SuperExamSuperExam
← All articlesExams explained

What grade boundaries really tell you (and how to use them)

6 May 2026 · 5 min read

An A isn't always 80%. Understanding boundaries changes how you target your revision.

Grade boundaries are the score thresholds for each grade in a given session. They move every year because papers vary in difficulty.

The practical takeaway: chasing a fixed percentage is the wrong target. Aim for the boundary, and know how many marks of cushion you have.

When you self-mark on SuperExam, we map your score to the boundary for that exact session — so an A* on an easy paper and an A* on a brutal one are scored fairly.

Use the gap between your score and the next boundary up to decide where one more mark is cheapest to find. Often it's a method mark you're leaving on the table.

Put it into practice

Every Edexcel past paper is free to browse — start a loop today.

Browse papers →

Keep reading