AQA 2024 Grade Boundaries – Official GCSE and A-Level Tables
Grade boundaries for AQA exams in 2024 were published on results day in August, providing students with the minimum raw marks needed for each grade. The boundaries, set after marking by senior examiners, reflect the difficulty of that year’s papers and ensure consistent standards across subjects.
For GCSEs, A-levels, and AS qualifications, AQA releases official PDFs containing subject-by-subject thresholds. These documents are the definitive source for checking how marks translate into grades. The 2024 boundaries show slight shifts from 2023, part of a broader post-pandemic normalisation in grading.
Students comparing results or planning ahead often need to understand how boundaries are set and where to find them. This article covers the key 2024 figures for GCSE and A-level, explains how to read the official PDFs, and offers context on historical and future trends.
What are the AQA GCSE 2024 grade boundaries?
GCSE 2024 Summary
Official PDFs with raw marks for all subjects. Example boundaries for maths, English, and science show the grade thresholds.
A-Level 2024 Summary
Raw mark boundaries for A-level subjects, including biology, chemistry, and further maths. Available as separate PDFs.
How to Use Grade Boundaries
Raw marks are the actual marks scored. Uniform marks (UMS) are no longer used in linear GCSE/A-levels. Always verify on the official AQA site.
Historical Comparison
2024 boundaries similar to 2023, with some subjects showing slight increases. For example, GCSE Biology Higher grade 9 rose from 133 to 141 out of 200.
Key insights about AQA 2024 grade boundaries
- Grade boundaries vary by subject and exam series – popular subjects like maths often have higher thresholds.
- 2024 boundaries show slight adjustments from 2023, reflecting post-pandemic normalisation of grading standards.
- Official PDFs on the AQA website are the most reliable source; third-party summaries should be cross-checked.
- Resources like SaveMyExams provide useful overviews and revision tips alongside the boundary tables.
- Students should always verify boundaries directly on the official AQA site for accuracy.
GCSE grade boundaries by subject – selected examples
The table below lists raw mark thresholds for several popular GCSE subjects, sourced from AQA-referenced PDFs published by schools.
| Subject (Code) | Tier | Max Mark | Grade 9 | Grade 8 | Grade 7 | Grade 6 | Grade 5 | Grade 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology (8461) | Higher | 200 | 141 | 126 | 112 | 90 | 69 | 48 |
| Biology (8461) | Foundation | 200 | – | – | – | – | 113 | 82 |
| Mathematics (8300) | Higher | 240 | 197 | 167 | 137 | 105 | 73 | 42 |
| English Language (8700) | – | 160 | 121 | 111 | 102 | 92 | 75 | 63 |
| Art & Design Fine Art (8202) | – | 480 | 403 | 371 | 340 | 303 | 266 | 230 |
| Computer Science (8525B Python) | – | 180 | 152 | 140 | 128 | 108 | 88 | 68 |
| Design & Technology (8552) | – | 200 | 174 | 159 | 145 | 128 | 111 | 94 |
What are the AQA A-Level 2024 grade boundaries?
For A-levels, AQA publishes raw mark thresholds for each subject, with grades ranging from A* to E. The maximum mark varies – for example, biology advanced is 260, while chemistry is 300. Boundaries are set after the papers are marked, adjusting for difficulty while maintaining year-on-year standards.
Official AQA PDFs for A-level also include notional component boundaries, which show the minimum raw marks for each component paper. These are scaled if components carry different weightings. The overall grade boundary remains the key figure for results.
A-level grade boundaries by subject – selected examples
Data from official AQA archives and SaveMyExams AQA A-Level table shows typical thresholds for June 2024.
| Subject | Max Mark | A* | A | B | C | D | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology Advanced | 260 | 192 | 165 | 140 | 115 | 91 | 67 |
| Chemistry Advanced | 300 | 239 | 198 | 162 | 126 | 90 | 55 |
| Further Maths (DS Option) | 300 | 239 | 198 | 164 | 130 | 96 | 62 |
| Geography Advanced | 300 | 239 | 211 | 179 | 148 | 117 | 86 |
| History (AA Option) | 200 | 160 | 136 | 113 | 90 | 67 | 45 |
How do the 2024 boundaries compare to 2023 and future years?
Comparing 2024 with previous years helps students gauge how thresholds might shift. For GCSE Biology Higher, the grade 9 boundary rose from 133 in 2023 to 141 in 2024, according to AQA archive data. That six-mark increase suggests a slightly harder paper or a deliberate adjustment to restore pre-pandemic grading standards.
No grade boundaries for 2025 or 2026 have been set. They will depend on exam difficulty and cohort performance in each series. Predictions based on current trends should be treated as speculative until AQA publishes official data.
What were the AQA grade boundaries for 2023?
The AQA archive includes PDFs for June 2023. GCSE Biology Higher (8461) had a grade 9 threshold of 133 out of 200 – eight marks lower than in 2024. A-level maths boundaries in 2023 also hovered around 80% for an A* grade, similar to 2024 patterns.
AQA grade boundaries for 2025 and 2026 – what students should know
Boundaries for future exam series are not predetermined. They are set after marking, based on the difficulty of that year’s papers and the performance of the cohort. Students are advised to focus on consistent revision and to use official grade boundaries from past years as rough targets, not guarantees.
Where can I download the AQA 2024 grade boundaries PDF?
Official AQA grade boundaries for 2024 are available as downloadable PDFs from the AQA website. The main grade boundaries page explains the process and links to the archive. For June 2024, separate PDFs exist for GCSE and A-level, plus a summary for English and maths.
How to access the official AQA grade boundaries PDF
- Go to the AQA grade boundaries archive page: https://www.aqa.org.uk/…/archive
- Select the June 2024 exam series.
- Download the raw mark PDF for either GCSE or A-level.
- Open the PDF – it lists subject codes, max marks, and thresholds for each grade.
How to interpret raw marks and uniform marks
In current linear GCSEs and A-levels (post-2017 reforms), grade boundaries are based on raw marks only. Uniform marks (UMS) are no longer used. The raw mark is the total number of points a student achieved across all components. The PDF shows the minimum raw mark required for each grade, for example A* = 192 out of 260 in Biology Advanced.
When are AQA grade boundaries released?
Grade boundaries are published on the same day as results. For 2024, A-level boundaries appeared in August (A-level results day) and GCSE boundaries a week later. For the November 2024 resit series, boundaries will be released in January 2025. The BBC News education section often provides live coverage and links on results days.
- – A-level results day; AQA publishes A-level grade boundaries.
- – GCSE results day; AQA publishes GCSE grade boundaries.
- – November 2024 resit series boundaries published.
- – Next year’s boundaries published on results day.
How certain are AQA grade boundaries? What remains unclear?
Once published on results day, grade boundaries are final. The official PDFs are authoritative. However, boundaries vary between exam series – June versus November papers can produce different thresholds. For future years (2025, 2026), no boundaries exist yet; they depend on exam difficulty and cohort performance. Third-party aggregates may contain errors, so always cross-check with the AQA official source.
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| Grade boundaries are final once published on results day. | Boundaries vary between exam series (June vs November) and can be adjusted by the exam board. |
| Official PDFs are the authoritative source. | Boundaries for future years (2025, 2026) are not yet known; they depend on exam difficulty and cohort performance. |
| Raw marks are used for linear qualifications. | Third-party aggregates may contain errors – always verify against the AQA PDF. |
How are AQA grade boundaries set?
Senior examiners review mark distributions after all papers are scored. They set grade boundaries to align with statistical expectations and to maintain consistency with previous years – a process called standardisation. In the post-pandemic period, grading has returned to pre-2019 standards, meaning boundaries are no longer lowered to compensate for disruption. Subject difficulty also influences thresholds: a harder paper may lead to lower boundary marks.
Ofqual publications, such as How exam grade boundaries are set, explain the methodology in detail. AQA states on its website that boundaries are “set by senior examiners based on mark distributions”.
Where do official AQA grade boundaries come from?
The primary source is the AQA grade boundaries page. The archive of raw mark PDFs includes all June 2024 qualifications. Additional school-hosted PDFs, such as those from Farlingaye and Balshaws, compile AQA data alongside other exam boards. These are useful for quick reference but should be checked against the official PDFs.
AQA has released public statements on its methodology, emphasising fairness and consistency. Ofqual also provides guidance on how boundaries are set nationally.
What should students know about AQA 2024 grade boundaries?
If your marks are close to a boundary line, you can request a review of marking or an appeal through your school. Use grade boundaries from past years to set realistic target grades for future exams. For teachers, boundaries help refine predictions and teaching focus. Looking ahead, AQA 2025 grade boundaries will be published after results day – no earlier. Focus on thorough preparation and use the How to Write a Personal Statement – Structure, Tips and Examples guide to strengthen university applications.
Frequently asked questions about AQA grade boundaries
What is the difference between raw marks and uniform marks?
Raw marks are the actual marks scored on a paper. Uniform marks (UMS) were used in modular qualifications to standardise scores across components. For current linear GCSEs and A-levels (post-2017), only raw marks are used.
Are grade boundaries the same for every exam series?
No. Boundaries can change between June and November series because the exam papers and cohort performance differ. AQA sets boundaries specific to each series.
Can grade boundaries change after results day?
No. Once published on results day, grade boundaries are final. However, a review of marking can adjust an individual student’s grade if an error is found.
Where can I find grade boundaries for resit exams (November 2024)?
The November 2024 series boundaries will be published on the AQA grade boundaries page in January 2025, after marking is complete.
How are grade boundaries decided?
Senior examiners review mark distributions and set boundaries using statistical alignment with previous years, examiner judgments, and standards like those set by Ofqual.
What grade is 70% in AQA?
There is no fixed percentage for any grade because boundaries vary by subject and series. For example, in AQA A-level Chemistry 2024, 70% (210/300) would fall between a B and an A, but check the specific subject PDF.
Can teachers use grade boundaries to predict results?
Yes, but only as a guide. Official boundaries from previous series provide context, but predictions should account for changes in exam difficulty and cohort ability.
What should I do if my mark is just below a boundary?
Speak to your school. They can request a review of marking (clerical check or re-mark) if you are within a few marks of the next grade. There is a deadline and cost involved.
Are grade boundaries available for November 2024 now?
Not yet. They will be released in January 2025 on the AQA website. For now, only June 2024 boundaries are published.
For additional guidance on university applications and personal statements, see How to Write a Personal Statement – Structure and Tips.
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