IGCSE grade boundaries 2026 are set after each exam series and show the minimum marks needed for each grade (A*, A, B, C, etc.). They are among the most searched IGCSE topics because students want to know what score they need to reach their target grade. This guide explains how boundaries work, why they change, and how to use past boundaries and practice to aim for A* or your target grade in 2026.

How IGCSE Grade Boundaries Work

Grade boundaries are not fixed. Exam boards set them after marking each series, using:

• Difficulty of the paper – If a paper is harder than in previous years, the board may lower the mark needed for each grade so that candidates are not unfairly penalised. So a “hard” year might have a lower percentage for A* than an “easy” year.
• Performance of the cohort – Boundaries are often aligned to previous years’ standards so that grades are comparable over time. The board looks at how the whole cohort performed and sets cut-offs accordingly.
• Component weighting – Your final grade is usually a combination of several papers (e.g. Paper 1, Paper 2, and sometimes coursework or practical). Each component has a weighting. The syllabus grade boundary is the total mark (across all components) needed for each grade. So you might see boundaries for individual components and for the overall subject.

Because boundaries are set after the exams, “boundaries for 2026” will only be known after the May/June and October/November 2026 series. You cannot know the exact A* mark for 2026 in advance.

Where to Find Past Grade Boundaries

Cambridge and Edexcel publish grade thresholds (another name for grade boundaries) on their websites after each series. You can download PDFs or view them online, usually by subject and series (e.g. May/June 2024, October/November 2024). Your school may also give you a summary. Use these past boundaries as a guide to the typical range of marks for A*, A, B, and so on in your subject.

What You Can Do Before 2026

Use past boundaries as a rough guide

Look at the 2024 and 2025 grade boundaries for your subjects. They often sit in a similar range from year to year (e.g. A* might be around 80–88% in one subject). This gives you a target range to aim for, not an exact number.

Aim for a buffer above the threshold

Boundaries can shift by a few marks from year to year. If last year’s A* was 85%, aim to be scoring around 88–90% in your practice so that even if the boundary goes up slightly, you are still safely in the A* band. A buffer of a few percent reduces the risk of falling just short.

Practice with past papers and mark strictly

Do past papers under timed conditions and mark yourself with the official mark scheme. Add up your total and express it as a percentage of the maximum. That tells you whether you are currently in the A*, A, or B range (using past boundaries as a guide). If you are just below the previous A* boundary, focus on the topics or question types where you lose the most marks.

Understand component boundaries

Some subjects have several components (e.g. multiple papers). The syllabus boundary is what matters for your final grade, but it is built from component marks. If one paper is out of 80 and another out of 120, the total is out of 200 and the grade boundaries will be given as marks out of 200. Make sure you know how your subject is weighted so you can prioritise revision and exam technique where it has the biggest impact.

Why Grade Boundaries Change

• Difficulty – A harder paper often leads to lower raw mark boundaries.
• Cohort size and ability – The board aims for consistency; they do not fix the percentage in advance.
• Syllabus or format changes – When a new syllabus is introduced or the exam format changes, the first few series may have boundaries that settle over time.

So you should treat boundaries as informative for planning and target-setting, but not as a guarantee. The best strategy is always to maximise your marks through thorough revision and exam technique.

How to Use Boundaries When Revising

• Set a target – e.g. “I want to be scoring at least 85% in past papers so I am in the A* zone.”
• Track your progress – After each past paper, work out your percentage and see if you are above or below your target.
• Focus on weak areas – If you are at 82% and need 85%, identify which questions or topics cost you those 3% and practise them.
• Don’t obsess over one mark – Boundaries are usually not single marks; they are ranges. A small improvement across several questions often pushes you into the next grade.

Re-marks and Grade Boundaries

If you are very close to a grade boundary (e.g. one or two marks below A*), you may be able to request a re-mark (check your centre’s and the board’s deadlines and fees). Re-marks can sometimes result in a mark change that pushes you over the boundary. This is not guaranteed, so the best approach is still to aim for a buffer above the boundary through your preparation.

Tutopiya Resources and Free Trial

At Tutopiya you can practice with auto-marked questions and past-paper style tasks so you know where you stand before results day. Our tutors help you target weak areas and build the marks that push you into the next grade. They can also help you interpret past boundaries and set realistic targets for your subjects.

Book a free trial with an IGCSE tutor to work towards your target grade, or explore Tutopiya’s free resources to start preparing today.