Skip to main content
Summer 2026 boundaries now published

A-Level Grade Boundaries 2026

The Summer 2026 boundaries were published on 13 August 2026. Find the official tables for your exam board, understand how A*–E boundaries are set, and use AI marking on practice essays.

Official June 2026 A-Level Grade Boundaries

Raw marks needed for each grade across the whole A-Level, taken from each exam board's published document. Subjects where the boundary depends on the options you took, such as History and English Literature, have a different boundary for each route, so check your board's document for those.

AQA

AQA A-Level grade boundaries, June 2026, raw marks
SubjectMaxA*ABCDE
Biology (7402)260199 (77%)174 (67%)146 (56%)118 (45%)90 (35%)63 (24%)
Business (7132)300212 (71%)192 (64%)165 (55%)138 (46%)111 (37%)85 (28%)
Chemistry (7405)300255 (85%)220 (73%)181 (60%)142 (47%)104 (35%)66 (22%)
Economics (7136)240178 (74%)154 (64%)132 (55%)110 (46%)88 (37%)66 (28%)
English Language (7702)500432 (86%)397 (79%)343 (69%)290 (58%)237 (47%)184 (37%)
Geography (7037)300246 (82%)219 (73%)189 (63%)160 (53%)131 (44%)102 (34%)
Psychology (7182)288229 (80%)205 (71%)170 (59%)135 (47%)101 (35%)67 (23%)
Sociology (7192)240186 (78%)167 (70%)142 (59%)118 (49%)94 (39%)70 (29%)

Source: Grade boundaries – June 2026 exams, A-level (v1.0, 13 August 2026)

Pearson Edexcel

Pearson Edexcel A-Level grade boundaries, June 2026, raw marks
SubjectMaxA*ABCDE
Economics A (9EC0)335288 (86%)265 (79%)230 (69%)195 (58%)160 (48%)126 (38%)
Mathematics (9MA0)300254 (85%)210 (70%)173 (58%)136 (45%)100 (33%)64 (21%)
Psychology (9PS0)270162 (60%)140 (52%)116 (43%)93 (34%)70 (26%)47 (17%)

Source: Grade boundaries – Edexcel GCE AS/A Level – June 2026

OCR

OCR A-Level grade boundaries, June 2026, raw marks
SubjectMaxA*ABCDE
Biology A (H420)270204 (76%)176 (65%)150 (56%)124 (46%)98 (36%)72 (27%)
Chemistry A (H432)270234 (87%)200 (74%)164 (61%)128 (47%)92 (34%)56 (21%)
Computer Science (H446)350289 (83%)254 (73%)216 (62%)178 (51%)141 (40%)104 (30%)
Physics A (H556)270207 (77%)178 (66%)151 (56%)124 (46%)97 (36%)70 (26%)
Religious Studies (H573)360295 (82%)254 (71%)212 (59%)170 (47%)129 (36%)88 (24%)

Source: A Level qualification grade boundaries – June 2026 series (v1.2, 14 September 2026)

What Are A-Level Grade Boundaries?

A-Level grade boundaries are the minimum raw marks needed to achieve each grade (A* to E) in an A-Level exam. Unlike GCSEs which use a 9-1 scale, A-Levels retain the traditional letter grades from A* down to E.

Boundaries are set after marking is complete each summer. The process ensures that if a paper was harder than in previous years, the boundaries are lowered, and vice versa. This maintains fairness across exam sessions.

In today's linear A-Levels, A* has its own boundary on the total mark, set by the exam board each year alongside the other grades. The older rule (an A overall and 90% on the A2 units) belonged to the modular A-Levels that have since been replaced.

Typical A-Level Grade Boundaries

These are approximate percentage ranges based on recent years. Actual boundaries vary significantly by subject, exam board, and year.

GradeTypical %Description
A*~90%+Exceptional. Has its own boundary on the total mark, set separately for each subject.
A~80%Excellent. Demonstrates thorough subject knowledge and analytical skill.
B~70%Very good. Strong understanding with mostly accurate and well-developed responses.
C~60%Good. Competent work with reasonable knowledge and some analytical depth.
D~50%Satisfactory. Basic understanding demonstrated with limited development.
E~40%Minimum pass. Shows some relevant knowledge but lacks depth and accuracy.

Note: These percentages are indicative only. Actual grade boundaries are set by each exam board after marking is complete and may differ significantly from these ranges.

Want to know your likely A-Level grade?

Upload an essay and get a predicted grade with feedback against the mark scheme. A-Level marking is part of Premium.

Mark my A-Level essay

A-Level UCAS Tariff Points

Universities use UCAS tariff points to compare qualifications. Here is how A-Level grades convert.

A*56points
A48points
B40points
C32points
D24points
E16points

How Are A-Level Grade Boundaries Set?

Expert marking

All exam papers are marked by trained examiners following detailed mark schemes set by the exam board.

Statistical modelling

Exam boards analyse mark distributions and compare cohort performance with prior attainment data.

Script review

Senior examiners review scripts at key boundary points to ensure the standard of work matches the intended grade.

Regulatory oversight

Ofqual monitors the process to ensure standards remain consistent across years and between exam boards.

How AI Marking Helps Predict Your A-Level Grade

With university offers hinging on A-Level results, understanding where you stand is critical. AI marking gives you immediate, mark-scheme-aligned feedback so you can refine your exam technique before the real thing.

Grade Estimates

Get an estimated grade for each piece of work based on official mark schemes and assessment objective weightings.

AO Breakdowns

See how you perform against each assessment objective. Identify whether you need to improve knowledge, analysis, or evaluation.

Progress Tracking

Submit essays over time to track improvement. Understand whether you are moving towards higher boundaries or need to change approach.

Predict Your A-Level Grade Before Results Day

Upload your A-Level essays and get instant AI feedback aligned to official mark schemes. A-Level marking is part of Premium.

Frequently Asked Questions