Students are celebrating their GCSE results today (August 20) after weeks of anticipation and hard work.
Behind those grades are the all-important exam board grade boundaries, which determine what mark is needed for each grade.
Each subject and exam board has its own set of grade boundaries, determining the minimum number of marks required to achieve each grade.
These boundaries vary between boards and now, the 2026 grade boundaries have been published for AQA, OCR, Pearson Edexcel and WJEC.
GCSE grade boundaries for AQA, OCR, Edexcel and WJEC
AQA GCSE grade boundaries for 2026
AQA covers subjects including Geography, History, Art & Design, Economics, Computer Science, and Drama.
The grade boundaries for those who took AQA exams for their GCSEs can be found on their website here.
OCR GCSE grade boundaries for 2026
OCR offers a similarly broad range, from core subjects to Psychology and Music.
You can find the grade boundaries on the OCR website.
Edexcel GCSE grade boundaries for 2026
Pearson Edexcel includes Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, and Design & Technology.
The grade boundaries for Pearson Edexcel can be located on its website here.
WJEC GCSE grade boundaries for 2026
WJEC (Welsh Joint Education Committee) covers English Literature, Welsh Literature, Sciences, and a range of modern languages.
Grade boundaries for exams from WJEC are available to find on their website here.
Each exam board's grade boundaries help students and schools understand how raw exam marks translate into final grades.
Students and parents are advised to review the official grade boundaries to better understand the results and what they mean in terms of performance and progression.
How do grade boundaries differ in England and Wales?
In England, GCSEs are graded using a numerical system from 9 to 1, with 9 being the highest grade.
This was changed in 2017 and by 2020, all subjects were graded numerically, shifting away from the old A* to G system.
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- Results Day 2026 - free pizza, food and treats to celebrate or commiserate GCSEs
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A Grade 7 and above in England is roughly equivalent to an A and above.
A Grade 4 and above – which is considered a “standard pass” – is roughly equivalent to a C and above.
Meanwhile, in Wales, the traditional eight-category grade scale A*- G has been retained.
What was your favourite subject to study at school? Let us know in the comments.
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