Guide to A Level Exam Boards in the UK

Reviewed by: Liam Taft

Published

2 September 2025

Contents

Choosing your A Levels is already a big decision. But there’s another factor many students overlook – your exam board. If you’ve ever wondered why two friends studying the same subject in different schools have slightly different topics or assessments, the answer is simple: exam boards.

In this guide, we’ll break down the main A Level exam boards in the UK, show how they differ, and explain why it matters for your revision and exam preparation.

By the end, you’ll know exactly how to check which board you’re with, what makes each one unique, and how to tailor your studies to thrive in the exam hall.

What Are Exam Boards and Why Do They Matter?

An exam board is basically the organisation in charge of your exams. They’re the people who:

Write the exam papers you’ll sit in the hall and/or set coursework.
Decide the mark schemes that teachers and examiners use when marking your work.
Award you your final grade.

In the UK, all exam boards are regulated by Ofqual (opens in a new tab) (opens in a new tab)(the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation). That means no board can make their exams much easier or harder than the others – everything has to stay fair and consistent.

An A Level is the same qualification no matter which exam board you’re with. But the way the course is structured, taught, and assessed can vary slightly. Once you know your exam board, it’s easy to understand these differences and prepare with confidence.

The differences mainly show up in things like:

Topics: Different boards may focus more heavily on certain areas of a subject than others.
Question style: Some boards write very clear, step-by-step questions, while others prefer open-ended or more analytical ones.
Assessment format: One board might place more weight on coursework, while another relies more on exam performance.

That’s why knowing your exam board is so important. The qualification on your CV or UCAS application (opens in a new tab) carries the same weight, but the exam experience – the questions you face, the way you’re marked, and the style of revision that works best – can feel completely different.

Overview of the Main A Level Exam Boards

There are five main exam boards in the UK, but most students will only come across the “big three”: AQA, Edexcel, and OCR.

Schools and colleges choose which board to use for each subject, so you don’t always get a choice. But understanding their differences will help you prepare.

AQA (Assessment and Qualifications Alliance)

The largest exam board in the UK – most widely used in schools.
Known for clear command words in questions (“explain”, “evaluate”, “calculate”) which help students understand exactly what’s being asked.
Students often find mark schemes accessible, with straightforward, step-by-step criteria.
Excellent range of resources, including past papers, mark schemes, examiner reports, and textbooks designed directly for AQA specifications.
Strong in popular subjects like Psychology, Sociology, English, and Sciences.

Find out more about AQA. (opens in a new tab)

Edexcel (Pearson Edexcel)

Run by Pearson, one of the world’s biggest education companies.
Strong reputation in STEM subjects like Maths, Physics, and Chemistry.
Exam papers are known for structured layouts and consistency, which many students appreciate when practising.
Includes both written exams and coursework in some subjects.
Also offers International A Levels (IALs), popular with overseas and private candidates.

Find out more about Edexcel (Pearson) (opens in a new tab)

OCR (Oxford, Cambridge and RSA)

Part of the University of Cambridge assessment group.
Seen as more conceptual and challenging than some other boards.
Favoured in both sciences and humanities.
Often uses questions that test analysis and interpretation, not just memorisation.
Popular for History, Religious Studies, and Sciences.

Find out more about OCR (opens in a new tab)

WJEC / Eduqas

WJEC is the main exam board in Wales; Eduqas is its branch for England.
Less common in English schools but still fully recognised across the UK.
Known for detailed subject specifications and clear guidance on what to study.
Favoured by some schools for creative subjects and in-depth coursework.
Often chosen by private candidates for niche subjects.

Find out more about WJEC / Eduqas (opens in a new tab)

Key Differences Between Exam Boards

Here’s where things get interesting. While A Levels are standardised, the way they are assessed and taught can feel very different depending on your exam board.

Assessment Style

Each board has its own flavour when it comes to exam style:

Exam Board	Essay Questions	Practicals / Applied Tasks	Problem-Solving & Data	Coursework Weighting
AQA (opens in a new tab)	Clear essay questions with structured command words.	Sciences include practical skills tested through written questions.	Strong focus on application and data analysis, especially in Biology and Psychology.	Coursework in some subjects (e.g. English, Geography) but usually a smaller percentage.
Edexcel (opens in a new tab)	Essays are structured and predictable, especially in Business and Economics.	Practical work in Sciences is integrated into written papers.	Heavy on problem-solving, especially in Maths and Physics. Consistency makes it easier to practise.	Coursework present in creative/practical subjects (e.g. Art, Drama).
OCR (opens in a new tab)	Known for more open-ended and conceptual essays in Humanities.	Practical-based questions can be more detailed, testing understanding of experimental design.	Strong emphasis on analysis and evaluation across subjects.	Coursework can carry significant weight in subjects like History and English.
Eduqas (opens in a new tab)	Essays require depth and detailed knowledge, especially in English and Media.	Practical and applied tasks are clearly linked to the specification.	Often data-heavy in Sciences, but still balanced with extended writing.	Coursework weighting tends to be higher, especially in creative and applied subjects.

So, If you’re someone who likes clear, step-by-step instructions, AQA might feel most comfortable. If you thrive on problem-solving and consistency, Edexcel may be a good fit. For students who enjoy a challenge and deeper analysis, OCR could be the most rewarding.

Grade Boundaries

Grade boundaries shift each year depending on how students perform, but trends can differ across boards:

AQA & Edexcel: Large entry numbers, so grade boundaries tend to be stable.
OCR: Sometimes seen as tougher due to more abstract questions, but grade boundaries usually reflect this.
WJEC / Eduqas: Smaller entry numbers mean grade boundaries can fluctuate more from year to year.

How to Find Out Which Exam Board You’re With

Not sure which board you’re sitting? Don’t panic – it’s easy to check:

Ask your teacher or exams office. They’ll know immediately.
Check your exam timetable. The board is usually listed.
Look at subject codes. Each board uses different numbering systems.
Check textbooks. Many are written specifically for certain boards.

It’s also important to note that you may have different exam boards for each subject.

Private candidates: Make sure to check which boards your nearest exam centre offers. Not all centres can host every subject or every board.

How to Choose Your A Level Exam Board

Most students won’t get to choose, but if you’re a private candidate or comparing schools, here’s how to decide:

Think about your strengths: Do you prefer structured, predictable questions (Edexcel) or open-ended analysis (OCR)?
Look at resources: AQA has the broadest range of textbooks and past papers, while Eduqas has very detailed specifications.
Ask teachers for advice: They’ll know which board has worked best in their experience.
Check past papers: Pick a few and try them out – which style feels most comfortable?

If you’re wondering which is the hardest or easiest exam board? Our helpful guides have got you covered. But, spoiler alert, there isn’t really a hardest or easiest exam board – it all comes down to your preferred exam-questioning style.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does it matter which A Level exam board I have?

Not when it comes to university applications or jobs – all A Levels are treated equally and carry the same value. What does matter, though, is the exam experience. Different boards can set different topics, question styles, and assessment formats. This means your revision strategy should be shaped around your exam board to give you the best chance of success.

Can I change exam boards?

Usually, no. Once you’ve started a course, it’s very difficult to switch because the content and assessments are not identical. However, if you’re a private candidate, you do have more flexibility. You can choose whichever board is offered by your exam centre. But make sure to check the specification before committing, so you know what you’ll be studying.

Are past papers different between boards?

Yes, each exam board has its own question style, paper layout, and mark scheme. Practising with the wrong board’s papers could leave you unprepared for the real exam. Always double-check that you’re using past papers and revision resources designed for your exam board.

Is one exam board “easier”?

No exam board is officially easier than another. Ofqual regulates standards to make sure grades carry the same weight, no matter which board you sit with. However, the style of a board may feel easier or harder depending on your strengths.

Final Thoughts

All A Level exam boards in the UK aim to test the same skills and award comparable qualifications. But the differences in exam structure, assessment style, and grade boundaries can have a big impact on your preparation.

The most important step is to know your exam board early. Use the specification to guide your A Level revision, practise with the right past papers, and take advantage of board-specific resources. That way, you’ll walk into your exams confident, prepared, and ready to show off your best work.

You’ve got this.