
History Adv Option DJ	200	164	143	120	98	75	54
History Adv Option DK	200	165	140	117	94	72	50
History Adv Option DL	200	163	140	117	95	73	51
History Adv Option DN	200	162	140	117	94	72	50
History Adv Option DO	200	167	145	122	99	76	53
History Adv Option DP	200	167	143	120	98	76	54
History Adv Option DQ	200	168	145	122	98	75	52
History Adv Option DR	200	167	144	120	97	74	51
History Adv Option DT	200	169	145	121	97	74	51
History Adv Option EA	200	-	-	-	-	-	-
History Adv Option EB	200	158	137	116	94	73	52
History Adv Option ED	200	-	-	-	-	-	-
History Adv Option EE	200	163	139	117	96	74	53
History Adv Option ES	200	159	135	114	93	72	51
History Adv Option FF	200	165	141	118	95	72	49
History Adv Option FG	200	164	138	115	93	70	48
History Adv Option FH	200	158	135	113	91	69	48
History Adv Option FJ	200	161	139	117	95	73	52
History Adv Option FL	200	161	136	114	92	70	48
History Adv Option FN	200	158	136	113	92	70	48
History Adv Option FO	200	163	141	118	96	73	51
History Adv Option FP	200	162	139	117	95	73	52
History Adv Option FQ	200	164	141	118	95	73	50
History Adv Option FR	200	163	140	117	94	72	49
History Adv Option FT	200	163	140	117	94	72	50
History Adv Option GF	200	159	137	114	92	69	48
History Adv Option GG	200	154	133	111	89	68	47
History Adv Option GH	200	154	131	109	88	67	46
History Adv Option GL	200	155	131	110	88	67	47
History Adv Option GN	200	157	131	110	88	67	46
History Adv Option GO	200	158	137	114	92	71	50
History Adv Option GQ	200	160	136	114	92	70	48
History Adv Option GR	200	159	135	113	91	69	48
History Adv Option HA	200	154	131	110	88	67	46
History Adv Option HB	200	156	133	112	90	69	47
History Adv Option HD	200	154	132	110	89	67	46
History Adv Option HE	200	159	136	114	92	70	48
History Adv Option HM	200	151	128	108	87	67	46
History Adv Option HS	200	156	132	110	88	67	46
History Adv Option JC	200	-	-	-	-	-	-
History Adv Option JF	200	161	138	115	92	69	47
History Adv Option JG	200	158	134	112	89	68	46
History Adv Option JH	200	154	132	110	88	66	45
History Adv Option JJ	200	-	-	-	-	-	-
History Adv Option JL	200	155	133	111	89	67	46
History Adv Option JN	200	157	132	110	89	67	46
History Adv Option JO	200	161	138	115	93	71	49
History Adv Option JP	200	159	136	114	92	71	49
History Adv Option JQ	200	161	138	115	92	70	48
History Adv Option JR	200	158	136	113	91	69	47
History Adv Option KA	200	160	135	113	91	69	48
History Adv Option KB	200	160	137	115	93	71	50
History Adv Option KD	200	161	136	113	91	69	48
History Adv Option KE	200	164	140	117	95	72	50
History Adv Option KM	200	156	132	111	90	69	49
History Adv Option KS	200	158	136	113	91	69	48
History Adv Option LA	200	159	134	112	90	68	46
History Adv Option LB	200	159	136	114	91	70	48
History Adv Option LD	200	158	135	113	90	68	46
History Adv Option LE	200	161	139	116	93	71	49
History Adv Option LM	200	156	131	110	89	68	47
History Adv Option LS	200	157	135	112	90	68	47
History Adv Option AE	200	166	139	116	93	70	48
History Adv Option EM	200	153	132	112	92	72	52
History Adv Option GK	200	-	-	-	-	-	-
History Adv Option GP	200	155	134	113	92	71	51
Law Adv Option A	300	208	181	148	116	84	53
Law Adv Option B	300	206	178	147	116	85	55
Mathematics Adv	300	238	193	160	126	93	61
Media Studies Adv	240	192	172	144	116	88	60
Modern Hebrew Adv	400	237	206	176	146	117	88
Music Adv	300	219	190	165	141	117	93
Panjabi Adv	400	276	235	205	175	145	115
Philosophy Adv	200	150	128	104	79	55	31
Physical Education Adv	300	194	175	152	128	105	83
Physics Adv (Astrophysics)	250	179	147	122	97	72	48
Physics Adv (Electronics)	250	183	152	126	100	75	49
Physics Adv (Engineering)	250	179	147	122	97	73	48
Physics Adv (Medical)	250	178	146	121	97	72	48
Physics Adv (Turning Points)	250	178	147	122	97	72	47
Polish Adv	400	318	261	224	188	152	116
Politics Adv	231	173	148	122	96	71	46
Psychology Adv	288	212	187	156	124	93	62
Religious Studies Adv Option A	200	170	144	117	89	62	35
Religious Studies Adv Option B	200	172	146	118	91	64	37
Religious Studies Adv Option C	200	120	102	83	63	44	26
Religious Studies Adv Option D	200	170	145	117	89	62	35
Religious Studies Adv Option E	200	120	102	83	64	45	26
Sociology Adv	240	182	163	139	116	92	69
Spanish Adv Teacher Cond Opt	400	323	282	236	190	144	99
Spanish Adv Visiting Exr Opt	400	345	305	257	209	161	113
Spanish Adv Visit Opt	400	327	282	233	184	135	87
Art & Design Adv (3d Design)	480	399	370	313	257	201	145
Art & Design Adv (art,craft & Des)	480	399	370	313	257	201	145
Art & Design Adv (fine Art)	480	399	370	313	257	201	145
Art & Design Adv (graphic Com)	480	399	370	313	257	201	145
Art & Design Adv (photography)	480	409	390	336	282	228	175
Art & Design Adv (textile Design)	480	399	370	313	257	201	145
Comp Sci Adv (c#)	375	300	245	201	157	113	69
Comp Sci Adv (java)	375	300	245	201	157	113	69
Comp Sci Adv (python)	375	300	245	201	157	113	69
Comp Sci Adv (vb.net)	375	300	245	201	157	113	69
D&t: Fashion and Textiles Adv	400	331	305	264	223	182	142
D&t: Product Design Adv	400	317	291	250	209	168	127
Drama and Theatre Adv	200	159	145	125	105	85	66
English Lang and Lit Adv	250	207	191	163	135	108	81
English Lit B Adv Option Aa	375	317	283	241	199	157	115
English Lit B Adv Option Ab	375	313	277	237	197	157	117
English Lit B Adv Option Ba	375	336	301	260	219	178	137
English Lit B Adv Option Bb	375	330	295	256	217	178	139
Further Maths Adv Option Ds	300	243	204	170	136	102	69
Further Maths Adv Option Md	300	237	201	169	138	107	76
Further Maths Adv Option Sm	300	241	199	165	132	99	66
History Adv Option Dl	200	163	141	117	94	71	48
History Adv Option FC	200	158	142	119	96	73	50
History Adv Option JT	200	-	-	-	-	-	-
Physics Adv (astrophysics)	250	182	152	126	100	75	50
Physics Adv (electronics)	250	185	153	127	101	76	51
Physics Adv (engineering)	250	190	155	129	103	77	51
Physics Adv (medical)	250	181	148	123	98	74	50
Physics Adv (turning Points)	250	184	151	126	101	76	51
Computer Science Adv (VB.NET)	375	315	262	217	172	127	82
History Adv Option BA	200	154	144	123	102	81	60
History Adv Option GC	200	160	136	114	92	70	49
History Adv Option GJ	200	155	133	112	91	71	51
History Adv Option JK	200	156	134	112	91	70	49
Physics Adv Option A	250	181	149	126	103	81	59
Physics Adv Option B	250	174	142	120	98	76	54
Physics Adv Option C	250	183	151	127	103	79	56
Physics Adv Option D	250	176	145	122	99	76	53
Physics Adv Option E	250	183	152	129	106	83	61
History Adv Option FK	200	-	-	-	-	-	-
History Adv Option GT	200	-	-	-	-	-	-

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.

Examiner-written A Level revision resources that improve your grades 2x

Written by expert teachers and examiners
Aligned to exam specifications
Everything you need to know, and nothing you don’t

AQA A Level Grade Boundaries 2025

Last year's boundaries can give you a feel for what might happen in 2026. Here's how they looked:

Official 2025 boundaries · Source: AQA

Subject	Max	A*	A	B	C	D	E
Accounting Adv	240	183	158	135	112	90	68
Art & Design Adv (3d Design)	480	399	370	313	257	201	145
Art & Design Adv (art,craft & Des)	480	399	370	313	257	201	145
Art & Design Adv (fine Art)	480	399	370	313	257	201	145
Art & Design Adv (graphic Com)	480	399	370	313	257	201	145
Art & Design Adv (photography)	480	409	390	336	282	228	175
Art & Design Adv (textile Design)	480	399	370	313	257	201	145
Bengali Adv	400	301	263	225	187	150	113
Biblical Hebrew Adv	300	221	191	164	137	110	84
Biology Adv	260	192	165	139	113	88	63
Business Adv	300	219	197	168	139	110	82
Chemistry Adv	300	239	197	162	127	93	59
Comp Sci Adv (c#)	375	300	245	201	157	113	69
Comp Sci Adv (java)	375	300	245	201	157	113	69
Comp Sci Adv (python)	375	300	245	201	157	113	69
Comp Sci Adv (vb.net)	375	300	245	201	157	113	69
Dance Adv	200	156	139	121	104	87	70
D&t: Fashion and Textiles Adv	400	331	305	264	223	182	142
D&t: Product Design Adv	400	317	291	250	209	168	127
Drama and Theatre Adv	200	159	145	125	105	85	66
Economics Adv	240	177	153	130	107	84	61
English Language Adv	500	433	397	341	285	229	174
English Lang and Lit Adv	250	207	191	163	135	108	81
English Lit A Adv Option A	375	321	286	244	203	162	121
English Lit A Adv Option B	375	326	294	250	206	162	119
English Lit B Adv Option Aa	375	317	283	241	199	157	115
English Lit B Adv Option Ab	375	313	277	237	197	157	117
English Lit B Adv Option Ba	375	336	301	260	219	178	137
English Lit B Adv Option Bb	375	330	295	256	217	178	139
Environmental Science Adv	240	172	155	131	108	85	62
French Adv Teacher Cond Option	400	360	322	283	244	205	167
French Adv Visiting Exr Option	400	360	322	283	244	205	167
Further Maths Adv Option Ds	300	243	204	170	136	102	69
Further Maths Adv Option Md	300	237	201	169	138	107	76
Further Maths Adv Option Sm	300	241	199	165	132	99	66
Geography Adv	300	241	213	183	153	123	94
German Adv Teacher Cond Option	400	351	306	259	212	165	119
German Adv Visiting Exr Option	400	351	306	259	212	165	119
History Adv Option AA	200	157	135	111	88	65	42
History Adv Option AB	200	159	137	113	89	66	43
History Adv Option AD	200	158	136	112	88	64	41
History Adv Option AE	200	159	137	114	91	68	46
History Adv Option AM	200	150	128	106	85	64	43
History Adv Option AS	200	157	135	111	87	64	41
History Adv Option BB	200	164	142	118	94	70	46
History Adv Option BD	200	163	141	116	92	68	44
History Adv Option BE	200	164	142	118	95	72	49
History Adv Option BM	200	155	133	111	89	67	46
History Adv Option BS	200	162	140	116	92	68	44
History Adv Option CF	200	162	140	117	94	71	49
History Adv Option CG	200	160	138	115	92	70	48
History Adv Option CH	200	155	133	111	89	67	46
History Adv Option CJ	200	161	139	117	95	73	52
History Adv Option CK	200	157	135	112	89	66	44
History Adv Option CL	200	158	136	113	90	68	46
History Adv Option CN	200	156	135	113	91	69	48
History Adv Option CO	200	160	139	117	95	73	52
History Adv Option CP	200	160	138	116	94	73	52
History Adv Option CQ	200	160	138	116	94	72	50
History Adv Option CR	200	162	140	117	94	72	50
History Adv Option CT	200	160	138	116	94	73	52
History Adv Option DG	200	165	143	119	96	73	50
History Adv Option DH	200	160	138	115	92	70	48
History Adv Option DJ	200	166	144	121	98	76	54
History Adv Option DK	200	162	140	116	92	69	46
History Adv Option Dl	200	163	141	117	94	71	48
History Adv Option DN	200	162	140	117	94	72	50
History Adv Option DO	200	166	144	121	98	76	54
History Adv Option DP	200	165	143	120	98	76	54
History Adv Option DQ	200	165	143	120	97	74	52
History Adv Option DR	200	167	145	121	98	75	52
History Adv Option EA	200	155	133	112	91	70	50
History Adv Option EE	200	157	135	114	94	74	54
History Adv Option EM	200	148	126	107	88	69	51
History Adv Option ES	200	155	133	112	91	70	49
History Adv Option FC	200	160	138	115	92	69	46
History Adv Option FF	200	163	141	117	94	71	48
History Adv Option FG	200	161	139	116	93	70	47
History Adv Option FH	200	156	134	111	89	67	45
History Adv Option FJ	200	162	140	117	95	73	51
History Adv Option FL	200	159	137	114	91	68	45
History Adv Option FN	200	158	136	113	91	69	47
History Adv Option FO	200	162	140	117	95	73	51
History Adv Option FP	200	161	139	117	95	73	51
History Adv Option FQ	200	161	139	116	93	71	49
History Adv Option FR	200	163	141	118	95	72	49
History Adv Option FT	200	161	139	117	95	73	51
History Adv Option GF	200	159	137	114	91	69	47
History Adv Option GG	200	157	135	112	90	68	46
History Adv Option GH	200	152	130	108	86	65	44
History Adv Option GK	200	154	132	109	86	64	42
History Adv Option GL	200	155	133	110	88	66	44
History Adv Option GN	200	154	132	110	88	67	46
History Adv Option GO	200	158	136	114	92	71	50
History Adv Option GP	200	157	135	113	92	71	50
History Adv Option GQ	200	157	135	113	91	69	48
History Adv Option GR	200	159	137	114	92	70	48
History Adv Option HA	200	154	132	110	88	66	45
History Adv Option HB	200	156	134	112	90	68	46
History Adv Option HD	200	155	133	110	88	66	44
History Adv Option HE	200	156	134	112	91	70	49
History Adv Option HM	200	147	125	105	85	65	46
History Adv Option HS	200	159	132	110	88	66	44
History Adv Option JF	200	158	136	113	90	67	45
History Adv Option JG	200	156	134	111	88	66	44
History Adv Option JH	200	151	129	107	85	63	42
History Adv Option JJ	200	157	135	113	91	69	48
History Adv Option JL	200	154	132	109	86	64	42
History Adv Option JN	200	153	131	109	87	65	44
History Adv Option JO	200	157	135	113	91	69	48
History Adv Option JP	200	156	134	112	90	69	48
History Adv Option JQ	200	156	134	112	90	68	46
History Adv Option JR	200	158	136	113	90	68	46
History Adv Option JT	200	156	134	112	90	69	48
History Adv Option KA	200	159	137	114	92	70	48
History Adv Option KB	200	161	139	116	93	71	49
History Adv Option KD	200	160	138	115	92	69	47
History Adv Option KE	200	161	139	117	95	73	52
History Adv Option KM	200	152	130	109	89	69	49
History Adv Option KS	200	159	137	114	91	69	47
History Adv Option LA	200	157	135	112	90	68	46
History Adv Option LB	200	159	137	114	91	69	47
History Adv Option LD	200	158	136	113	90	67	45
History Adv Option LE	200	159	137	115	93	71	50
History Adv Option LM	200	150	128	107	87	67	47
History Adv Option LS	200	156	135	112	89	67	45
Law Adv Option A	300	209	185	153	122	91	60
Law Adv Option B	300	213	186	155	124	93	62
Mathematics Adv	300	260	221	183	145	108	71
Media Studies Adv	240	203	184	156	129	102	75
Modern Hebrew Adv	400	297	260	223	186	150	114
Music Adv	300	249	222	194	167	140	113
Panjabi Adv	400	261	232	203	174	145	116
Philosophy Adv	200	158	136	110	84	58	33
Physical Education Adv	300	223	205	178	151	125	99
Physics Adv (astrophysics)	250	182	152	126	100	75	50
Physics Adv (electronics)	250	185	153	127	101	76	51
Physics Adv (engineering)	250	190	155	129	103	77	51
Physics Adv (medical)	250	181	148	123	98	74	50
Physics Adv (turning Points)	250	184	151	126	101	76	51
Polish Adv	400	327	265	228	191	154	117
Politics Adv	231	175	149	122	96	70	44
Psychology Adv	288	222	198	163	128	94	60
Religious Studies Adv Option A	200	173	148	122	96	71	46
Religious Studies Adv Option B	200	173	148	122	96	71	46
Religious Studies Adv Option C	200	173	148	122	96	71	46
Religious Studies Adv Option D	200	173	148	122	96	71	46
Religious Studies Adv Option E	200	173	148	122	96	71	46
Sociology Adv	240	190	171	147	123	99	76
Spanish Adv Teacher Cond Opt	400	349	313	266	219	173	127
Spanish Adv Visiting Exr Opt	400	349	313	266	219	173	127

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

Once the 2026 AQA A Level grade boundaries go live on results day, you'll want to check where your final mark fits in them. Here's what to do, whether you smashed it or came up short.

1. Compare your marks to the boundaries

Grab your marks and stack them up against the official boundaries for your exam board. This shows you exactly how close you were to each grade and whether it's worth requesting a remark.

2. Understand what it means for you

Didn't get what you hoped for? Don't worry. It's not the end of the road. Plenty of students resit their A Level exams, while others shift their future plans. Our A Level revision resources can help you get back on track and build your confidence.

3. Plan your next move

Not everyone continues studying. But, if you're heading to sixth form or college, our revision resources can help you throughout the next stage of your journey. If you missed your grades, our Clearing guide explains how to find a course that works for you.

What are weighted boundaries?

Some subjects have more than one exam paper or component, and they don't all contribute the same amount to your final grade. Exam boards assign each paper a weighting factor.

Working out your weighted grade

Here's a simple step-by-step guide to how it happens:

You get a raw mark for each paper (this is just the mark the examiner gives you).
Each paper gets multiplied by a weighting factor, which turns it into a weighted mark.
All your weighted marks are added up to give you your total course mark.
This total gets compared with the grade-threshold table for your exam session to decide your final grade.

A quick example

Let's say you're sitting two papers:

Paper 1:
- You score 64 out of 80.
- The weighting is 1.25.
- So your weighted mark is 64 × 1.25 = 80.
Paper 2:
- You score 70 out of 100.
- The weighting is 1.
- So your weighted mark is 70 × 1 = 70.
Your total:
- 150 weighted marks.

Remember, grade boundaries change each exam series. This means the same total mark might lead to a different grade in another year. Don't be tempted to compare your marks with your friend who sat the exam last year — the boundaries could be completely different!

Check with AQA to see if your course uses weighted scores.

Was this grade boundaries page helpful?

Share this article

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)

When are the AQA A Level grade boundaries released?

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.

Where can I find the official 2026 AQA A Level grade boundaries?

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:

How are grade boundaries set?

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.

How do grade boundaries work?

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.