Understanding GCSE Maths grade boundaries is essential for setting realistic targets and knowing exactly how many marks you need to achieve your desired grade. Whether you're aiming for a pass (grade 4), a "strong pass" (grade 5), or the top grades (8–9), this guide breaks down everything you need to know about grade boundaries for 2025.
We'll cover grade boundaries for all major exam boards – Edexcel, AQA, and OCR – and explain how these boundaries are set, what they mean for your revision, and how to use them strategically.
Important Note:
Grade boundaries for 2025 exams will be published after results day in August 2025. The figures in this article are based on 2024 boundaries and historical trends to give you a realistic expectation.
What Are GCSE Grade Boundaries?
Grade boundaries are the minimum marks needed to achieve each grade. They're set after exams are sat, based on:
- The difficulty of that year's papers
- How students performed nationally
- Statistical analysis to maintain standards year-on-year
This means grade boundaries can vary significantly between years. A "hard" paper will have lower boundaries; an "easier" paper will have higher boundaries. The goal is to ensure a grade 7 in 2025 represents the same standard as a grade 7 in 2024.
GCSE Maths Grade Boundaries by Exam Board (2024)
Edexcel GCSE Maths (1MA1) – June 2024
| Grade | Higher Tier (out of 240) | Foundation Tier (out of 240) | Percentage (Higher) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 192 | — | 80% |
| 8 | 165 | — | 69% |
| 7 | 137 | — | 57% |
| 6 | 110 | — | 46% |
| 5 (Strong Pass) | 83 | 169 | 35% |
| 4 (Standard Pass) | 56 | 115 | 23% |
| 3 | — | 73 | — |
| 2 | — | 37 | — |
| 1 | — | 14 | — |
AQA GCSE Maths (8300) – June 2024
| Grade | Higher Tier (out of 240) | Foundation Tier (out of 240) | Percentage (Higher) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 186 | — | 78% |
| 8 | 159 | — | 66% |
| 7 | 131 | — | 55% |
| 6 | 103 | — | 43% |
| 5 | 76 | 163 | 32% |
| 4 | 49 | 107 | 20% |
OCR GCSE Maths (J560) – June 2024
| Grade | Higher Tier (out of 300) | Foundation Tier (out of 300) | Percentage (Higher) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 241 | — | 80% |
| 8 | 207 | — | 69% |
| 7 | 172 | — | 57% |
| 6 | 138 | — | 46% |
| 5 | 103 | 211 | 34% |
| 4 | 69 | 143 | 23% |
How to Use Grade Boundaries Strategically
1. Set Realistic Targets
Knowing the approximate boundaries helps you set achievable goals. If you're currently scoring 50% on practice papers and want a grade 7, you know you need to improve by roughly 10–15 percentage points.
2. Understand You Don't Need Perfection
Even for a grade 9, you can typically drop 20–25% of the marks. This should reduce exam anxiety – focus on doing your best rather than achieving perfection.
3. Track Your Progress
When you complete practice papers with AI Examify, you get instant marks that you can compare against grade boundaries. This helps you see exactly where you stand and how much improvement you need.
4. Choose the Right Tier
If you're borderline between Higher and Foundation:
- Higher Tier: Access to grades 4–9. Harder questions but more opportunity for top grades.
- Foundation Tier: Access to grades 1–5 only. Easier questions but capped at grade 5.
If you're consistently scoring grade 5+ on practice papers, Higher Tier is usually the right choice.
Track your progress against grade boundaries with AI Examify
Start Your Free TrialWill 2025 Grade Boundaries Be Higher or Lower?
Grade boundaries depend on paper difficulty and national performance. Here's what we know:
- Post-pandemic adjustments are complete – 2025 boundaries will reflect "normal" pre-2020 standards.
- Paper difficulty varies – if papers are harder, boundaries will be lower (and vice versa).
- Historical trends suggest boundaries are relatively stable year-on-year (±5–10 marks).
The best approach is to aim for a comfortable margin above the expected boundary. If grade 7 typically requires 55%, aim for 65% in your practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a pass in GCSE Maths?
A grade 4 is considered a "standard pass" and grade 5 is a "strong pass". Most sixth forms and colleges require at least a grade 4 in GCSE Maths for entry. Some competitive courses require grade 5 or higher.
When are 2025 grade boundaries released?
Grade boundaries are published on GCSE results day in August 2025. They're only finalised after all papers have been marked and statistically analysed.
Why do grade boundaries change each year?
Boundaries adjust based on paper difficulty to ensure fairness. If a paper is unusually hard, boundaries are lowered so students aren't disadvantaged. This maintains consistent standards across years.
Can I use old grade boundaries to predict my grade?
Yes, but with caution. Old boundaries give a useful estimate, but actual boundaries may differ. Aim for a score comfortably above the typical boundary for your target grade.
What if I'm one mark below a grade boundary?
Unfortunately, grade boundaries are strict cut-offs. Being one mark below grade 7 means you receive grade 6. This is why it's important to aim higher than the minimum boundary in your revision.
Conclusion: Focus on Progress, Not Just Boundaries
While grade boundaries are useful for setting targets, the most important thing is consistent improvement in your understanding and exam technique. Use practice papers regularly, track your scores, and focus on the topics where you're losing marks.
AI Examify helps you do exactly this – with instant marking, you can see your scores immediately and understand where to focus your revision. Our progress dashboards show your improvement over time by topic, helping you target your weak areas efficiently.
Track Your Progress Towards Your Target Grade
Get instant AI marking and see how you compare to grade boundaries
Start Your Free Trial