What Is the Hardest A Level Exam Board?

Lots of students wonder if some A Level exam boards are harder than others. But is one exam board really harder than the rest? Let’s break it down by looking at the three main boards in England: AQA, Edexcel, and OCR.

• AQA: the biggest exam board, used in thousands of schools across England.

• Edexcel: popular for Maths, Economics, and Sciences.

• OCR: known for both Humanities and Sciences, with a reputation for data-heavy exam questions.

Do Exam Boards Really Differ in Difficulty?

First things first: all A Level exam boards are regulated by Ofqual (opens in a new tab), the government body that makes sure exams across all boards are consistent and fair. 

This means that the difficulty level of exams from one board to another should be the same. However, small differences do exist and can impact how hard you might find your exams.

Some of these differences include:

• Mark Scheme Strictness: Some boards might be more lenient with marking, while others might require more detailed responses. This could affect how easy it is to get the marks you need.
  

• Grade Boundaries: Each board sets different grade boundaries based on how students perform. While these boundaries are adjusted each year, some students find that a board with lower boundaries makes it easier to achieve higher grades.
  

• Question Style: Some boards might ask more analytical questions, while others may focus on testing factual knowledge. This can make a difference if you find one style easier than another.
  

• Resources and Support Materials: The quality of textbooks, revision guides, and past papers also varies across boards. Some exam boards offer more helpful resources, which could make a big difference when preparing for your exams.

Exam Board Comparison

To help you compare AQA, Edexcel, and OCR, we’ve put together this table of key factors: 

So, while no exam board is officially “harder” than another, each one has its own style:

• AQA feels more wordy and essay-based, which can be tricky if you’re not confident with longer written answers.

• Edexcel is popular for Maths and Sciences, rewarding good problem-solving, but higher grade boundaries can make it feel tougher.

• OCR often sets data-heavy questions, especially in the Sciences, which some students struggle with, but others find straightforward if they like logical analysis.

The key takeaway: what feels “hard” depends less on the board itself and more on your subject strengths and how well you practise with past papers. Have a look at Save My Exams for A Level revision, including past papers, revision notes, and mark schemes to help you get exam-ready.

How Do AQA, Edexcel, and OCR Results Compare?

Here’s how the three main boards compare, using selected 2024 grade statistics from AQA, Edexcel, and OCR reports. 

What the 2024 Results Tell Us

When you look at the 2024 results, you can see each exam board has its own strengths and challenges. Let’s take a closer look: 

• AQA: Around 8–9% got A* and 36–40% A or above, roughly the national average. With 85% passing at C or higher, AQA is consistent and well-supported with plenty of revision resources.
  

• Edexcel: Stronger at the top end, especially in Maths and Sciences — 11–12% A* and 40–50% A or above. About 87% passed at C or higher. Grade boundaries can be higher, so you need more marks per grade.
  

• OCR: Similar to AQA with 9% A* and 35–40% A or above, but pass rates swing from 76–87% depending on subject. Sciences can feel tougher with data-heavy questions, though logical thinkers may find this works in their favour.

How to Choose an Exam Board for A Levels

Most students don’t actually get to pick their exam board – your school or college usually makes that decision for you. But there are a couple of situations where you might have a choice:

• Private candidates – if you’re entering exams outside of school, you can choose which board to sit with.
  

• Switching centres – if you move schools or colleges, you may find the new place uses a different exam board.

If you do have a say, don’t waste time worrying about which one is “easiest.” Remember, they’re all regulated to be fair. Instead, think about what will actually help you succeed:

• Resources: Does the board have plenty of textbooks, revision guides, and past papers?
  

• Your strengths: Do you prefer essay-style questions, data analysis, or structured calculations?
  

• Teacher experience: Having a teacher who knows the exam board inside out is often more important than the board itself.

The bottom line: pick the board that matches your learning style and gives you the best support, not the one you think might be “less difficult.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Is AQA harder than Edexcel?

Not really. It depends on the subject and the style of questions. Some students might find Edexcel’s questions more challenging because they are more analytical, while AQA might seem more balanced.

Which exam board is best for sciences?

There isn’t a single “best” exam board — it really depends on how you learn. Here’s a quick breakdown for Biology, Chemistry, and Physics:

• AQA: Often clear and straightforward. Resources are easy to follow and mark schemes are well-structured. Biology does include some longer essay-style questions, so be ready to practise writing in detail.
  

• Edexcel: Often seen as tougher at the top end, especially in Chemistry and Physics, with more complex problem-solving questions. Works well for confident students who enjoy deeper analysis and calculations.
  

• OCR: Known for data-heavy questions, especially in Biology and Physics. If you’re good at applying knowledge to practical scenarios and interpreting graphs or experiments, OCR might suit you

Can I switch exam boards mid-course?

Yes, but it’s not always straightforward. Each exam board covers slightly different topics, so switching might mean extra work to catch up on anything new. It usually makes sense only at the first part of Year 12, before you’ve gone too far into the course. Always talk to your school or exam centre first – they’ll know if switching is realistic.

Do universities prefer certain exam boards?

No. Universities treat all exam boards equally. An A in AQA Chemistry carries the same weight as an A in OCR Chemistry. What matters most is your final grade, not which board you sat with.

Final Thoughts

The "hardest" A Level exam board is not fixed – it really depends on the subject you're studying and how you learn best. The key is to focus on mastering your exam technique, no matter which board you're sitting the exam with. All exam boards are designed to test your knowledge and skills, so with the right revision strategies and mindset, you'll be able to do well in any exam.

That’s exactly where Save My Exams can help. We have heaps of revision tools to help you succeed in your A Level exams, no matter what exam board you’re with. From past papers to revision notes to mock exams, we make it easier to understand tricky topics, practise exam-style questions, and build the confidence you need to do well in your exams.

Good luck with your A Levels!

Sources

Ofqual - (opens in a new tab)GOV.UK (opens in a new tab)  (opens in a new tab)

AQA Results statistics (opens in a new tab)

ARcexams data PDF  (opens in a new tab)

Results trends 2024: A Levels (opens in a new tab)