If you are searching for clear information on Edexcel IGCSE Physics grade boundaries, this guide covers the paper structure for syllabus 4PH1, the grade thresholds Pearson Edexcel has published in recent years, the patterns they follow, and the most-asked question for any IGCSE Physics candidate: what raw mark do I need for an A* in Edexcel International GCSE Physics?

Pearson Edexcel publishes official grade boundaries for every subject after each series. The published documents are authoritative — but they are dense and rarely give a student the answer they need quickly. Below we summarise how Edexcel IGCSE Physics 4PH1 is graded, what the boundaries usually look like, and how to use them while you revise.

Free tool: Use Tutopiya’s Edexcel IGCSE Physics grade boundary tracker (4PH1) to enter your raw mark and instantly see the most likely grade band based on published Edexcel thresholds.

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How Edexcel IGCSE Physics grade boundaries work

A grade boundary is the minimum total raw mark required for a particular grade. For Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Physics (syllabus code 4PH1), grades range from A* down to G, with anything below G ungraded.

Three points to remember:

1. Boundaries are set after marking. Edexcel looks at the difficulty of the actual papers sat and the cohort’s performance, then sets thresholds so that comparable candidates receive comparable grades.
2. Thresholds change every series. A May/June boundary is not the same as a January boundary. They cluster within a band, but the exact mark moves up or down each session.
3. Boundaries are total marks, not percentages. Edexcel publishes them as raw marks out of the total available across both papers.

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Edexcel IGCSE Physics paper structure (4PH1)

Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Physics (4PH1) is assessed across two written papers:

Paper	Title	Marks	Duration
1P	Physics Paper 1	110	2 h
2P	Physics Paper 2	70	1 h 15 min

A candidate sitting 4PH1 takes both papers for a combined total of 180 marks. There is no Internal Assessment for Edexcel IGCSE Physics; the qualification is fully assessed by external written examination.

Edexcel publishes a single set of A*–G thresholds per series, applied to the combined raw mark.

For full details, refer to the Edexcel International GCSE Physics specification and your school’s exam officer.

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What raw mark do I need for an A* in Edexcel IGCSE Physics?

Across recent series, the A* threshold for Edexcel IGCSE Physics 4PH1 has typically required somewhere in the 78–88% range of total marks — slightly lower than Edexcel IGCSE Biology or Chemistry on average, reflecting the higher mathematical density of Physics papers.

Representative bands from published Edexcel thresholds:

• A* has commonly required around 80–86% of total marks (around 144–155 out of 180).
• A has commonly required around 68–74%.
• B has commonly required around 56–62%.
• C has commonly required around 44–50%.
• D has commonly required around 32–38%.
• G (the pass mark) has commonly sat around 18–24%.

Two caveats apply:

1. These are typical bands, not predictions. A particular series might sit a few marks above or below.
2. Edexcel publishes thresholds as raw marks, not percentages. Always work from the published raw-mark threshold for the specific series.

The Tutopiya grade boundary tracker for Edexcel IGCSE Physics stores published threshold data and converts your raw mark into a likely grade band.

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Why Edexcel IGCSE Physics boundaries are typically lower than Biology or Chemistry

Two structural reasons:

• Mathematical density. Physics papers contain longer multi-step calculations than Biology or Chemistry, with compounded errors costing more marks. Edexcel sets boundaries lower to maintain comparable grade-band cohort sizes.
• Demanding extended-response questions. Paper 2P includes extended physics questions on electromagnetic induction, radioactive decay calculations and waves that historically attract lower mean marks.

This is why Edexcel does not publish boundaries before the series.

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How to use Edexcel IGCSE Physics boundaries while you revise

Grade boundaries are most useful before results day. Three practical applications:

1. Convert past-paper marks into a target grade

When you sit a past Paper 1P under timed conditions and score 76/110, that number alone tells you little. Cross-reference with the published threshold for that series and you immediately know whether you are tracking at A, B or C standard. The Edexcel IGCSE Physics tracker does this conversion automatically.

2. Identify the gap to your next grade

If you are scoring 65% combined and the historical A* boundary is 82%, you know you need to pick up around seventeen percentage points to be on the A* border. Combine the gap with a confidence-rated revision checklist to choose where those marks come from — typically waves, electricity, forces or energy calculations.

3. Sanity-check your predicted grade

Schools issue predicted grades for sixth-form, A Level and IB applications based on mock performance. If your predicted grade looks higher or lower than the boundary maths suggests, raise it with your teacher early.

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Edexcel IGCSE Physics grade boundaries by paper component

Edexcel publishes component-level thresholds alongside overall thresholds. Component thresholds are useful when you want to know what an “A standard” performance on Paper 1P specifically looked like in previous series. For most students, the overall combined threshold is the number that decides the final grade.

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Edexcel IGCSE Physics grade thresholds: where to find the official numbers

Pearson Edexcel publishes a grade boundaries document for each series shortly after results day. Three reliable routes:

1. Pearson Qualifications website → Support → Marking and grade boundaries → International GCSE.
2. Your school’s exam officer receives the document as part of the results pack.
3. Tutopiya’s grade boundary tracker stores recent published thresholds for reference.

A note on data freshness: the 2026 thresholds for the May/June 2026 series have not been set at the time of writing — they are released on results day in August 2026.

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Common mistakes students make with Edexcel IGCSE Physics grade boundaries

• Comparing to Biology or Chemistry without adjustment. Physics has typically lower percentage thresholds. A 78% on Physics may be a clear A*, where the same percentage on Biology might only be A.
• Using last year’s threshold without margin. Aim for a buffer of 8–10 marks above the historical threshold.
• Mixing 4PH1 (Edexcel International GCSE) with 1PH0 (Edexcel UK GCSE). They are different qualifications with different paper structures and grade scales.
• Comparing 4PH1 thresholds to Cambridge IGCSE Physics (0625). Edexcel and Cambridge International grade independently.

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Edexcel IGCSE Physics revision: from threshold to grade

Published thresholds tell you the destination. The route is the same set of evidence-based revision habits:

• Past-paper Paper 1P timing practice. Sit a full Paper 1P in 2 hours, marked against the official mark scheme, at least once a fortnight in the final eight weeks. Use the past paper exam timer to enforce timing.
• Topic-by-topic confidence rating. Use the Edexcel IGCSE Physics revision checklist to mark your confidence in each syllabus topic.
• Mathematical fluency. Physics rewards arithmetic accuracy. Practise full calculations rather than checking method only — examiners deduct marks for arithmetic errors even when method is correct.
• Formula list awareness. Edexcel supplies a formula sheet for 4PH1 — know which equations are given and which you must memorise. Spending revision time memorising a formula already supplied is wasted time.
• Definition and command-word precision. Examiners reward exact wording. Revise the Edexcel command words — state, describe, explain, calculate, show.

For broader Edexcel IGCSE Physics preparation, see our Edexcel IGCSE Physics common mistakes guide.

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Frequently asked questions

What are Edexcel IGCSE Physics grade boundaries?

Grade boundaries are the minimum total raw marks required for each grade (A* to G) in Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Physics 4PH1. Edexcel publishes a table after each series with the overall threshold and component-level thresholds.

What raw mark do I need for an A* in Edexcel IGCSE Physics 4PH1?

The A* threshold has typically required around 80–86% of total marks across recent series, but the exact figure changes every session. Physics boundaries are typically a few percentage points lower than Biology or Chemistry. Use the Tutopiya grade boundary tracker to check the latest published threshold.

Are 2026 Edexcel IGCSE Physics grade boundaries published yet?

No — Edexcel publishes grade thresholds on results day. For the May/June 2026 series, thresholds will be released in August 2026.

Where can I find the official Edexcel grade boundaries document?

On the Pearson Qualifications website, under Support → Marking and grade boundaries → International GCSE. Your school’s exam officer also holds the document.

Are Edexcel IGCSE Physics and UK GCSE Physics the same qualification?

No. Edexcel International GCSE Physics (4PH1, A*–G) and Edexcel UK GCSE Physics (1PH0, 9–1) are separate qualifications with different paper structures and grade scales.

Why do Edexcel IGCSE Physics boundaries change every series?

Boundaries are adjusted for paper difficulty and cohort performance so that comparable candidates receive comparable grades across series.

Are Edexcel IGCSE boundaries the same as Cambridge IGCSE Physics boundaries?

No. Edexcel (4PH1) and Cambridge International (0625) IGCSE Physics have separate thresholds, separate paper structures and separate mark totals.

Why are Physics boundaries lower than Biology or Chemistry?

Physics papers have higher mathematical density and compounded calculation errors cost more marks per question. Edexcel sets boundaries lower to maintain comparable grade-band cohort sizes.

Does Paper 1P or Paper 2P matter more for the A*?

Paper 1P carries 110 marks (61% weight) and Paper 2P carries 70 marks (39% weight). The A* is decided largely by Paper 1P performance, but a strong Paper 2P can lift a borderline A candidate into A*.

What happens if I miss the A* boundary by one mark?

Edexcel does not round up. A candidate one mark below the A* threshold is awarded A. Reviews of marking can be requested through your school exam officer if you believe a paper has been mis-marked.

How accurate is the Tutopiya grade boundary tracker?

The tracker uses published Pearson Edexcel grade thresholds for past series and is for reference only. The 2026 thresholds will be set after the May/June 2026 series.

Does the formula sheet affect grade boundaries?

The supplied formula sheet does not directly affect boundaries. However, candidates who use the formula sheet efficiently typically gain a few marks per paper on calculation-heavy questions, which over a 180-mark total moves them up a grade band.

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Last reviewed: 29 April 2026. Pearson Edexcel grade thresholds are released on results day for each series. Always verify current boundaries on the official Pearson Qualifications website or with your school exam officer.

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