Edexcel GCSE (UK)—awarded by Pearson—uses the 9–1 grading scale. Grade boundaries are the minimum raw marks needed to achieve each grade (9 down to 1). They are set after each exam series has been marked and are published on results day. Boundaries vary by subject and series, so exact 2026 boundaries are only known once that series has been marked and released.
Edexcel GCSE 9–1 Grading Scale
Same scale for all English GCSEs
Grades 9 to 1
Edexcel GCSE (Pearson) qualifications are graded 9 to 1, where 9 is the highest. Grade 4 is a “standard pass” and Grade 5 a “strong pass.” Grade boundary documents are produced for each exam series (e.g. June, November) and made available on results day. They cover all subjects, including English, Mathematics, Sciences, Languages, Humanities, and more.
Edexcel GCSE Grade Boundaries: Cut-Offs Explained
Minimum raw marks per grade—published on results day for each series
| Grade | Minimum raw mark (typical meaning) |
|---|---|
| 9 | Highest achievement |
| 8 | Very strong pass |
| 7 | Strong pass (broadly A equivalent) |
| 6 | Good pass (broadly B equivalent) |
| 5 | Strong pass (broadly C+ equivalent) |
| 4 | Standard pass (broadly C equivalent) |
| 3 | Below standard pass |
| 2 | Limited achievement |
| 1 | Minimal achievement |
Example (illustrative): For Edexcel GCSE English Language (June 2025 series, max mark 160), the published grade boundaries were: Grade 9 = 131, Grade 8 = 121, Grade 7 = 111, Grade 6 = 100, Grade 5 = 95, Grade 4 = 86. Exact 2026 cut-offs are published on results day and vary by subject and series.
When Are Edexcel GCSE Grade Boundaries Published?
Results day for each series
Published on results day
Edexcel (Pearson) publishes grade boundaries for each exam series when results are released. For the June series, that is typically in August. Boundaries are not fixed in advance—they are set after marking so that difficulty can be taken into account. For November and subsequent 2026 series, boundaries will be published on the relevant results day. Full documents are available on Pearson’s Edexcel GCSE grade boundaries page.
How Edexcel Sets Grade Boundaries
Consistent standards across series
Fair grading
Grade boundaries are set after all scripts are marked, using the same principles as other UK boards: statistical evidence and senior examiner judgement. This ensures that candidates are not disadvantaged if their paper was harder than in a previous year. Pearson provides Edexcel GCSE results explained for students and parents.
Official Pearson / Edexcel Resources
Grade boundaries and results
Edexcel GCSE Grade Boundaries
Official grade boundaries for each exam series. Access via Pearson qualifications support.
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