Grade boundaries are the minimum raw marks you need to achieve each GCSE grade, including the grade 9 boundary. They change every year because exam difficulty varies and awarding bodies use statistical standardisation to keep standards consistent across cohorts.
If you scored 150 raw marks on AQA GCSE Maths Foundation in June 2026, you earned a grade 4. The same 150 marks might land differently in summer 2027 because next year's papers will have different questions and a different national performance profile.
Understanding boundaries helps you interpret past paper scores during revision. If you are hitting grade 5 territory on 2026 papers, you know roughly where you stand, but the final threshold in 2027 will depend on that year's paper difficulty and how all candidates perform.
How are grade boundaries set?
Exam boards do not set boundaries before results day. After marking finishes, senior examiners review a sample of scripts at key grade borders (typically grade 4 and grade 7) and decide what standard of work deserves each grade. Statistical data on the cohort's performance then helps position the remaining boundaries so that national standards stay stable year on year.
If a paper turns out harder than expected, boundaries drop to ensure students are not penalised. If a paper is easier, boundaries rise slightly. This process is called comparable outcomes, and it means a grade 6 in 2026 represents roughly the same level of achievement as a grade 6 in 2027, even though the exact raw mark thresholds will differ.
The process applies to each tier separately. Foundation papers target grades 1 to 5, while Higher papers target grades 4 to 9. Because Higher papers are more demanding, the raw mark needed for a grade 4 on Higher is often lower than the grade 4 threshold on Foundation, even though both award the same final grade.
AQA/Edexcel/OCR 2026 boundaries
Below are the verified overall raw mark thresholds published in August 2026, including the grade 9 boundary on Higher tier papers. Always double-check the official board PDF before treating any mark as definitive, because some specifications have multiple tiers or pathway options not fully detailed here.
AQA GCSE June 2026
Maths (8300)
| Grade | Foundation (max 240) | Higher (max 240) |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | - | 219 |
| 8 | - | 192 |
| 7 | - | 166 |
| 6 | - | 131 |
| 5 | 187 | 97 |
| 4 | 154 | 63 |
| 3 | 115 | 46 |
| 2 | 76 | - |
| 1 | 38 | - |
English Language (8700) - max 160
| Grade | Overall |
|---|---|
| 9 | 122 |
| 8 | 112 |
| 7 | 103 |
| 6 | 93 |
| 5 | 84 |
| 4 | 75 |
| 3 | 55 |
| 2 | 35 |
| 1 | 16 |
English Literature (8702) - max 160
| Grade | Overall |
|---|---|
| 9 | 142 |
| 8 | 127 |
| 7 | 113 |
| 6 | 97 |
| 5 | 81 |
| 4 | 66 |
| 3 | 49 |
| 2 | 33 |
| 1 | 17 |
Combined Science Trilogy (8464) Higher - max 420 (selected double grades)
| Double grade | Overall mark |
|---|---|
| 9-9 | 298 |
| 8-8 | 262 |
| 7-7 | 228 |
| 6-6 | 188 |
| 5-5 | 149 |
| 4-4 | 111 |
For the full grid including all intermediate double grades (9-8, 8-7, 7-6, etc.), see the official AQA grade boundaries PDF.
Source: AQA GCSE Grade Boundaries June 2026 (PDF) - published 20 August 2026. Always check the most recent PDF at www.aqa.org.uk/exams-administration/results-days/grade-boundaries.
Edexcel (Pearson) GCSE June 2026
Maths (1MA1)
| Grade | Foundation (max 240) | Higher (max 240) |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | - | 208 |
| 8 | - | 177 |
| 7 | - | 146 |
| 6 | - | 114 |
| 5 | 181 | 82 |
| 4 | 151 | 50 |
| 3 | 110 | 34 |
| 2 | 69 | - |
| 1 | 29 | - |
English Language (1EN0) - max 160
| Grade | Overall |
|---|---|
| 9 | 132 |
| 8 | 123 |
| 7 | 115 |
| 6 | 105 |
| 5 | 96 |
| 4 | 87 |
| 3 | 67 |
| 2 | 47 |
| 1 | 27 |
English Literature (1ET0) - max 160
| Grade | Overall |
|---|---|
| 9 | 136 |
| 8 | 126 |
| 7 | 116 |
| 6 | 102 |
| 5 | 88 |
| 4 | 75 |
| 3 | 56 |
| 2 | 37 |
| 1 | 18 |
Combined Science (1SC0) Higher - max 360 (selected double grades)
| Double grade | Overall mark |
|---|---|
| 9-9 | 282 |
| 8-8 | 251 |
| 7-7 | 221 |
| 6-6 | 183 |
| 5-5 | 145 |
| 4-4 | 111 |
Combined Science (1SC0) Foundation - max 360 (selected double grades)
| Double grade | Overall mark |
|---|---|
| 5-5 | 231 |
| 4-4 | 194 |
| 3-3 | 142 |
| 2-2 | 91 |
| 1-1 | 41 |
The full grid includes all intermediate pairings. Check the official Pearson PDF for complete details.
Source: Pearson Edexcel GCSE Grade Boundaries June 2026 (PDF). For future updates, visit qualifications.pearson.com grade boundaries support.
OCR GCSE June 2026
Maths (J560)
| Grade | Foundation (max 300) | Higher (max 300) |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | - | 264 |
| 8 | - | 217 |
| 7 | - | 170 |
| 6 | - | 132 |
| 5 | 183 | 94 |
| 4 | 133 | 57 |
| 3 | 96 | 38 |
| 2 | 59 | - |
| 1 | 23 | - |
English Language (J351) - max 160
| Grade | Overall |
|---|---|
| 9 | 132 |
| 8 | 121 |
| 7 | 110 |
| 6 | 98 |
| 5 | 86 |
| 4 | 75 |
| 3 | 58 |
| 2 | 42 |
| 1 | 26 |
English Literature (J352) - max 160
| Grade | Overall |
|---|---|
| 9 | 135 |
| 8 | 119 |
| 7 | 104 |
| 6 | 85 |
| 5 | 66 |
| 4 | 47 |
| 3 | 35 |
| 2 | 24 |
| 1 | 13 |
Combined Science Gateway (J250) Higher - max 360 (sample boundary)
| Double grade | Overall mark |
|---|---|
| 9-9 | 275 |
Combined Science Gateway (J250) Foundation (sample boundary)
| Double grade | Overall mark |
|---|---|
| 5-5 | 209 |
OCR publishes full double-grade ladders in the official PDF. These figures are illustrative; always verify your pathway and component breakdown.
Source: OCR GCSE Grade Boundaries June 2026 (PDF). Check future boundaries at www.ocr.org.uk/administration/grade-boundaries.
Will boundaries be lower in 2027?
Nobody knows until after June 2027 papers are marked. If the 2027 exams are harder or cohort performance dips, boundaries will fall to maintain grade standards. If papers are easier or students perform better, boundaries will rise.
What you can predict is the pattern: Foundation tier grade 5 thresholds typically sit around 75 to 80 per cent of maximum marks, while Higher tier grade 4 boundaries often fall between 20 and 30 per cent because Higher papers are more challenging. Grade 7 on Higher usually requires roughly 65 to 75 per cent.
The June 2026 boundaries above give you a baseline for interpreting practice paper scores. If you are consistently hitting 160 raw marks on AQA Maths Higher papers, you would have earned a grade 6 in 2026. Aim for similar or better in your mocks, but remember the live 2027 thresholds will be recalibrated on results day.
Prepare with Lift College
Use the June 2026 boundaries above to gauge progress on past papers, then always cross-check the official board PDF before treating any threshold as final. Boundaries move every year.
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Also see GCSE Maths past papers, GCSE results day 2027, and the GCSE Maths qualifications page.