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Grade BoundariesOCR GCSE Grade Boundaries 2025

OCR GCSE Grade Boundaries 2025: Averages & Why They Matter

Curious about the OCR GCSE grade boundaries for 2025? If you're sitting your GCSE 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 OCR GCSE exams, based on data from the past 3 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 2025 grade boundaries are released, so be sure to bookmark it and sign up for alerts below.

Average Grade Boundaries 2025

Based on data from the past 3 years, we've calculated the average grade boundaries for OCR GCSE 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.

SubjectYearMonthMaximum MarkGrade 9Grade 8Grade 7Grade 6Grade 5Grade 4Grade 3Grade 2Grade 1
Ancient History2025Jun1651581421271119680634629
Art and Design2025Jun200187175163145128111815223
Biology A (Gateway Science) Foundation Tier: 01+022025Jun180----10687654422
Biology A (Gateway Science) H Higher Tier: 03+042025Jun18013111610283654738--
Biology B (Twenty First Century Science) Foundation Tier: 01+022025Jun180----10488674626
Biology B (Twenty First Century Science) Higher Tier: 03+042025Jun18013211910688715446--
Biology A (Gateway Science) Higher Tier: 03+042025Jun18013812611598806354--
Business2025Jun16011610696847260453015
Chemistry A (Gateway Science) Foundation Tier: 01+022025Jun180----10788664422
Chemistry A (Gateway Science) Higher Tier: 03+042025Jun18014813111595765747--
Chemistry B (Twenty First Century Science) Foundation Tier: 01+022025Jun180----9377583819
Chemistry B (Twenty First Century Science) H Higher Tier: 03+042025Jun1801271129778614334--
Chemistry B (Twenty First Century Science) Higher Tier: 03+042025Jun1801311149879604131--
Citizenship Studies2025Jun2001481351231089378604224
Classical Civilisation Option A: 11+212025Jun180137124113998571533517
Classical Civilisation Option B: 11+222025Jun1801401271151018773543617
Classical Civilisation Option C: 11+232025Jun180138126114998470523416
Classical Civilisation Option D: 12+212025Jun180134122111988572543618
Classical Civilisation Option E: 12+222025Jun1801371251131008774553618
Classical Civilisation Option F: 12+232025Jun180136124112988471523417
Classical Greek Option A: 01+02+032025Jun20016714612411310190725435
Classical Greek Option B: 01+02+042025Jun20016614512411210089705335
Classical Greek Option C: 01+02+052025Jun2001661441231119988705235
Classical Greek Option D: 01+02+062025Jun20016714612611410391725435
Classical Greek Option E: 01+03+042025Jun20016814612411210190715335
Classical Greek Option F: 01+03+052025Jun20016714512311110089705235
Classical Greek Option G: 01+03+062025Jun20016814712611510493735435
Classical Greek Option H: 01+04+052025Jun2001661441231119987695234
Classical Greek Option J: 01+04+062025Jun20016814612611410291725334
Classical Greek Option K: 01+05+062025Jun20016714612511310190715234
Classical Civilisation Option A: 11+21 & Option C 11+23 & Option D 12+21 & Option F 12+232025Jun1801381271161039077573717
Classical Civilisation Option B: 11+22 & Option E: 12+222025Jun1801411301191059279583818
Computer Science2025Jun160133119106917662463014
Computer Science -2025Jun1601361261171028772523213
Design and Technology2025Jun2001561411251089175543414
Drama2025Jun200175165156142127113876034
Economics2025Jun16011910796837057433017
English Language2025Jun160128117106948170533722
English Language Foundation Tier: 01+02+032025November160126115104917967513519
English Literature2025Jun12012210895786245342211
Food Preparation and Nutrition2025Jun300235214194172150128986839
Geography A (Geographical Themes)2025Jun1671441291161018773523111
Geography B (Geography for Enquiring Minds)2025Jun1591411291171049280583615
Geography B (Geography for Enquiring Minds) Option AA: 01+08+112025Jun21016815213611910285603511
History A (Explaining the Modern World) Option KA: 01+08+142025Jun160127115103897561442812
History A (Explaining the Modern World) Option LA: 02+08+142025Jun160125113101877360442812
History A (Explaining the Modern World) Option LB: 02+09+142025Jun160125113101877360442812
History A (Explaining the Modern World) Option LC: 02+10+142025Jun160130118106917662452812
History A (Explaining the Modern World) Option LD: 02+11+142025Jun160130118106927864462912
History A (Explaining the Modern World) Option LE: 02+12+142025Jun160130118106917763462912
History A (Explaining the Modern World) Option LF: 02+13+142025Jun160130118106927864462912
History A (Explaining the Modern World) Option MA: 05+08+142025Jun160126114102887461442812
History A (Explaining the Modern World) Option NA: 06+08+142025Jun160128116104907662452812
History A (Explaining the Modern World) Option NB: 06+09+142025Jun160128116104907662452812
History A (Explaining the Modern World) Option ND: 06+11+142025Jun160133121109948066483012
History A (Explaining the Modern World) Option NE: 06+12+142025Jun160133121109947965472912
History A (Explaining the Modern World) Option NF: 06+13+142025Jun160133121109948066483012
History A (Explaining the Modern World) Option OA: 07+08+142025Jun160128116104907662452812
History A (Explaining the Modern World) Option OB: 07+09+142025Jun160128116104907662452812
History A (Explaining the Modern World) Option OC: 07+10+142025Jun160133121109947964462912
History A (Explaining the Modern World) Option OD: 07+11+142025Jun160133121109948066483012
History A (Explaining the Modern World) Option OE: 07+12+142025Jun160133121109947965472912
History A (Explaining the Modern World) Option OF: 07+13+142025Jun160133121109948066483012
History A (Explaining the Modern World) Option OG: 08+11+142025Jun160128116104907663462912
History A (Explaining the Modern World) Option OH: 09+12+142025Jun160128116104907662452812
History A (Explaining the Modern World) Option OI: 10+13+142025Jun160133121109947965472912
History B (Schools History Project) Option LC: 41+51+61+732025Jun170134120107948168513418
History B (Schools History Project) Option LE: 41+51+71+832025Jun170133120107948168513418
History B (Schools History Project) Option LI: 41+51+73+832025Jun170132118105927966503418
History B (Schools History Project) Option LK: 41+51+61+832025Jun170135122109968370523518
History B (Schools History Project) Option MC: 41+52+61+732025Jun170133120107948168513418
History B (Schools History Project) Option ME: 41+52+71+832025Jun170133120107948168513418
History B (Schools History Project) Option MI: 41+52+73+832025Jun170131118105927966503418
History B (Schools History Project) Option MK: 41+52+61+832025Jun170135122109968370523518
History B (Schools History Project) Option NC: 41+53+61+732025Jun170131118105927966503418
History B (Schools History Project) Option NE: 41+53+71+832025Jun170131118105927966503418
History B (Schools History Project) Option NI: 41+53+73+832025Jun170129116103907764483318
History B (Schools History Project) Option NK: 41+53+61+832025Jun170133120107948168513418
History B (Schools History Project) Option OC: 42+51+61+732025Jun170133120107948168513418
History B (Schools History Project) Option OE: 42+51+71+832025Jun170133120107948168513418
History B (Schools History Project) Option OH: 42+51+73+812025Jun170131118105927966503418
History B (Schools History Project) Option OI: 42+51+73+832025Jun170132118105927966503418
History B (Schools History Project) Option OK: 42+51+61+832025Jun170135122109968370523518
History B (Schools History Project) Option PA: 42+52+61+712025Jun170135122109968370523518
History B (Schools History Project) Option PC: 42+52+61+732025Jun170133120107948168513418
History B (Schools History Project) Option PD: 42+52+71+812025Jun170133120107948168513418
History B (Schools History Project) Option PE: 42+52+71+832025Jun170133120107948168513418
History B (Schools History Project) Option PH: 42+52+73+812025Jun170131118105927966503418
History B (Schools History Project) Option PI: 42+52+73+832025Jun170132118105927966503418
History B (Schools History Project) Option PK: 42+52+61+832025Jun170135122109968370523518
History B (Schools History Project) Option QB: 42+53+61+722025Jun170133120107948168513418
History B (Schools History Project) Option QE: 42+53+71+832025Jun170131118105927966503418
History B (Schools History Project) Option QI: 42+53+73+832025Jun170129116103907764483318
History B (Schools History Project) Option QK: 42+53+61+832025Jun170133120107948168513418
History B (Schools History Project) Option RC: 43+51+61+732025Jun170133120107948168513418
History B (Schools History Project) Option RK: 43+51+61+822025Jun170134121108958269523518
History B (Schools History Project) Option SA: 43+52+61+712025Jun170135122109968370523518
History B (Schools History Project) Option SD: 43+52+71+812025Jun170133120107948168513418
History B (Schools History Project) Option TE: 43+53+71+822025Jun170130117104917865493318
History B (Schools History Project) Option UB: 41+61+71+832025Jun170135122109968370523518
History B (Schools History Project) Option UF: 41+61+73+832025Jun170133120107948168513418
History B (Schools History Project) Option VF: 42+61+73+832025Jun170133120107948168513418
History A (Explaining the Modern World) Option AB 01+09+122025Jun2101621461301139680573411
History A (Explaining the Modern World) Option BA 02+08+112025Jun21016915413812110487623712
History A (Explaining the Modern World) Option BB 02+09+122025Jun2101661501351179982593512
History A (Explaining the Modern World) Option BC 02+10+132025Jun2101631471321149780573412
History A (Explaining the Modern World) Option EA 05+08+112025Jun21016815313712010387613712
History A (Explaining the Modern World) Option FA 06+08+112025Jun21016915413812110588623712
History A (Explaining the Modern World) Option FB 06+09+122025Jun21016615013511710084593512
History A (Explaining the Modern World) Option FC 06+10+132025Jun2101631471321159881583512
History A (Explaining the Modern World) Option GA 07+08+112025Jun21016514913411710184603612
History A (Explaining the Modern World) Option GB 07+09+122025Jun2101611461301139680573412
History A (Explaining the Modern World) Option GC 07+10+132025Jun2101581431271119377553312
History B (Schools History Project) Option AB: 11+21+332025Jun2101531351181038874543314
History B (Schools History Project) Option AF: 11+21+392025Jun2101571381201059075553414
History B (Schools History Project) Option BB: 11+21+332025Jun2101621441261099377553413
History B (Schools History Project) Option BF: 12+21+392025Jun2101611431251099479573514
History B (Schools History Project) Option CE: 13+21+372025Jun2101591411231079176553413
History B (Schools History Project) Option CF: 13+21+382025Jun2101521351181038874543414
History B (Schools History Project) Option DB: 14+21+332025Jun2101591411241099480573514
History B (Schools History Project) Option DD: 14+21+362025Jun2101661481301139781583513
History B (Schools History Project) Option DE: 14+21+382025Jun2101581411241089479573514
History B (Schools History Project) Option DF: 14+21+392025Jun2101621441271119681583614
History B (Schools History Project) Option EA: 15+21+312025Jun2101611431251099377553413
History B (Schools History Project) Option EB: 15+21+332025Jun2101551381211059176553414
History B (Schools History Project) Option EF: 15+21+392025Jun2101601411231079277563514
History B (Schools History Project) Option FA: 16+21+312025Jun2101621441261109478563413
History B (Schools History Project) Option GA: 17+21+322025Jun2101621441261109479573513
History B (Schools History Project) Option GB: 17+21+332025Jun2101581391211069176553414
History B (Schools History Project) Option GD: 17+21+362025Jun2101591411231089277563514
History B (Schools History Project) Option GF: 17+21+392025Jun2101611421241089377563514
History B (Schools History Project) Option HB: 18+21+332025Jun2101641461281119478563413
History B (Schools History Project) Option HD: 18+21+362025Jun2101611421241089277563514
History B (Schools History Project) Option HF: 18+21+392025Jun2101631441251099377563514
History B (Schools History Project) Option KB: 19+21+322025Jun2101621441261109478563413
History A (Explaining the Modern World) Option AA: 01+08+112025Jun21017015514012310690643813
History B (Schools History Project) Option AE: 11+21+382025Jun210146128111978471523314
History B (Schools History Project) Option BB: 12+21+332025Jun2101531361191059279573514
History B (Schools History Project) Option FC: 16+21+342025Jun2101541351171038975543414
Latin Option A: 01+02+032025Jun20017215413712010386644322
Latin Option B: 01+02+042025Jun20017115413711910285644322
Latin Option C: 01+02+052025Jun20017015313611910185634222
Latin Option D: 01+02+062025Jun20017115413712010386654322
Latin Option E: 01+03+042025Jun20017215413712010386644322
Latin Option F: 01+03+052025Jun20017115413711910286644322
Latin Option G: 01+03+062025Jun20017215513812110487654322
Latin Option H: 01+04+052025Jun20017015313611910185634322
Latin Option K: 01+05+062025Jun20017015313711910386654322
Latin Option J: 01+04+062025Jun20017215614012410892704927
Mathematics Foundation Tier: 01+02+032025Jun300----172123885319
Mathematics Higher Tier: 04+05+062025Jun300243198152116814628--
Media Studies2025Jun20016215013912310791684522
Music2025Jun200169158148135123111906948
Physical Education2025Jun200161151142129116103775125
Physics A (Gateway Science) Foundation Tier: 01+022025Jun180----11096704521
Physics A (Gateway Science) Higher Tier: 03+042025Jun18014312911698806253--
Physics B (Twenty First Century Science) Foundation Tier: 01+022025Jun180----9277573616
Physics B (Twenty First Century Science) Higher Tier: 03+042025Jun1801301149983664941--
Physics A (Gateway Science) H Higher Tier: 03+042025Jun180147135123104856656--
Physics B (Twenty First Century Science) Foundation Tier: 01+02 Overall2025Jun180----11399765330
Psychology2025Jun1801411301181038873563821
Religious Studies2025Jun25219017215413411596714622
Religious Studies Option AA: 01+02+062025Jun252199183167146125105785125
Religious Studies Option AB: 01+03+062025Jun252193177161141122103775125
Religious Studies Option AC: 01+04+062025Jun252198182167146125105785125
Religious Studies Option AD: 01+05+062025Jun252198182167146125105785125
Religious Studies Option AE: 01+02+072025Jun252192175159140121103775125
Religious Studies Option AG: 01+04+092025Jun252198182167146125105785125
Religious Studies Option DA: 04+05+092025Jun252196181166145124104775125

Disclaimer: These are not the official grade boundaries for 2025. 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 GCSE Grade Boundaries 2024

Look back at last year’s OCR GCSE grade boundaries to get an idea of what to expect in 2025:

SubjectYearMonthMaximum MarkGrade 9Grade 8Grade 7Grade 6Grade 5Grade 4Grade 3Grade 2Grade 1
Ancient History2024Jun21017415714012310690715233
Art and Design2024Jun200187175163146129112825324
Art and Design2024Jun200187175163146129112825324
Art and Design2024Jun200187175163146129112825324
Art and Design2024Jun200187175163146129112825324
Art and Design2024Jun200187175163146129112825324
Art and Design2024Jun200187175163146129112825324
Art and Design2024Jun200187175163146129112825324
Biology A (Gateway Science) Foundation Tier: 01+022024Jun180----11194694521
Biology A (Gateway Science) Higher Tier: 03+042024Jun180142131121104877061--
Biology B (Twenty First Century Science) Foundation Tier: 01+022024Jun180----10996755535
Biology B (Twenty First Century Science) Higher Tier: 03+042024Jun180143131119100816354--
Business2024Jun16011610696847260442914
Chemistry A (Gateway Science) Foundation Tier: 01+022024Jun180----114100755026
Chemistry A (Gateway Science) Higher Tier: 03+042024Jun180154140127107876858--
Chemistry B (Twenty First Century Science) Foundation Tier: 01+022024Jun180----8670533620
Chemistry B (Twenty First Century Science) H Higher Tier: 03+042024Jun18012811410081634536--
Citizenship Studies2024Jun2001531401281139883644526
Classical Civilisation Option A: 11+212024Jun1801451331221089582614019
Classical Civilisation Option B: 11+222024Jun1801461341231099683614019
Classical Civilisation Option C: 11+232024Jun1801471351231089379583717
Classical Civilisation Option D: 12+212024Jun1801401291191079583624120
Classical Civilisation Option E: 12+222024Jun1801411301201089684624120
Classical Civilisation Option F: 12+232024Jun1801421311201069380593818
Classical Greek Option A: 01+02+032024Jun20016814712611410290725436
Classical Greek Option B: 01+02+042024Jun20016814712611310088705436
Classical Greek Option C: 01+02+052024Jun2001671461251129987705336
Classical Greek Option D: 01+02+062024Jun20016814712611410290725436
Classical Greek Option E: 01+03+042024Jun20017014812711410290725436
Classical Greek Option F: 01+03+052024Jun20016914712611310189715336
Classical Greek Option G: 01+03+062024Jun20017014812711510392735436
Classical Greek Option H: 01+04+052024Jun20016914712611310087705336
Classical Greek Option J: 01+04+062024Jun20017014812711410290725436
Classical Greek Option K: 01+05+062024Jun20016914712611310189715336
Computer Science -2024Jun1601361261171028772523213
Design and Technology2024Jun2001521371221069075543414
Drama2024Jun200177167158143129115875932
Economics2024Jun16011810797847158443118
English Language2024Jun160130119109978573574126
English Literature2024Jun160133118103846648362413
Food Preparation and Nutrition2024Jun300235212190167145123926131
Geography A (Geographical Themes)2024Jun2001571411261109580573513
Geography B (Geography for Enquiring Minds)2024Jun20015814513211810592674319
History A (Explaining the Modern World) Option AA: 01+08+112024Jun21017015514012310690643813
History A (Explaining the Modern World) Option BA 02+08+112024Jun21017015514012210588633813
History A (Explaining the Modern World) Option BB 02+09+122024Jun21016915413912010284603612
History A (Explaining the Modern World) Option BC 02+10+132024Jun2101621471321149678563413
History A (Explaining the Modern World) Option EA 05+08+112024Jun21016815313812110589633813
History A (Explaining the Modern World) Option FA 06+08+112024Jun21017115614112410892653913
History A (Explaining the Modern World) Option FB 06+09+122024Jun21017015514012210588623712
History A (Explaining the Modern World) Option FC 06+10+132024Jun2101631481331169982593613
History A (Explaining the Modern World) Option GA 07+08+112024Jun21016615113612010488633813
History A (Explaining the Modern World) Option GB 07+09+122024Jun21016515013511810184603612
History A (Explaining the Modern World) Option GC 07+10+132024Jun2101581431281129478563413
History B (Schools History Project) Option AB: 11+21+332024Jun210148130113998673533314
History B (Schools History Project) Option AE: 11+21+382024Jun210146128111978471523314
History B (Schools History Project) Option AF: 11+21+392024Jun2101541351171028874543414
History B (Schools History Project) Option BB: 12+21+332024Jun2101531361191059279573514
History B (Schools History Project) Option BF: 12+21+392024Jun2101591411231089480583614
History B (Schools History Project) Option CF: 13+21+382024Jun210144127111978471523314
History B (Schools History Project) Option DB: 14+21+332024Jun2101521351191059279573514
History B (Schools History Project) Option DE: 14+21+382024Jun2101501331171039077563514
History B (Schools History Project) Option DF: 14+21+392024Jun2101581401231089480583614
History B (Schools History Project) Option EB: 15+21+332024Jun2101521341161028976553414
History B (Schools History Project) Option EF: 15+21+392024Jun2101581391201059177563514
History B (Schools History Project) Option FC: 16+21+342024Jun2101541351171038975543414
History B (Schools History Project) Option GB: 17+21+332024Jun2101531341161028874543414
History B (Schools History Project) Option GD: 17+21+362024Jun2101551371191048975543414
History B (Schools History Project) Option GF: 17+21+392024Jun2101591391201059075543414
History B (Schools History Project) Option HD: 18+21+362024Jun2101561371191048975543414
History B (Schools History Project) Option HF: 18+21+392024Jun2101601401201059075543414
Latin Option A: 01+02+032024Jun20017315714112410791704928
Latin Option B: 01+02+042024Jun20017215614012310690694828
Latin Option C: 01+02+052024Jun20017215614012310690694828
Latin Option D: 01+02+062024Jun20017315714112410892704828
Latin Option E: 01+03+042024Jun20017215614012310690694828
Latin Option F: 01+03+052024Jun20017215614012310690694828
Latin Option G: 01+03+062024Jun20017315714112410892704828
Latin Option H: 01+04+052024Jun20017115513912210589684828
Latin Option J: 01+04+062024Jun20017215614012310791704928
Latin Option K: 01+05+062024Jun20017215614012310791704928
Mathematics Foundation Tier: 01+02+032024Jun300----180131935518
Mathematics Higher Tier: 04+05+062024Jun300245195145110764225--
Media Studies2024Jun20016315214112510994694420
Music2024Jun200170159149136124112906847
Physical Education2024Jun200160150141128115103775126
Physics A (Gateway Science) H Higher Tier: 03+042024Jun180147135123104856656--
Physics B (Twenty First Century Science) Foundation Tier: 01+02 Overall2024Jun180----11399765330
Physics B (Twenty First Century Science) Higher Tier: 03+042024Jun180144131118102867062--
Psychology2024Jun1801431321211058974553719
Religious Studies Option AA: 01+02+062024Jun252199183167146125105785125
Religious Studies Option AB: 01+03+062024Jun252193177161141122103775125
Religious Studies Option AC: 01+04+062024Jun252198182167146125105785125
Religious Studies Option AD: 01+05+062024Jun252198182167146125105785125
Religious Studies Option AE: 01+02+072024Jun252192175159140121103775125
Religious Studies Option AG: 01+04+092024Jun252198182167146125105785125
Religious Studies Option DA: 04+05+092024Jun252196181166145124104775125
Source: OCR

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What to do after the 2025 OCR GCSE grade boundaries are released: Next steps

Once the 2025 OCR GCSE 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 GCSEs or just want to boost your confidence before embarking on your next steps, our GCSE 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 sixth form or college, our revision resources can help you throughout the next stage of your journey. We have everything you need to help you ace your A Level or IB exams, from expert-written revision notes to past papers and flashcards.

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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 2025 grade boundary averages to get an idea of what the OCR GCSE grade boundaries may look like.

We'll be updating our comprehensive OCR GCSE grade boundaries resource as soon as the 2025 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