GCSE Grade Boundaries 2026

A grade boundary is the lowest mark that earns a particular grade. If the grade 6 boundary in a subject is 118, then 118 marks gets a grade 6, and 117 marks gets a grade 5.

Boundaries are set by the exam board after every paper has been marked. They change a little each year, because the papers are not identical in difficulty. A slightly harder paper usually means slightly lower boundaries.

The boundaries on this page are the ones the boards published this year, for the papers Orion students sat. They are the real figures, not estimates.

If your mark is close to a boundary, ask about a review of marking. This applies to work marked by the exam board. Coursework and other work marked in school follows a different process. Speak to your subject teacher or the exams office either way. There are deadlines, so ask early rather than leaving it.