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AQA GCSE English Language grade boundaries

AQA GCSE English Language grade boundaries for 16 series, June 2017 to June 2026, for the qualification as a whole and for each paper. Each table shows the lowest mark that got each grade, copied from AQA's own document, which is linked underneath.

June 2026 AQA GCSE English Language grade boundaries

Newest
AQA GCSE English Language grade boundaries, June 2026: the qualification as a whole
QualificationMax markGrade: lowest mark, and % of max mark
Grade 9Grade 8Grade 7Grade 6Grade 5Grade 4Grade 3Grade 2Grade 1
English Language16012276.3%11270%10364.4%9358.1%8452.5%7546.9%5534.4%3521.9%1610%
AQA GCSE English Language paper boundaries, June 2026
PaperMax markGrade: lowest mark, and % of max mark
Grade 9Grade 8Grade 7Grade 6Grade 5Grade 4Grade 3Grade 2Grade 1
English Language Paper 18700/1806176.3%5670%5163.8%4657.5%4252.5%3847.5%2835%1822.5%810%
English Language Paper 28700/2806176.3%5670%5265%4758.8%4252.5%3746.3%2733.8%1721.3%810%
  • Paper (component) boundaries are notional: AQA publishes them for illustration, and only the subject boundaries decide the grade.

Source: AQA grade boundaries, GCSE June 2026 (opens aqa.org.uk in a new tab)

Use these on your question decks: keep them in your account, then choose them on any deck's Grade boundaries page to see your predicted grade against them.

June 2025 AQA GCSE English Language grade boundaries

AQA GCSE English Language grade boundaries, June 2025: the qualification as a whole
QualificationMax markGrade: lowest mark, and % of max mark
Grade 9Grade 8Grade 7Grade 6Grade 5Grade 4Grade 3Grade 2Grade 1
English Language16011974.4%10968.1%10062.5%9156.9%8251.3%7345.6%5433.8%3521.9%1610%
AQA GCSE English Language paper boundaries, June 2025
PaperMax markGrade: lowest mark, and % of max mark
Grade 9Grade 8Grade 7Grade 6Grade 5Grade 4Grade 3Grade 2Grade 1
English Language Paper 18700/1805973.8%5467.5%4961.3%4455%4050%3645%2632.5%1721.3%810%
English Language Paper 28700/2806075%5568.8%5163.8%4657.5%4151.3%3746.3%2733.8%1721.3%810%
  • Paper (component) boundaries are notional: AQA publishes them for illustration, and only the subject boundaries decide the grade.

Source: AQA grade boundaries, GCSE June 2025 (opens aqa.org.uk in a new tab)

Use these on your question decks: keep them in your account, then choose them on any deck's Grade boundaries page to see your predicted grade against them.

June 2025 past papers and mark schemes

November 2024 AQA GCSE English Language grade boundaries

AQA GCSE English Language grade boundaries, November 2024: the qualification as a whole
QualificationMax markGrade: lowest mark, and % of max mark
Grade 9Grade 8Grade 7Grade 6Grade 5Grade 4Grade 3Grade 2Grade 1
English Language16012175.6%11169.4%10263.8%9156.9%8050%7043.8%5232.5%3421.3%1610%
AQA GCSE English Language paper boundaries, November 2024
PaperMax markGrade: lowest mark, and % of max mark
Grade 9Grade 8Grade 7Grade 6Grade 5Grade 4Grade 3Grade 2Grade 1
English Language Paper 18700/1806176.3%5670%5163.8%4556.3%4050%3543.8%2632.5%1721.3%810%
English Language Paper 28700/2806176.3%5670%5163.8%4556.3%4050%3543.8%2632.5%1721.3%810%
  • Paper (component) boundaries are notional: AQA publishes them for illustration, and only the subject boundaries decide the grade.

Source: AQA grade boundaries, GCSE November 2024 (opens aqa.org.uk in a new tab)

Use these on your question decks: keep them in your account, then choose them on any deck's Grade boundaries page to see your predicted grade against them.

November 2024 past papers and mark schemes

June 2024 AQA GCSE English Language grade boundaries

AQA GCSE English Language grade boundaries, June 2024: the qualification as a whole
QualificationMax markGrade: lowest mark, and % of max mark
Grade 9Grade 8Grade 7Grade 6Grade 5Grade 4Grade 3Grade 2Grade 1
English Language16012175.6%11169.4%10263.8%9257.5%8251.3%7345.6%5433.8%3521.9%1610%
AQA GCSE English Language paper boundaries, June 2024
PaperMax markGrade: lowest mark, and % of max mark
Grade 9Grade 8Grade 7Grade 6Grade 5Grade 4Grade 3Grade 2Grade 1
English Language Paper 18700/1806075%5568.8%5163.8%4657.5%4151.3%3746.3%2733.8%1721.3%810%
English Language Paper 28700/2806176.3%5670%5163.8%4657.5%4151.3%3645%2632.5%1721.3%810%
  • Paper (component) boundaries are notional: AQA publishes them for illustration, and only the subject boundaries decide the grade.

Source: AQA grade boundaries, GCSE June 2024 (opens aqa.org.uk in a new tab)

Use these on your question decks: keep them in your account, then choose them on any deck's Grade boundaries page to see your predicted grade against them.

June 2024 past papers and mark schemes

November 2023 AQA GCSE English Language grade boundaries

AQA GCSE English Language grade boundaries, November 2023: the qualification as a whole
QualificationMax markGrade: lowest mark, and % of max mark
Grade 9Grade 8Grade 7Grade 6Grade 5Grade 4Grade 3Grade 2Grade 1
English Language16012075%11068.8%10163.1%9056.3%8050%7043.8%5232.5%3421.3%1610%
AQA GCSE English Language paper boundaries, November 2023
PaperMax markGrade: lowest mark, and % of max mark
Grade 9Grade 8Grade 7Grade 6Grade 5Grade 4Grade 3Grade 2Grade 1
English Language Paper 18700/1806176.3%5670%5265%4657.5%4050%3543.8%2632.5%1721.3%810%
English Language Paper 28700/2805973.8%5467.5%4961.3%4455%3948.8%3543.8%2632.5%1721.3%810%
  • Paper (component) boundaries are notional: AQA publishes them for illustration, and only the subject boundaries decide the grade.

Source: AQA grade boundaries, GCSE November 2023 (opens filestore.aqa.org.uk in a new tab)

Use these on your question decks: keep them in your account, then choose them on any deck's Grade boundaries page to see your predicted grade against them.

November 2023 past papers and mark schemes

June 2023 AQA GCSE English Language grade boundaries

AQA GCSE English Language grade boundaries, June 2023: the qualification as a whole
QualificationMax markGrade: lowest mark, and % of max mark
Grade 9Grade 8Grade 7Grade 6Grade 5Grade 4Grade 3Grade 2Grade 1
English Language16012175.6%11169.4%10263.8%9156.9%8150.6%7144.4%5232.5%3421.3%1610%
AQA GCSE English Language paper boundaries, June 2023
PaperMax markGrade: lowest mark, and % of max mark
Grade 9Grade 8Grade 7Grade 6Grade 5Grade 4Grade 3Grade 2Grade 1
English Language Paper 18700/1806176.3%5670%5265%4657.5%4151.3%3645%2632.5%1721.3%810%
English Language Paper 28700/2806075%5568.8%5062.5%4556.3%4050%3543.8%2632.5%1721.3%810%
  • Paper (component) boundaries are notional: AQA publishes them for illustration, and only the subject boundaries decide the grade.

Source: AQA grade boundaries, GCSE June 2023 (opens filestore.aqa.org.uk in a new tab)

Use these on your question decks: keep them in your account, then choose them on any deck's Grade boundaries page to see your predicted grade against them.

June 2023 past papers and mark schemes

November 2022 AQA GCSE English Language grade boundaries

AQA GCSE English Language grade boundaries, November 2022: the qualification as a whole
QualificationMax markGrade: lowest mark, and % of max mark
Grade 9Grade 8Grade 7Grade 6Grade 5Grade 4Grade 3Grade 2Grade 1
English Language16012075%11068.8%10163.1%9156.9%8150.6%7144.4%5232.5%3421.3%1610%
AQA GCSE English Language paper boundaries, November 2022
PaperMax markGrade: lowest mark, and % of max mark
Grade 9Grade 8Grade 7Grade 6Grade 5Grade 4Grade 3Grade 2Grade 1
English Language Paper 18700/1806075%5568.8%5163.8%4657.5%4151.3%3645%2632.5%1721.3%810%
English Language Paper 28700/2806075%5568.8%5062.5%4556.3%4050%3543.8%2632.5%1721.3%810%
  • Paper (component) boundaries are notional: AQA publishes them for illustration, and only the subject boundaries decide the grade.

Source: AQA grade boundaries, GCSE November 2022 (opens filestore.aqa.org.uk in a new tab)

Use these on your question decks: keep them in your account, then choose them on any deck's Grade boundaries page to see your predicted grade against them.

November 2022 past papers and mark schemes

June 2022 AQA GCSE English Language grade boundaries

AQA GCSE English Language grade boundaries, June 2022: the qualification as a whole
QualificationMax markGrade: lowest mark, and % of max mark
Grade 9Grade 8Grade 7Grade 6Grade 5Grade 4Grade 3Grade 2Grade 1
English Language16011974.4%10968.1%10062.5%9056.3%8050%7043.8%5232.5%3421.3%1610%
AQA GCSE English Language paper boundaries, June 2022
PaperMax markGrade: lowest mark, and % of max mark
Grade 9Grade 8Grade 7Grade 6Grade 5Grade 4Grade 3Grade 2Grade 1
English Language Paper 18700/1806075%5568.8%5062.5%4556.3%4050%3543.8%2632.5%1721.3%810%
English Language Paper 28700/2806075%5568.8%5062.5%4556.3%4050%3543.8%2632.5%1721.3%810%
  • Paper (component) boundaries are notional: AQA publishes them for illustration, and only the subject boundaries decide the grade.

Source: AQA grade boundaries, GCSE June 2022 (opens filestore.aqa.org.uk in a new tab)

Use these on your question decks: keep them in your account, then choose them on any deck's Grade boundaries page to see your predicted grade against them.

June 2022 past papers and mark schemes

November 2021 AQA GCSE English Language grade boundaries

AQA GCSE English Language grade boundaries, November 2021: the qualification as a whole
QualificationMax markGrade: lowest mark, and % of max mark
Grade 9Grade 8Grade 7Grade 6Grade 5Grade 4Grade 3Grade 2Grade 1
English Language16012175.6%11169.4%10163.1%9056.3%7949.4%6842.5%5031.3%3220%148.8%
AQA GCSE English Language paper boundaries, November 2021
PaperMax markGrade: lowest mark, and % of max mark
Grade 9Grade 8Grade 7Grade 6Grade 5Grade 4Grade 3Grade 2Grade 1
English Language Paper 18700/1806176.3%5670%5163.8%4556.3%3948.8%3442.5%2531.3%1620%78.8%
English Language Paper 28700/2806075%5568.8%5062.5%4556.3%4050%3442.5%2531.3%1620%78.8%
  • Paper (component) boundaries are notional: AQA publishes them for illustration, and only the subject boundaries decide the grade.

Source: AQA grade boundaries, GCSE November 2021 (opens filestore.aqa.org.uk in a new tab)

Use these on your question decks: keep them in your account, then choose them on any deck's Grade boundaries page to see your predicted grade against them.

November 2021 past papers and mark schemes

November 2020 AQA GCSE English Language grade boundaries

AQA GCSE English Language grade boundaries, November 2020: the qualification as a whole
QualificationMax markGrade: lowest mark, and % of max mark
Grade 9Grade 8Grade 7Grade 6Grade 5Grade 4Grade 3Grade 2Grade 1
English Language16012376.9%11370.6%10364.4%9156.9%7949.4%6842.5%4930.6%3018.8%127.5%
AQA GCSE English Language paper boundaries, November 2020
PaperMax markGrade: lowest mark, and % of max mark
Grade 9Grade 8Grade 7Grade 6Grade 5Grade 4Grade 3Grade 2Grade 1
English Language Paper 18700/1806277.5%5771.3%5265%4657.5%4050%3442.5%2430%1518.8%67.5%
English Language Paper 28700/2806176.3%5670%5163.8%4556.3%3948.8%3442.5%2430%1518.8%67.5%
  • Paper (component) boundaries are notional: AQA publishes them for illustration, and only the subject boundaries decide the grade.

Source: AQA grade boundaries, GCSE November 2020 (opens filestore.aqa.org.uk in a new tab)

Use these on your question decks: keep them in your account, then choose them on any deck's Grade boundaries page to see your predicted grade against them.

November 2020 past papers and mark schemes

November 2019 AQA GCSE English Language grade boundaries

AQA GCSE English Language grade boundaries, November 2019: the qualification as a whole
QualificationMax markGrade: lowest mark, and % of max mark
Grade 9Grade 8Grade 7Grade 6Grade 5Grade 4Grade 3Grade 2Grade 1
English Language16013181.9%12175.6%11169.4%10062.5%8955.6%7949.4%5836.3%3723.1%1610%
AQA GCSE English Language paper boundaries, November 2019
PaperMax markGrade: lowest mark, and % of max mark
Grade 9Grade 8Grade 7Grade 6Grade 5Grade 4Grade 3Grade 2Grade 1
English Language Paper 18700/1806682.5%6176.3%5670%5062.5%4455%3948.8%2835%1822.5%810%
English Language Paper 28700/2806581.3%6075%5568.8%5062.5%4556.3%4050%2936.3%1822.5%810%
  • Paper (component) boundaries are notional: AQA publishes them for illustration, and only the subject boundaries decide the grade.

Source: AQA grade boundaries, GCSE November 2019 (opens filestore.aqa.org.uk in a new tab)

Use these on your question decks: keep them in your account, then choose them on any deck's Grade boundaries page to see your predicted grade against them.

June 2019 AQA GCSE English Language grade boundaries

AQA GCSE English Language grade boundaries, June 2019: the qualification as a whole
QualificationMax markGrade: lowest mark, and % of max mark
Grade 9Grade 8Grade 7Grade 6Grade 5Grade 4Grade 3Grade 2Grade 1
English Language16012779.4%11773.1%10867.5%9760.6%8653.8%7647.5%5635%3622.5%1610%
AQA GCSE English Language paper boundaries, June 2019
PaperMax markGrade: lowest mark, and % of max mark
Grade 9Grade 8Grade 7Grade 6Grade 5Grade 4Grade 3Grade 2Grade 1
English Language Paper 18700/1806480%5973.8%5467.5%4860%4353.8%3847.5%2835%1822.5%810%
English Language Paper 28700/2806480%5973.8%5467.5%4860%4353.8%3847.5%2835%1822.5%810%
  • Paper (component) boundaries are notional: AQA publishes them for illustration, and only the subject boundaries decide the grade.

Source: AQA grade boundaries, GCSE June 2019 (opens filestore.aqa.org.uk in a new tab)

Use these on your question decks: keep them in your account, then choose them on any deck's Grade boundaries page to see your predicted grade against them.

November 2018 AQA GCSE English Language grade boundaries

AQA GCSE English Language grade boundaries, November 2018: the qualification as a whole
QualificationMax markGrade: lowest mark, and % of max mark
Grade 9Grade 8Grade 7Grade 6Grade 5Grade 4Grade 3Grade 2Grade 1
English Language16013483.8%12578.1%11773.1%10565.6%9358.1%8150.6%5936.9%3723.1%1610%
AQA GCSE English Language paper boundaries, November 2018
PaperMax markGrade: lowest mark, and % of max mark
Grade 9Grade 8Grade 7Grade 6Grade 5Grade 4Grade 3Grade 2Grade 1
English Language Paper 18700/1806986.3%6581.3%6176.3%5467.5%4860%4252.5%3037.5%1923.8%810%
English Language Paper 28700/2806581.3%6075%5670%5062.5%4455%3948.8%2835%1822.5%810%
  • Paper (component) boundaries are notional: AQA publishes them for illustration, and only the subject boundaries decide the grade.

Source: AQA grade boundaries, GCSE November 2018 (opens filestore.aqa.org.uk in a new tab)

Use these on your question decks: keep them in your account, then choose them on any deck's Grade boundaries page to see your predicted grade against them.

June 2018 AQA GCSE English Language grade boundaries

AQA GCSE English Language grade boundaries, June 2018: the qualification as a whole
QualificationMax markGrade: lowest mark, and % of max mark
Grade 9Grade 8Grade 7Grade 6Grade 5Grade 4Grade 3Grade 2Grade 1
English Language16012880%11873.8%10867.5%9760.6%8653.8%7647.5%5635%3622.5%1610%
AQA GCSE English Language paper boundaries, June 2018
PaperMax markGrade: lowest mark, and % of max mark
Grade 9Grade 8Grade 7Grade 6Grade 5Grade 4Grade 3Grade 2Grade 1
English Language Paper 18700/1806581.3%6075%5568.8%4961.3%4455%3948.8%2835%1822.5%810%
English Language Paper 28700/2806378.8%5872.5%5366.3%4758.8%4252.5%3746.3%2733.8%1721.3%810%
  • Paper (component) boundaries are notional: AQA publishes them for illustration, and only the subject boundaries decide the grade.

Source: AQA grade boundaries, GCSE June 2018 (opens filestore.aqa.org.uk in a new tab)

Use these on your question decks: keep them in your account, then choose them on any deck's Grade boundaries page to see your predicted grade against them.

November 2017 AQA GCSE English Language grade boundaries

AQA GCSE English Language grade boundaries, November 2017: the qualification as a whole
QualificationMax markGrade: lowest mark, and % of max mark
Grade 9Grade 8Grade 7Grade 6Grade 5Grade 4Grade 3Grade 2Grade 1
English Language16013282.5%12376.9%11471.3%10263.8%9156.9%8050%5836.3%3723.1%1610%
AQA GCSE English Language paper boundaries, November 2017
PaperMax markGrade: lowest mark, and % of max mark
Grade 9Grade 8Grade 7Grade 6Grade 5Grade 4Grade 3Grade 2Grade 1
English Language Paper 18700/1806783.8%6378.8%5973.8%5366.3%4758.8%4151.3%3037.5%1923.8%810%
English Language Paper 28700/2806581.3%6075%5568.8%4961.3%4455%3948.8%2835%1822.5%810%
  • Paper (component) boundaries are notional: AQA publishes them for illustration, and only the subject boundaries decide the grade.

Source: AQA grade boundaries, GCSE November 2017 (opens filestore.aqa.org.uk in a new tab)

Use these on your question decks: keep them in your account, then choose them on any deck's Grade boundaries page to see your predicted grade against them.

June 2017 AQA GCSE English Language grade boundaries

AQA GCSE English Language grade boundaries, June 2017: the qualification as a whole
QualificationMax markGrade: lowest mark, and % of max mark
Grade 9Grade 8Grade 7Grade 6Grade 5Grade 4Grade 3Grade 2Grade 1
English Language16012376.9%11370.6%10465%9358.1%8251.3%7245%5333.1%3421.3%1610%
AQA GCSE English Language paper boundaries, June 2017
PaperMax markGrade: lowest mark, and % of max mark
Grade 9Grade 8Grade 7Grade 6Grade 5Grade 4Grade 3Grade 2Grade 1
English Language Paper 18700/1806176.3%5670%5163.8%4556.3%4050%3543.8%2632.5%1721.3%810%
English Language Paper 28700/2806277.5%5771.3%5366.3%4758.8%4252.5%3746.3%2733.8%1721.3%810%
  • Paper (component) boundaries are notional: AQA publishes them for illustration, and only the subject boundaries decide the grade.

Source: AQA grade boundaries, GCSE June 2017 (opens filestore.aqa.org.uk in a new tab)

Use these on your question decks: keep them in your account, then choose them on any deck's Grade boundaries page to see your predicted grade against them.

How the English Language boundaries have moved

A grade 7 needed 65% of the marks in June 2017 and 64.4% in June 2026.

English Language
30%55%80%20172018201920222023202420252026June 2017: grade 7 needed 104 out of 160 (65%)June 2018: grade 7 needed 108 out of 160 (67.5%)June 2019: grade 7 needed 108 out of 160 (67.5%)June 2022: grade 7 needed 100 out of 160 (62.5%)June 2023: grade 7 needed 102 out of 160 (63.8%)June 2024: grade 7 needed 102 out of 160 (63.8%)June 2025: grade 7 needed 100 out of 160 (62.5%)June 2026: grade 7 needed 103 out of 160 (64.4%)7June 2017: grade 4 needed 72 out of 160 (45%)June 2018: grade 4 needed 76 out of 160 (47.5%)June 2019: grade 4 needed 76 out of 160 (47.5%)June 2022: grade 4 needed 70 out of 160 (43.8%)June 2023: grade 4 needed 71 out of 160 (44.4%)June 2024: grade 4 needed 73 out of 160 (45.6%)June 2025: grade 4 needed 73 out of 160 (45.6%)June 2026: grade 4 needed 75 out of 160 (46.9%)4

Each point is the lowest mark for that grade in the June series, as a percentage of the total. Other series, such as November resits, are left out so the years compare like with like. A solid line is the higher grade and a dashed line the lower one.

Show as a table
English Language
SeriesGrade 7Grade 4
June 2026103/160 (64.4%)75/160 (46.9%)
June 2025100/160 (62.5%)73/160 (45.6%)
June 2024102/160 (63.8%)73/160 (45.6%)
June 2023102/160 (63.8%)71/160 (44.4%)
June 2022100/160 (62.5%)70/160 (43.8%)
June 2019108/160 (67.5%)76/160 (47.5%)
June 2018108/160 (67.5%)76/160 (47.5%)
June 2017104/160 (65%)72/160 (45%)

Common questions

What were the English Language grade boundaries in June 2026?

In June 2026, a grade 7 needed 103 out of 160 and a grade 4 needed 75. The full table, with the boundaries for each paper, is at the top of this page.

Where do these AQA GCSE English Language grade boundaries come from?

Every number is copied from AQA's own published grade boundary document for that series, which is linked under each table. We lay them out by course so you don't have to search a document covering every subject, and nothing is changed or estimated.

Why do grade boundaries change every year?

Boundaries are set after each exam has been marked, so that a grade means the same standard even when one year's paper is harder than another's. A harder paper usually has lower boundaries. That is why an old paper is best marked against its own year's boundaries, which is what the tables here are for.

When are new English Language grade boundaries published?

AQA publishes grade boundaries on results day: for summer exams that is mid August for A levels and a week later for GCSEs, and November and January series get theirs on their own results days. We add them here after that, usually well before the papers themselves are released.

More grade boundaries: every AQA course or every board.

cookie is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any exam board. Every paper here is a link to the board's own copy on its own website, and the papers belong to the boards that set them. If a link has stopped working, the board's own past paper page is linked on each course. The grade boundaries are copied from the boards’ own published documents, each linked under its table.