Students who are preparing for the IGCSE exam or parents who are looking forward to enrolling their kids in the IGCSE board raises a lot of questions.
Questions like how marks are converted into grades or IGCSE grade boundaries are set for students?
Understanding IGCSE grade boundaries help learners to gain desired goals, motivate them to put extra efforts, and self awareness.
In this guide, you will understand a detailed scenario of IGCSE grade boundaries especially designed for students.
Go through to know what IGCSE grade boundaries are, where to find the official details, up-to-date tables for Cambridge and Edexcel IGCSEs.
Contents
What Are IGCSE Grade Boundaries?
IGCSE grade boundaries are also popular as grade thresholds, are the minimum raw marks a student needs to achieve a specific grade in an exam .
Grades includes A*, A, B, C, etc. or 9 to 1 for reformed specifications. However, the boundaries vary from subject to paper, and session. Also explore the IGCSE grading system .
IGCSE grade boundaries are generally set based on the difficulty of specific paper or candidate’s overall performance.
Explore about igcse curriculum .
Current IGCSE Grade Boundaries [2024-2025]
Here’s a few representative examples of the most recent grade boundaries:
| S no. | Board / Subject | Exam Series | Maximum Marks | Thresholds for Grades 9 to 3 |
| 1. | Edexcel IGCSE (Maths A, Higher Tier, 2025 June) | 2025 June | 200 | 9 = 172, 8 = 144, 7 = 117, 6 = 92, 5 = 68, 4 = 44, 3 = 32. |
| 2. | Edexcel IGCSE (Maths A, Higher Tier, 2024 Nov) | 2024 November | 200 | 9 = 163, 8 = 136, 7 = 110, 6 = 88, 5 = 67, 4 = 46, 3 = 35. |
| 3. | Cambridge IGCSE First Language English (Syllabus 0500), June 2024 | June 2024 | varies by components | Component 03 (max 80): A = 59, B = 51, C = 44, etc.Option (combination of components): A = 121, B = 106, C = 91, D = 77, E = 65, F = 53, G = 41 etc. |
1. Cambridge IGCSE Grade Boundaries
- Link to Official Cambridge Assessment Resources
Cambridge shares Grade Boundaries or Grade Threshold Tables for all exam sessions in the months of June, November, and March.
Facilitators and schools can also access these Grade Threshold Tables.
- Most Recent Session Boundaries
Based on latest data the the most recent IGCSE series include:
- The series: June 2024 and March 2025.
- The grade thresholds / grade boundary tables rather than fixed percentages.
- Cambridge states that the thresholds at grades 7, 4, and 1 (in the 9 to 1 grading scheme) are aligned with what were historically A, C, G in the old A* to G scale.
- Popular Subjects with grade boundaries: Quick Table
| S No. | Subject | Session Example | Sample overall thresholds (minimum weighted raw marks for grade) |
| 1. | Mathematics (0580/0606) | June 2024 / Nov 2024 | Overall option examples show C often around 70 to 90 (weighted) and A around 140 to 175 depending on option, see Cambridge maths PDF for exact components and options. |
| 2. | English (0500/0990) | June 2024 | Component and whole-course thresholds shown per component; 0990 (9 to 1) lists minimum raw marks for 9 to 1 per component. Check the 0990 PDF for the exact breakpoints. |
| 3. | Science subjects (0610, 0620, 0625) | June 2024 | Component and weighted totals show A/B/C cutoffs per paper and overall, example component C often 28 to 34 out of component marks. See Biology PDF for confirmation. |
| 4. | Business Studies (0450) / Economics (0455) | June 2024 / 2025 | Cambridge tables are available per syllabus. (See Cambridge index.) |
2. Edexcel IGCSE Grade Boundaries
- Link to Official Pearson Edexcel Resources
With the “Results & Certification / Grade Boundaries” section Edexcel IGCSE Grade Boundaries is published by Pearson.
- Current Session Information
Edexcel boundary tables distinguish Higher / Foundation / “R” (resit / revised) tiers, based on the subject.
For 2025 IGCSE sample boundaries include:
Accounting (max 150 marks) in June 2025 where grade 9 = 130, grade 8 = 118, etc.
- Comparison Table with Popular Subjects
The below table is popular subjects of Edexcel Grade Boundaries of June 2025 International GCSE (9 to 1)
| Subjects | Maximum Marks | Grade 9 | Grade 8 | Grade 7 | Grade 6 | Grade 5 | Grade 4 | Grade 3 | Grade 2 | Grade 1 | U |
| Mathematics | Vary based on need | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| English Literature | 150 | 120 | 112 | 105 | 93 | 81 | 69 | 52 | 36 | 20 | 0 |
| English Language B | 150 | 113 | 106 | 99 | 90 | 81 | 73 | 54 | 35 | 17 | 0 |
| French | 160 | 131 | 113 | 96 | 85 | 75 | 65 | 50 | 35 | 20 | 0 |
| Geography | 175 | 140 | 127 | 114 | 100 | 87 | 74 | 59 | 44 | 29 | 0 |
3. Subject-Specific Grade Boundaries
Parents and students often ask about subject-specific grade boundaries. Given below are some popular options you may go through:
3.1 Mathematics Grade Boundaries
Mathematics grade boundaries based on the syllabus code and option (for Cambridge 0580 there are many component combinations and weighted totals).
As per, Cambridge PDFs for 0580 (June/Nov 2024) component cutoffs and the overall weighted minima for A/B/C etc.
Edexcel lists separate entries for Mathematics A/B and Foundation/Higher with precise numeric cutoffs in its June 2025 PDF.
3.2 Science Grade Boundaries
Science subjects (Biology 0610, Chemistry 0620, Physics 0625, Combined Sciences) have component weighting and often multiple papers.
Edexcel gives single overall boundaries for their international specifications. One can go through biology/chemistry/physics PDFs to explore specific marks.
3.3 Language Grade Boundaries
Language subjects such as First/Second Language English, native language papers have thresholds per component.
Cambridge has both:
- Traditional A to G specifications and
- 9 to 1 reformed specs.
3.4 Humanities Grade Boundaries
Humanities subjects for example History, Geography, Economics, Business etc follow the same pattern.
One can go through the official website for confirmation.
How IGCSE Grade Boundaries Work?
IGCSE grade boundaries are set by the examiners after understanding the script and going through a detailed statistical analysis to ensure the grades are fair for students.
Edexcel mostly gives a single overall raw-mark table for linear international GCSEs. While in Cambridge some subjects list component thresholds (individual papers) and then an overall weighted threshold.
Different boards use different scales like A* to G or 9 to 1 in which A* and 9 is the highest.
Understand igcse grading system .
Tips for Students Using Grade Boundaries in Strategy
To get good marks students always need proper planning and strategy. Given below are some important tips for students using grade boundaries in strategy:
1. Don’t Fixate on Past Boundaries
Instead of sticking to past boundaries learners must use time as a guide. Each time boundaries change and ask boundaries are for previous sessions.
2. Use Past Papers + Boundary Tables
Students after practising past papers thoroughly can go through the official website to check tables to understand where they can gain realistic marks.
3. Time Management and Mark Maximisation
Understanding how much more marks are needed is important for students to strategies and practice accordingly to achieve desired numbers.
4. Track Subject-wise Gaps
Changing study plans by understanding how much marks are needed or exploring the difference between recent performance and target grade opens the opportunity to do well.
Conclusion
Understanding the grade boundaries are important for each learner. However, one must remember that they’re not fixed.
These boundaries are set every year to ensure fair grades based on paper difficulty or cohort performance.
Learners who want accurate details can go through the official grade-threshold PDF mentioned above. Use the tables and to focus revision on the marks that will make the biggest difference.
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