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CIE IGCSE Grade Boundaries 2025: Averages & Why They Matter

Curious about the CIE IGCSE grade boundaries for 2025? If you're sitting your IGCSE 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 CIE IGCSE 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 CIE IGCSE 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
English (as an Additional Language) (X) 03, 11, 21, 412025June18016214713211910694735333
Biology (BX) 21, 41, 512025June2001671511361179981665137
Biology (CX) 21, 41, 612025June2001681521371189981665137
Biology (CY) 22, 42, 622025June20017315814312711095775941
Biology (FX) 11, 31, 512025June200----131119967350
Biology (GX) 11, 31, 612025June200----132120967350
Biology (GY) 12, 32, 622025June200----138118977758
Chemistry (BX) 21, 41, 512025June2001661491321139475604733
Chemistry (CX) 21, 41, 612025June2001671511341149475624835
Chemistry (CY) 22, 42, 622025June2001631471321149678645036
Chemistry (FX) 11, 31, 512025June200----117101785635
Chemistry (GX) 11, 31, 612025June200----119101805837
Chemistry (GY) 12, 32, 622025June200----123105846444
Physics (BX) 21, 41, 512025June2001501331171028873614937
Physics (CX) 21, 41, 612025June2001491331171028873614836
Physics (CY) 22, 42, 622025June2001531391251079074604633
Physics (FX) 11, 31, 512025June200----125114957657
Physics (GX) 11, 31, 612025June200----130116967657
Physics (GY) 12, 32, 622025June200----120110896848
Art and Design (A) 01, 022025June20017315313412010794704622
Business Studies (X) 11, 212025June1601069482705847362717
Geography (AY) 03, 12, 222025June220186174161145130115926946
Geography (BY) 12, 22, 422025June220176163151135121106856444
History (AY) 03, 12, 222025June15011310393857770584736
History (BY) 12, 22, 422025June150988879706254453730
Business Studies (Y) 12, 222025June1601069585736251392817
Co-Ordinated Sciences (Double Award) (CX) 21, 41, 612025June24018516614612810990735640
Mathematics (AY) 12, 322025June160----11192694624
Mathematics (BY) 22, 422025June2001811651491261048258--
Co-Ordinated Sciences (Double Award) (CY) 22, 42, 622025June24019517515613611899795939
Computer Science (AX) 11, 212025June1501139883685440322416
Computer Science (AY) 12, 222025June15011910490746045352515
Accounting (AX) 11, 212025June1431099377645139322518
Accounting (AY) 12, 222025June14311610187725742332517
Co-Ordinated Sciences (Double Award) (FX) 11, 31, 512025June240----142115927048
Economics (X) 11, 212025June15011110396877768544128
Economics (Y) 12, 222025June150127116105928068544027
Co-Ordinated Sciences (Double Award) (GX) 11, 31, 612025June240----138112906948
Co-Ordinated Sciences (Double Award) (GY) 12, 32, 622025June240----146117947250
Design and Technology (AY) 02, 12, 322025June200159147136124112101836547
Design and Technology (BY) 02, 12, 422025June200169157145131117104846445
Design and Technology (CY) 02, 12, 522025June200171159147134121108876645
Design and Technology (DY (DY1) 12, 32, 822025June200160148137125114103846648
Design and Technology (DY (DY2) 12, 32, 922025June200160148137125114103846648
Design and Technology (FY (FY1) 12, 52, 822025November200171160149135122109876645
Design and Technology (FY (FY2) 12, 52, 922025November200171160149135122109876645
Drama (AY) 02, 122025June200168158149136124111855934
Drama (BY (BY1) 12, 822025November200170160151138125112866035
Drama (BY (BY2) 12, 922025November200170160151138125112866035
French (X) 03, 11, 21, 412025June20017115614112511196755535
French (Y) 03, 12, 22, 422025June20016815514212711298775737
German (Y) 03, 12, 22, 422025June200174158143128115102805938
Spanish (Y) 03, 12, 22, 422025June200173157142128114100795939
English as a Second Language (Count-In Speaking) (AX) 11, 31, 512025June200----16315212610176
English as a Second Language (Count-In Speaking) (AY) 12, 32, 522025June200----1501451189266
Biology (BY) 22, 42, 522025November20017215714312711297806346
English as a Second Language (Count-In Speaking) (BX) 11, 31, 812025November200----16115112810582
Computer Science (0984) (AY) 12, 222025November1501089685725946352515
English as a Second Language (Count-In Speaking) (FX) 21, 41, 512025June200185179172161151141118--
English as a Second Language (Count-In Speaking) (FY) 22, 42, 522025June200186179173160148136109--
English as a Second Language (Count-In Speaking) (GX) 21, 41, 812025June200185178171161151141118--
English as a Second Language (Count-In Speaking) (HX) 21, 41, 912025June200184176169157146135110--
English as a Second Language (Count-In Speaking) (AX) 11, 21, 312025November1601511471441371311251078972
English as a Second Language (Count-In Speaking) (BX) 11, 21, 812025November1601511471441371311251078972
English as a Second Language (Count-In Speaking) (CX) 11, 21, 912025November1601511471431371311251078972
English as a Second Language (Speaking Endorsement) (AX) 11, 31, 512025November200----16515613311189
English as a Second Language (Speaking Endorsement) (BX) 11, 31, 812025November200----16515613311189
English as a Second Language (Speaking Endorsement) (FX) 21, 41, 512025November200187181175166157148128--
English as a Second Language (Speaking Endorsement) (GX) 21, 41, 812025November200187181175166157148128--
English as a Second Language (Speaking Endorsement) (MA) 21, 412025November200187181175166157148128--
English as a Second Language (Speaking Endorsement) (AX) 11, 31, 512025June200----16715412710073
English as a Second Language (Speaking Endorsement) (FX) 21, 41, 512025June200185177170158146135109--
English as a Second Language (Speaking Endorsement) (FY) 22, 42, 522025June200187180173160147135108--
English as a Second Language (Speaking Endorsement) (HX) 21, 41, 912025June200185177170158146135109--
Geography (CY) 12, 22, 832025November220181170158143127113906745
History (AX) 03, 11, 212025November15011410596867768544128
History (BX) 11, 21, 412025November1501009182726252413020
English as a Second Language (Speaking Endorsement) (MA) 21, 412025June200185177170158146135109--
English as a Second Language (Speaking Endorsement) (AX) 11, 21, 312025November1501431401371311261211059075
English as a Second Language (Speaking Endorsement) (B1) 11, 21, 812025November1501431401371311261211059075
English as a Second Language (Speaking Endorsement) (CX) 11, 21, 912025November1501431401371311261211059075
Mathematics (AX) 11, 312025November160----12190664320
Mathematics (BX) 21, 412025November2001811621431241068864--
English as a Second Language (Speaking Endorsement) (LA) 11, 212025November1501431401371311261211059075
English as a Second Language (Speaking Endorsement) (AX) 11, 21, 312025June1501431401371301231171008468
English as a Second Language (Speaking Endorsement) (AY) 12, 22, 322025June150141138136127118109947964
English as a Second Language (Speaking Endorsement) (BX) 11, 21, 81/912025June1501431401371301231171008468
English as a Second Language (Speaking Endorsement) (BY) 12, 22, 822025June150141138136127118109947964
English as a Second Language (Speaking Endorsement) (LA) 11, 212025June1501431401371301231171008468
First Language Arabic (7184) (A) 01, 022025November100767064575145362718
First Language Arabic (A) 01, 022025June100756862565145362718
Spanish (X) 03, 11, 21, 412025November20017415714112611298795940
First Language English (0990) (AR (A1) 03, 112025June160125115106968677614529
First Language English (0990) (AS (A2) 03, 122025June160124115106978879614427
First Language English (0990) (AX (A1) 03, 112025June160125115106968677614529
First Language English (0990) (BR (B1) 11, 212025June160119110102938476604429
First Language English (0990) (BS (B2) 12, 222025June160118110102948678614427
History (CY) 12, 22, 832025June15011210191827365534130
First Language English (0990) (BX (B1) 11, 212025June160119110102938476604429
First Language English (0990) (BY (B2) 12, 222025June160118110102948678614427
First Language English (0990) (CR (CJ1) 11, 832025June160123113104948475594327
First Language English (0990) (CR (CN1) 11, 932025June160123113104948475594327
First Language English (AR (A1) 03, 112025June160125115106968677614529
First Language English (AS (A2) 03, 122025November1601271181101009182624324
First Language English (AX (A1) 03, 112025June160125115106968677614529
First Language English (AY (A2) 03, 122025November1601271181101009182624324
First Language English (BR (B1) 11, 212025June160119110102938476604429
First Language English (BS (B2) 12, 222025November160122114106988981624324
First Language English (BX (B1) 11, 212025June160119110102938476604429
First Language English (BY (B2) 12, 222025November160122114106988981624324
First Language English (CR (CJ1) 11, 832025June160125115106968677614529
First Language English (CR (CN1) 11, 932025June160125115106968677614529
First Language English (CS (CJ2) 12, 832025November1601271181101009182624324
First Language English (CS (CN2) 12, 932025November160127118109999081624224
Information and Communication Technology (AY) 12, 21, 312025June280207188169149129110856137
Information and Communication Technology (BY) 12, 22, 312025June280207187168149130111866036
Information and Communication Technology (CY) 12, 21, 322025June280212193175155136117906438
Information and Communication Technology (DY) 12, 22, 322025June280212193174155136118916437
Information and Communication Technology (EX) 02, 03, 112025November280217194172150128106825834
Italian (Y) 03, 12, 22, 422025June200175157140127114101816141
Literature in English (AY) 12, 222025June100716457514539322620
Literature in English (BY) 12, 32, 422025June100746760534640332619
Literature in English (CY) 05, 12, 322025June100766963564943342517
Music (A) 02, 03, 122025June170134122110988674553719
Music (B (B1) 12, 82, 832025November1701371251131008775563719
Music (B (B2) 12, 92, 932025November170135123111988573553719
Physical Education (AY) 02, 122025June20015113912711710797765535
Physical Education (BY) 12, 822025June20015113912711710797765535
Physical Education (AX) 02, 112025November200160149138128117107846239
History (CX) 11, 21, 832025November15011910999908274604633
Physical Education (AY) 02, 122025June200145136127118109101775330
Physical Education (BX) 11, 822025November200160149138128117107846239
Physical Education (BY) 12, 822025June200145136127118109101775330

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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CIE IGCSE Grade Boundaries 2024

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

SubjectYearMonthMaximum MarkGrade 9Grade 8Grade 7Grade 6Grade 5Grade 4Grade 3Grade 2Grade 1
Accounting (AX) 11, 212024June1431089174614937302316
Accounting (AY) 12, 222024June14311610186705540322417
Accounting (AY) 12, 222024November14311610288735843332415
Art and Design (A) 01, 022024June20017315313412010794704622
Art and Design (A) 01, 022024November20017315313412010794704622
Biology (BX) 21, 41, 512024June2001661501341159779655239
Biology (CX) 21, 41, 612024June2001671511351169880665239
Biology (CY) 22, 42, 622024June20017716114512710991735537
Biology (FX) 11, 31, 512024June200131115937251
Biology (GX) 11, 31, 612024June200132116947251
Biology (GY) 12, 32, 622024June200131115978063
Biology (BY) 22, 42, 522024November200175161147131116101836547
Biology (CY) 22, 42, 622024November200175161148132116101836547
Biology (GY) 12, 32, 622024November200145120977452
Business Studies (X) 11, 212024June160988675645444352618
Business Studies (X) 11, 212024November1601099683705846362616
Business Studies (Y) 12, 222024June1601079787756352402918
Chemistry (BX) 21, 41, 512024June2001691521351169778634935
Chemistry (CX) 21, 41, 612024June2001691531371179778645037
Chemistry (CY) 22, 42, 622024June2001711561411209979655138
Chemistry (FX) 11, 31, 512024June200126106836038
Chemistry (GX) 11, 31, 612024June200127106846240
Chemistry (GY) 12, 32, 622024June200117102816141
Chemistry (CY) 22, 42, 622024November20016214713311610084675135
Chemistry (GY) 12, 32, 622024November200134109886747
Co-Ordinated Sciences (Double Award) (CX) 21, 41, 612024June24018416514712810990745842
Co-Ordinated Sciences (Double Award) (CX) 21, 41, 612024November24018316414512610788725640
Co-Ordinated Sciences (Double Award) (CY) 22, 42, 622024June240196178160140121102816141
Co-Ordinated Sciences (Double Award) (GX) 11, 31, 612024June240140115947454
Co-Ordinated Sciences (Double Award) (GX) 11, 31, 612024November240132111896847
Co-Ordinated Sciences (Double Award) (GY) 12, 32, 622024June240147114937251
Computer Science (AX) 11, 212024June15011610084685338302316
Computer Science (AY) 12, 222024June15012611095786145352515
Computer Science (AY) 12, 222024November11210088756351392715
Design and Technology (AY) 02, 12, 322024June20015714513412211099816447
Design and Technology (BY) 02, 12, 422024June200168156144130116103836344
Design and Technology (CY) 02, 12, 522024June200170158146133120107866544
Design and Technology (DY (DY1) 12, 32, 822024November200159148137125114103846648
Design and Technology (DY (DY2) 12, 32, 922024November200159148137125114103846648
Design and Technology (FY (FY1) 12, 52, 822024November200171160149135122109876645
Design and Technology (FY (FY2) 12, 52, 922024November200171160149135122109876645
Drama (AY) 02, 122024June200167157148135123111855934
Drama (AY) 02, 122024November200169159150137124111855934
Economics (X) 11, 212024June15011210497877767534027
Economics (Y) 12, 222024June150120111103907866523926
Economics (Y) 12, 222024November150132119107958473594531
English (as an Additional Language) (X) 03, 11, 21, 412024June18016114613111810593735333
English as a Second Language (Count-In Speaking) (AX) 11, 21, 312024November1601511471441371311251078972
English as a Second Language (Count-In Speaking) (BX) 11, 21, 812024November1601511471441371311251078972
English as a Second Language (Count-In Speaking) (CX) 11, 21, 912024November1601511471431371311251078972
English as a Second Language (Speaking Endorsement) (AX) 11, 21, 312024November1501431401371311261211059075
English as a Second Language (Speaking Endorsement) (B1) 11, 21, 812024November1501431401371311261211059075
English as a Second Language (Speaking Endorsement) (CX) 11, 21, 912024November1501431401371311261211059075
English as a Second Language (Speaking Endorsement) (LA) 11, 212024November1501431401371311261211059075
English as a Second Language (Speaking Endorsement) (AX) 11, 21, 312024June1501431401371301231171008468
English as a Second Language (Speaking Endorsement) (AY) 12, 22, 322024June150141138136127118109947964
English as a Second Language (Speaking Endorsement) (BX) 11, 21, 81/912024June1501431401371301231171008468
English as a Second Language (Speaking Endorsement) (BY) 12, 22, 822024June150141138136127118109947964
English as a Second Language (Speaking Endorsement) (LA) 11, 212024June1501431401371301231171008468
First Language Arabic (A) 01, 022024June100736660544944352617
First Language Arabic (A) 01, 022024November100767064575145362718
First Language English (AR (A1) 03, 112024June160125115106968677614529
First Language English (AS (A2) 03, 122024June160121112104958779624528
First Language English (AS (A2) 03, 122024November1601311221131039383624121
First Language English (AX (A1) 03, 112024June160125115106968677614529
First Language English (AY (A2) 03, 122024June160121112104958779624528
First Language English (AY (A2) 03, 122024November1601311221131039383624121
First Language English (BR (B1) 11, 212024June160119110102938476604429
First Language English (BS (B2) 12, 222024June160115107100928578614428
First Language English (BS (B2) 12, 222024November1601261181101019283624121
First Language English (BX (B1) 11, 212024June160119110102938476604429
First Language English (BY (B2) 12, 222024June160115107100928578614428
First Language English (BY (B2) 12, 222024November1601261181101019283624121
First Language English (CR (CJ1) 11, 832024June160125115106968677614529
First Language English (CR (CN1) 11, 932024June160125115106968677614529
First Language English (CS (CJ2) 12, 832024June160121112104958779624528
First Language English (CS (CJ2) 12, 832024November1601311221131039383624121
First Language English (CS (CN2) 12, 932024June160121112104958779624528
First Language English (CS (CN2) 12, 932024November1601311221131039383624121
French (X) 03, 11, 21, 412024June20017215714212611196755535
French (Y) 03, 12, 22, 422024June200170157144129115101795837
French (Y) 03, 12, 22, 422024November20016815514212711297765636
Geography (AY) 03, 12, 222024June220185174163147131116926845
Geography (BY) 12, 22, 422024June220174163152137122108856341
Geography (CY) 12, 22, 832024June220185174163147131116926845
Geography (AY) 03, 12, 222024November220191178165149134119967350
Geography (BY) 12, 22, 422024November220186172159143128113927150
German (Y) 03, 12, 22, 422024June200176159143128114100785635
German (Y) 03, 12, 22, 422024November200174158143129116103826140
History (AY) 03, 12, 222024June15011310393857871604939
History (BY) 12, 22, 422024June150978777685951433528
History (CY) 12, 22, 832024June15011210191827365534130
History (AX) 03, 11, 212024November150119109100918274614836
History (BX) 11, 21, 412024November1501039384746455443323
History (CX) 11, 21, 832024November15011910999908274604633
Information and Communication Technology (AY) 12, 21, 312024June280212191171151131111876340
Information and Communication Technology (BY) 12, 22, 312024June280214193173153133114896440
Information and Communication Technology (CY) 12, 21, 322024June280216195174154134115906540
Information and Communication Technology (DY) 12, 22, 322024June280218197177157137117916540
Information and Communication Technology (EX) 02, 03, 112024November280214190166144122100795837
Italian (Y) 03, 12, 22, 422024June200174156139126113100806041
Literature in English (AY) 12, 222024June100716457504438322620
Literature in English (BY) 12, 32, 422024June100746760534639322620
Literature in English (CY) 05, 12, 322024June100766963564942332517
Mathematics (AY) 12, 322024June16010989664321
Mathematics (BY) 22, 422024June2001801651501281068560
Mathematics (AX) 11, 312024November16011888644017
Mathematics (BX) 21, 412024November2001801601401211028460
Music (A) 02, 03, 122024June170134122110988675563719
Physical Education (AY) 02, 122024June20015113912711710797765535
Physical Education (BY) 12, 822024June20015113912711710797765535
Physical Education (AX) 02, 112024November200158147136126116106846240
Physical Education (BX) 11, 822024November200158147136126116106846240
Physics (BX) 21, 41, 512024June2001501341191028670615244
Physics (CX) 21, 41, 612024June2001501361221069074645445
Physics (CY) 22, 42, 622024June2001521381241079074604734
Physics (FX) 11, 31, 512024June200126113947557
Physics (GX) 11, 31, 612024June200130117977758
Physics (GY) 12, 32, 622024June200127113927150
Physics (BX) 21, 41, 512024November2001551371201069278645036
Physics (CX) 21, 41, 612024November2001531351171038976624834
Physics (GX) 11, 31, 612024November2001361201008162
Spanish (Y) 03, 12, 22, 422024June20017115514012611298785839
Spanish (X) 03, 11, 21, 412024November20017215513912411096775839

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What to do after the 2025 CIE IGCSE grade boundaries are released: Next steps

Once the 2025 CIE IGCSE 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 IGCSEs or just want to boost your confidence before embarking on your next steps, our IGCSE 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 CIE IGCSE grade boundaries may look like.

We'll be updating our comprehensive CIE IGCSE 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