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Grade BoundariesOCR AS Grade Boundaries 2026

OCR AS Grade Boundaries 2026: Averages & Why They Matter

Curious about the OCR AS grade boundaries for 2026? If you're sitting your AS 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 OCR AS exams from the past 6 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.

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Average Grade Boundaries 2026

We've crunched the numbers from the past 6 years to work out average grade boundaries for OCR AS 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.

SubjectYearMaximum MarkA*ABCDE
AS GCE Classical Greek2026160-11197847158
AS GCE Physical Education: 01 Physiological factors affecting performance202670------
AS GCE Physical Education: 02 Psychological and socio-cultural themes in physical education202670------
AS GCE Ancient History2026120-8571574431
AS GCE Art and Design: 01 Art, Craft and Design: Personal Investigation202680-7161524435
AS GCE Art and Design: 01 Fine Art: Personal Investigation202680-7161524435
AS GCE Art and Design: 01 Graphic Communication: Personal Investigation202680-7161524435
AS GCE Art and Design: 01 Photography: Personal Investigation202680-7161524435
AS GCE Art and Design: 01 Textile Design: Personal Investigation202680-7161524435
AS GCE Art and Design: 01 Three-Dimensional Design: Personal Investigation202680-7161524435
AS GCE Art and Design: 01 Critical And Contextual Studies: Personal Investigation202680-7161524435
AS GCE Art and Design: 01 Art, Craft and Design: Externally set task202680------
AS GCE Art and Design: 01 Critical and Contextual Studies: Externally set task202680------
AS GCE Art and Design: 01 Fine Art: Externally set task202680------
AS GCE Art and Design: 01 Graphic Communication: Externally set task202680------
AS GCE Art and Design: 01 Photography: Externally set task202680------
AS GCE Art and Design: 01 Textile Design: Externally set task202680------
AS GCE Art and Design: 01 Three-Dimensional Design: Externally set task202680------
AS GCE Biology A2026140-8473625242
AS GCE Biology B2026140-7868584838
AS GCE Business2026120------
AS GCE Biology B (Advancing Biology)2026140-2421181411
AS GCE Chemistry A2026140-10691776248
AS GCE Chemistry B (Salters)2026140-16131186
AS GCE Classical Civilisation2026130-10392817161
AS GCE Classical Civilisation: A Option components 11, 212026130-10091827364
AS GCE Classical Civilisation: B Option components 11, 222026130-9989797061
AS GCE Classical Civilisation: Option A: 11+212026130-9787786960
AS GCE Classical Civilisation: Option B: 11+222026130-10292817161
AS GCE Computer Science2026140-9279665341
AS GCE Design and Technology2026180-131114978064
AS GCE Design and Technology: 01 Design Engineering: Principles of Design Engineering202690------
AS GCE Design and Technology: 01 Fashion and Textiles: Principles of Fashion and Textiles202690------
AS GCE Design and Technology: 01 Product Design: Principles of Product Design202690------
AS GCE Design and Technology: Design Engineering2026180-139119997959
AS GCE Design and Technology: Design Engineering: Product Development (Postal Moderation)2026180-136116967656
AS GCE Design and Technology: Fashion and Textiles2026180-133116998266
AS GCE Design and Technology: Fashion and Textiles: Product Development (Postal Moderation)2026180-130113967963
AS GCE Design and Technology: Product Design2026180-133116998266
AS GCE Design and Technology: Product Design: Product Development (Postal Moderation)2026180-129112957963
AS GCE Drama and Theatre2026200------
AS GCE Economics2026120-8675635241
AS GCE English Language2026120-8675635242
AS GCE English Language: 01 Exploring language202660------
AS GCE English Language: 02 Exploring contexts202660------
AS GCE English Language and Literature (EMC)2026100-7566574941
AS GCE English Literature2026120-10088756452
AS GCE Film Studies2026150------
AS GCE Further Mathematics A2026180-8875624937
AS GCE Further Mathematics A: Option Y531+Y532+Y5332026180-11298847157
AS GCE Further Mathematics A: Option Y531+Y532+Y5342026180-10996826956
AS GCE Further Mathematics A: Option Y531+Y532+Y5352026180-10996847159
AS GCE Further Mathematics A: Option Y531+Y533+Y5342026180-10996826956
AS GCE Further Mathematics A: Option Y531+Y533+Y5352026180-11198867361
AS GCE Further Mathematics A: Option Y531+Y534+Y5352026180-10694816958
AS GCE Further Mathematics B (MEI): Option Y410+Y411+Y4122026180-11195806449
AS GCE Further Mathematics B (MEI): Option Y410+Y411+Y4132026180-10388756148
AS GCE Further Mathematics B (MEI): Option Y410+Y411+Y4142026180-10691776349
AS GCE Further Mathematics B (MEI): Option Y410+Y411+Y4152026180-10386695236
AS GCE Further Mathematics B (MEI): Option Y410+Y412+Y4132026180-11399857158
AS GCE Further Mathematics B (MEI): Option Y410+Y412+Y4142026180-11498836752
AS GCE Further Mathematics B (MEI): Option Y410+Y412+Y4162026180-118102867055
AS GCE Further Mathematics B (MEI): Option Y410+Y413+Y4142026180-10793796653
AS GCE Further Mathematics B (MEI): Option Y410+Y413+Y4162026180-10893786348
AS GCE Geography2026150-9078665544
AS GCE Geology2026120------
AS GCE History A2026100-6959483827
AS GCE History A (H105)2026100-6757483930
AS GCE History A: Y136-Y138 & Y143 - British period study and enquiry Y243, Y249, Y251-Y253 - Non-British period study2026100-6858483930
AS GCE Latin2026160-114100877461
AS GCE Law2026128-7865513826
AS GCE Mathematics A2026150-9378634934
AS GCE Mathematics B (MEI)2026140-9884715845
Core Maths A (MEI)2026144-10390776452
Core Maths B (MEI)2026-------
Level 3 Certificate Core Maths A (MEI)2026144-10491786552
Level 3 Certificate Core Maths B (MEI)2026144-10391796756
AS GCE Media Studies2026100------
AS GCE Music2026250------
AS GCE Physical Education2026200-125109937762
AS GCE Physics A2026140-9481695745
AS GCE Physics B (Advancing Physics)2026140-1816141210
AS GCE Psychology2026150-9786756453
AS GCE Religious Studies2026180-1371181008163
AS GCE Sociology2026150------
AS GCE Ancient History (01, 02)2026120-8572604836
AS GCE Art and Design: Art, Craft and Design: Personal Investigation202680-7162544638
AS GCE Art and Design: Fine Art: Personal Investigation202680-7162544638
AS GCE Art and Design: Graphic Communication: Personal Investigation202680-7162544638
AS GCE Art and Design: Photography: Personal Investigation202680-7162544638
AS GCE Art and Design: Textile Design: Personal Investigation202680-7162544638
AS GCE Art and Design: Three-Dimensional Design: Personal Investigation202680-7162544638
AS GCE Art and Design: Critical And Contextual Studies: Personal Investigation202680-7162544638
AS GCE Biology A (01, 02)2026140-8778696051
AS GCE Biology B (01, 02)2026140-7868584838
AS GCE Business (01, 02)2026120-7565564738
AS GCE Chemistry A (01, 02)2026140-11399857259
AS GCE Chemistry B (Salters) (01, 02)2026140-9479655137
AS GCE Classical Civilisation Option A: 11+212026130-10090807162
AS GCE Classical Civilisation Option B: 11+222026130-10191817161
AS GCE Classical Greek (01, 02)2026160-114101887563
AS GCE Computer Science (01, 02)2026140-10288746148
AS GCE Design and Technology (01, 02, 03)2026180-135117988061
AS GCE Drama and Theatre (01, 02, 03, 04, 05)2026200-1501311129374
AS GCE Economics (01, 02)2026120-7968574636
AS GCE English Language and Literature (EMC) (01, 02)2026100-7667585042
AS GCE English Literature (01, 02)2026120-10592796755
AS GCE Film Studies (01, 02, 03)2026150-11397816549
AS GCE Geography (01, 02)2026150-9180706050
AS GCE History A (Y136-Y138 & Y143 Y243, Y249, Y251-Y253)2026100-6757483930
AS GCE Latin (01, 02)2026160-117104917967
AS GCE Law (01, 02)2026128-7462503827
AS GCE Mathematics A (01, 02)2026150-10794816957
AS GCE Further Mathematics A (01) Option Y531+Y532+Y5332026180-125111978369
AS GCE Further Mathematics A (01) Option Y531+Y532+Y5342026180-125111978370
AS GCE Further Mathematics A (01) Option Y531+Y532+Y5352026180-127113998673
AS GCE Further Mathematics A (01) Option Y531+Y533+Y5342026180-119104907662
AS GCE Further Mathematics A (01) Option Y531+Y533+Y5352026180-121107937965
AS GCE Further Mathematics A (01) Option Y531+Y534+Y5352026180-121107937966
AS GCE Mathematics B (MEI) (01, 02)2026140-9987756352
AS GCE Further Mathematics B (MEI) (01) Option Y410+Y411+Y4122026180-123109958269
AS GCE Further Mathematics B (MEI) (01) Option Y410+Y411+Y4132026180-115101877461
AS GCE Further Mathematics B (MEI) (01) Option Y410+Y411+Y4142026180-125110968268
AS GCE Further Mathematics B (MEI) (01) Option Y410+Y412+Y4132026180-124110968370
AS GCE Further Mathematics B (MEI) (01) Option Y410+Y412+Y4142026180-1341191059177
AS GCE Further Mathematics B (MEI) (01) Option Y410+Y413+Y4142026180-126111978369
AS GCE Media Studies (01, 02, 03)2026100-6455463729
AS GCE Music (01, 02, 03)2026250-181160140120100
AS GCE Physical Education (01, 02, 04, 05, 06)2026200-128113988368
AS GCE Physics A (01, 02)2026140-9381695746
AS GCE Physics B (Advancing Physics) (01, 02)2026140-9885725947
AS GCE Psychology (01, 02)2026150-9584736251
AS GCE Religious Studies (01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07)2026180-1381201028467
AS GCE Sociology (01, 02)2026150-10694827058

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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OCR AS Grade Boundaries 2025

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

SubjectYearMaximum MarkA*ABCDE
AS GCE Ancient History (01, 02)2025120-8572604836
AS GCE Art and Design: Art, Craft and Design: Personal Investigation202580-7162544638
AS GCE Art and Design: Fine Art: Personal Investigation202580-7162544638
AS GCE Art and Design: Graphic Communication: Personal Investigation202580-7162544638
AS GCE Art and Design: Photography: Personal Investigation202580-7162544638
AS GCE Art and Design: Textile Design: Personal Investigation202580-7162544638
AS GCE Art and Design: Three-Dimensional Design: Personal Investigation202580-7162544638
AS GCE Art and Design: Critical And Contextual Studies: Personal Investigation202580-7162544638
AS GCE Biology A (01, 02)2025140-8778696051
AS GCE Biology B (01, 02)2025140-7868584838
AS GCE Business (01, 02)2025120-7565564738
AS GCE Chemistry A (01, 02)2025140-11399857259
AS GCE Chemistry B (Salters) (01, 02)2025140-9479655137
AS GCE Classical Civilisation Option A: 11+212025130-10090807162
AS GCE Classical Civilisation Option B: 11+222025130-10191817161
AS GCE Classical Greek (01, 02)2025160-114101887563
AS GCE Computer Science (01, 02)2025140-10288746148
AS GCE Design and Technology (01, 02, 03)2025180-139119997959
AS GCE Design and Technology (01, 02, 03)2025180-131114978063
AS GCE Drama and Theatre (01, 02, 03, 04, 05)2025200-1501311129374
AS GCE Economics (01, 02)2025120-7968574636
AS GCE English Language2025120-9179675645
AS GCE English Language and Literature (EMC) (01, 02)2025100-7667585042
AS GCE English Literature (01, 02)2025120-10592796755
AS GCE Film Studies (01, 02, 03)2025150-11397816549
AS GCE Further Mathematics A (01) Option Y531+Y532+Y5332025180-125111978369
AS GCE Further Mathematics A (01) Option Y531+Y532+Y5342025180-125111978370
AS GCE Further Mathematics A (01) Option Y531+Y532+Y5352025180-127113998673
AS GCE Further Mathematics A (01) Option Y531+Y533+Y5342025180-119104907662
AS GCE Further Mathematics A (01) Option Y531+Y533+Y5352025180-121107937965
AS GCE Further Mathematics A (01) Option Y531+Y534+Y5352025180-121107937966
AS GCE Further Mathematics B (MEI) (01) Option Y410+Y411+Y4122025180-123109958269
AS GCE Further Mathematics B (MEI) (01) Option Y410+Y411+Y4132025180-115101877461
AS GCE Further Mathematics B (MEI) (01) Option Y410+Y411+Y4142025180-125110968268
AS GCE Further Mathematics B (MEI) (01) Option Y410+Y412+Y4132025180-124110968370
AS GCE Further Mathematics B (MEI) (01) Option Y410+Y412+Y4142025180-1341191059177
AS GCE Further Mathematics B (MEI) (01) Option Y410+Y413+Y4142025180-126111978369
AS GCE Geography (01, 02)2025150-9180706050
AS GCE History A (Y136-Y138 & Y143 Y243, Y249, Y251-Y253)2025100-6757483930
AS GCE Latin (01, 02)2025160-117104917967
AS GCE Law (01, 02)2025128-7462503827
AS GCE Mathematics A (01, 02)2025150-10794816957
AS GCE Mathematics B (MEI) (01, 02)2025140-9987756352
AS GCE Media Studies (01, 02, 03)2025100-6455463729
AS GCE Music (01, 02, 03)2025250-181160140120100
AS GCE Physical Education (01, 02, 04, 05, 06)2025200-128113988368
AS GCE Physics A (01, 02)2025140-9381695746
AS GCE Physics B (Advancing Physics) (01, 02)2025140-9885725947
AS GCE Psychology (01, 02)2025150-9584736251
AS GCE Religious Studies (01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07)2025180-1381201028467
AS GCE Sociology (01, 02)2025150-10694827058
Source: OCR

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What to do after the 2026 OCR AS grade boundaries are released: Next steps

Once the 2026 OCR AS 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 AS exams, while others shift their future plans. Our AS 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. And, if university is on your radar, check out our University Acceptance Rates data. You'll see how your results match up with typical offers and explore your options from there. 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:

  1. You get a raw mark for each paper (this is just the mark the examiner gives you).
  2. Each paper gets multiplied by a weighting factor, which turns it into a weighted mark.
  3. All your weighted marks are added up to give you your total course mark.
  4. 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 OCR to see if your course uses weighted scores.

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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 OCR AS grade boundaries may look like.

We'll be updating our comprehensive OCR AS 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.