One of the most common questions IGCSE students ask is: “What grade will I get with my percentage?” Whether you’ve just finished a mock exam, received a practice paper score, or are trying to set realistic targets, understanding how IGCSE percentages translate to grades is crucial.

This guide provides comprehensive IGCSE grade conversion charts, explains why conversions aren’t always straightforward, and helps you interpret your results accurately.

The Short Answer: What Grade Is 70% in IGCSE?

If you scored 70% on an IGCSE exam, you would typically receive a grade A or B in most subjects. However, the exact grade depends on:

• Which subject you took
• Which exam board (Cambridge or Edexcel)
• Which exam session (boundaries change each session)
• Which tier you sat (Core or Extended)

For a rough estimate across most Cambridge IGCSE subjects, 70% generally falls in the A to B range. In some subjects with lower boundaries, it could be a comfortable A, while in subjects with higher boundaries, it might be a solid B.

Cambridge IGCSE: General Percentage to Grade Conversion

The following chart provides an approximate conversion based on historical grade boundaries across multiple subjects and sessions. These are estimates only — actual boundaries vary.

Overall Conversion Chart (Cambridge)

Percentage Range	Approximate Grade
90–100%	A*
80–89%	A
70–79%	B
60–69%	C
50–59%	D
40–49%	E
30–39%	F
20–29%	G
Below 20%	U

Important caveat: These ranges are general approximations. The actual boundary for each grade varies significantly by subject and session. For example, a grade A in IGCSE Mathematics might require 75%, while a grade A in IGCSE English might require 80%.

Subject-Specific Conversion Charts

Because grade boundaries vary by subject, here are more detailed conversion charts for popular IGCSE subjects.

Mathematics (Cambridge 0580 — Extended)

Percentage	Approximate Grade
88%+	A*
75–87%	A
65–74%	B
55–64%	C
45–54%	D
35–44%	E

Mathematics boundaries tend to be moderate because the Extended paper includes challenging questions that naturally spread out student scores.

English Language (Cambridge 0500)

Percentage	Approximate Grade
90%+	A*
80–89%	A
70–79%	B
60–69%	C
50–59%	D
40–49%	E

English Language boundaries tend to be higher than Sciences because the marking is holistic and quality of expression matters.

Physics (Cambridge 0625 — Extended)

Percentage	Approximate Grade
85%+	A*
73–84%	A
63–72%	B
52–62%	C
42–51%	D
32–41%	E

Chemistry (Cambridge 0620 — Extended)

Percentage	Approximate Grade
86%+	A*
74–85%	A
64–73%	B
53–63%	C
43–52%	D
33–42%	E

Biology (Cambridge 0610 — Extended)

Percentage	Approximate Grade
87%+	A*
75–86%	A
65–74%	B
54–64%	C
44–53%	D
34–43%	E

Economics (Cambridge 0455)

Percentage	Approximate Grade
87%+	A*
76–86%	A
66–75%	B
56–65%	C
46–55%	D
36–45%	E

History (Cambridge 0470)

Percentage	Approximate Grade
85%+	A*
73–84%	A
62–72%	B
51–61%	C
40–50%	D
30–39%	E

Geography (Cambridge 0460)

Percentage	Approximate Grade
86%+	A*
75–85%	A
64–74%	B
53–63%	C
42–52%	D
32–41%	E

Edexcel IGCSE: Percentage to Grade Conversion

Edexcel uses a 9–1 grading scale. Here’s the approximate conversion:

Percentage Range	Approximate Grade
90–100%	9
82–89%	8
74–81%	7
66–73%	6
58–65%	5
50–57%	4
42–49%	3
34–41%	2
25–33%	1
Below 25%	U

Cambridge to Edexcel Grade Equivalences

If you need to compare grades between the two boards:

Cambridge	Edexcel	Percentage (approx.)
A*	8–9	85%+
A	7	75–84%
B	5–6	65–74%
C	4	55–64%
D	3	45–54%
E	2	35–44%

Why IGCSE Grade Boundaries Aren’t Fixed Percentages

Many students assume that 70% always equals the same grade. This isn’t the case, and understanding why helps you interpret your scores more accurately.

Variable Paper Difficulty

If an exam paper is harder than usual, fewer students will score high marks. Cambridge and Pearson adjust boundaries downward so students aren’t penalised. Conversely, easier papers have higher boundaries.

Different Assessment Objectives

Each subject tests different skills with different mark allocations:

• Knowledge recall (easier to score) vs analysis and evaluation (harder to score)
• Calculation-based questions (clear right/wrong) vs essay-based questions (subjective marking)
• Practical skills vs theoretical understanding

Component Weightings

Most subjects have multiple papers with different weightings. Your overall percentage depends on how you perform across all components. A student scoring 80% on one paper and 60% on another will have a different overall percentage depending on each paper’s weighting.

Mark Scheme Specificity

Some subjects have very precise mark schemes (Mathematics, Sciences) where you either get the mark or you don’t. Others (English, History) have level-based mark schemes where the examiner makes a judgement call. This affects how percentages translate to grades.

How to Use These Conversion Charts Effectively

For Setting Revision Targets

Use the subject-specific charts to set concrete targets. If you’re aiming for a grade B in Chemistry, you know you need approximately 64–73%. This translates to a specific number of marks on each paper.

For Interpreting Mock Results

When you receive mock exam results, compare your percentage to the appropriate conversion chart. Remember that school mock exams may not perfectly mirror the difficulty of actual IGCSE papers, so use the conversion as a guide rather than a guarantee.

For Tracking Progress

Plot your past paper scores on a chart alongside the grade boundaries. This shows you:

• Whether you’re consistently above, at, or below your target grade
• Which subjects need more attention
• How you’re progressing over time

For Managing Expectations

Use the conversion charts to set realistic expectations. If you’re currently scoring 55% in practice papers, aiming for an A* by exam time is ambitious (but not impossible with dedicated effort). A more realistic near-term target might be to push into the B range (70%+) first.

Common Percentage Questions Answered

What percentage do I need for an A* in IGCSE?

For most Cambridge IGCSE subjects, you typically need 85–92% for an A*. The exact percentage varies by subject — Mathematics tends to have slightly lower A* boundaries than English.

Is 60% a pass in IGCSE?

Yes, 60% typically translates to a grade C in most IGCSE subjects, which is considered a pass. In some subjects with lower boundaries, 60% could even be a B.

What is the minimum pass percentage?

There’s no fixed “minimum pass percentage” because boundaries vary. However, a grade G (the lowest classified grade) typically requires around 20–25% of the total marks.

Can I get an A with 75%?

In many IGCSE subjects, 75% is enough for a grade A, particularly in Mathematics and Sciences. In subjects like English Language, which tends to have higher boundaries, 75% might translate to a B.

What percentage is a grade 9 in Edexcel IGCSE?

A grade 9 in Edexcel IGCSE typically requires around 88–92% or higher, depending on the subject and session.

Tips for Improving Your IGCSE Percentage

Eliminate Careless Mistakes

Many students lose 5–10% of their marks to careless errors. Common culprits include:

• Misreading the question
• Calculation errors
• Not showing working
• Answering the wrong number of questions
• Poor time management (running out of time)

Review your practice papers specifically to identify and eliminate these errors.

Target Weak Topics

Identify topics where you consistently score below your average. These represent the biggest opportunity for improvement — bringing a weak topic from 40% to 70% has a bigger impact than pushing a strong topic from 80% to 85%.

Master Command Words

Understanding what the examiner wants is half the battle:

• State/Identify — A brief, factual answer (1 mark typically)
• Describe — Say what happens, step by step
• Explain — Say what happens AND why
• Compare — Identify similarities AND differences
• Evaluate/Discuss — Weigh up arguments on both sides and reach a conclusion

Practice Under Exam Conditions

Doing past papers in a relaxed environment with unlimited time doesn’t prepare you for the real thing. Practice under timed conditions to build exam stamina and learn to allocate your time effectively.

Get Expert Help to Reach Your Target Grade

Understanding grade conversions gives you a clear target — but reaching that target requires effective preparation. If you’re finding certain subjects challenging or want to push your grades higher, personalised tutoring can make a significant difference.

Tutopiya’s experienced IGCSE tutors work with students individually to identify weak areas, build confidence, and develop exam techniques that translate directly to better grades.

Ready to improve your IGCSE scores? Book a free trial lesson with Tutopiya and get a personalised plan to reach your target grade.