AQA A-Level (UK) uses the A* to E grading scale. Grade boundaries are the minimum raw marks needed to achieve each grade. They are set after all scripts are marked, by senior examiners and assessment experts, and published at 8:00 am on results day. Boundaries are adjusted for difficulty so that candidates are not disadvantaged if the papers are harder than in a previous year.
AQA A-Level A*–E Grading Scale
Same scale for all English A-Levels
Grades A* to E
AQA A-Level qualifications are graded A*, A, B, C, D, E. A* is the highest; E is the minimum pass. Grade boundaries apply to the overall subject mark, not to individual components. AQA also publishes notional component grade boundaries for illustrative purposes only—use the subject-level boundaries for your final grade.
AQA A-Level Grade Boundaries: Cut-Offs Explained
Minimum raw marks per grade—published on results day for each series
| Grade | Meaning |
|---|---|
| A* | Highest achievement |
| A | High achievement |
| B | Good achievement |
| C | Solid pass |
| D | Pass |
| E | Minimum pass |
| U | Ungraded (below E) |
Example (illustrative): For a typical AQA A-Level (e.g. Biology, 300 max marks), grade boundaries might be in the region of A* = 243, A = 204, B = 165, C = 126, D = 96, E = 66—exact 2026 cut-offs are published at 8:00 am on results day and vary by subject and series.
When Are AQA A-Level Grade Boundaries Published?
Results day only
8:00 am on results day
AQA publishes A-Level grade boundaries at 8:00 am on results day for that series. For summer exams, that is typically in August. Boundaries are not released in advance. Past boundaries are in the AQA grade boundaries archive. Rely only on official boundaries once published.
How AQA Sets A-Level Grade Boundaries
Statistical evidence and expert judgement
Fair grading
After marking, senior examiners and assessment experts set grade boundaries using statistical evidence and expert judgement. Harder papers lead to lower boundaries; easier papers to higher boundaries, so that standards are consistent year on year. AQA’s standards over time explains how this works.
Official AQA Resources
A-Level grade boundaries and results
AQA Grade Boundaries (A-Level)
Official grade boundaries for current and past A-Level series.
AQA A-Level Grade BoundariesExcel in AQA A-Level with Tutopiya
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