AQA GCSE English Literature grade boundaries
AQA GCSE English Literature grade boundaries for 8 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 Literature grade boundaries
Newest
| Qualification | Max mark | Grade: lowest mark, and % of max mark | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 9 | Grade 8 | Grade 7 | Grade 6 | Grade 5 | Grade 4 | Grade 3 | Grade 2 | Grade 1 | ||
| English Literature | 160 | 14288.8% | 12779.4% | 11370.6% | 9760.6% | 8150.6% | 6641.3% | 4930.6% | 3320.6% | 1710.6% |
| Paper | Max mark | Grade: lowest mark, and % of max mark | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 9 | Grade 8 | Grade 7 | Grade 6 | Grade 5 | Grade 4 | Grade 3 | Grade 2 | Grade 1 | ||
| English Literature Paper 18702/1 | 64 | 5890.6% | 5382.8% | 4976.6% | 4367.2% | 3757.8% | 3250% | 2437.5% | 1625% | 812.5% |
| English Literature Paper 28702/2 | 96 | 8487.5% | 7477.1% | 6466.7% | 5456.3% | 4445.8% | 3435.4% | 2526% | 1717.7% | 99.4% |
- 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 Literature grade boundaries
| Qualification | Max mark | Grade: lowest mark, and % of max mark | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 9 | Grade 8 | Grade 7 | Grade 6 | Grade 5 | Grade 4 | Grade 3 | Grade 2 | Grade 1 | ||
| English Literature | 160 | 13685% | 12276.3% | 10867.5% | 9257.5% | 7748.1% | 6238.8% | 4628.8% | 3018.8% | 159.4% |
| Paper | Max mark | Grade: lowest mark, and % of max mark | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 9 | Grade 8 | Grade 7 | Grade 6 | Grade 5 | Grade 4 | Grade 3 | Grade 2 | Grade 1 | ||
| English Literature Paper 18702/1 | 64 | 5585.9% | 4976.6% | 4468.8% | 3859.4% | 3351.6% | 2843.8% | 2031.3% | 1320.3% | 69.4% |
| English Literature Paper 28702/2 | 96 | 8184.4% | 7275% | 6466.7% | 5456.3% | 4445.8% | 3435.4% | 2526% | 1717.7% | 99.4% |
- 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 2024 AQA GCSE English Literature grade boundaries
| Qualification | Max mark | Grade: lowest mark, and % of max mark | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 9 | Grade 8 | Grade 7 | Grade 6 | Grade 5 | Grade 4 | Grade 3 | Grade 2 | Grade 1 | ||
| English Literature | 160 | 13785.6% | 12175.6% | 10666.3% | 9056.3% | 7446.3% | 5836.3% | 4226.3% | 2716.9% | 127.5% |
| Paper | Max mark | Grade: lowest mark, and % of max mark | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 9 | Grade 8 | Grade 7 | Grade 6 | Grade 5 | Grade 4 | Grade 3 | Grade 2 | Grade 1 | ||
| English Literature Paper 18702/1 | 64 | 5585.9% | 4976.6% | 4468.8% | 3859.4% | 3250% | 2742.2% | 1929.7% | 1218.8% | 57.8% |
| English Literature Paper 28702/2 | 96 | 8285.4% | 7275% | 6264.6% | 5153.1% | 4142.7% | 3132.3% | 2324% | 1515.6% | 77.3% |
- 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 2023 AQA GCSE English Literature grade boundaries
| Qualification | Max mark | Grade: lowest mark, and % of max mark | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 9 | Grade 8 | Grade 7 | Grade 6 | Grade 5 | Grade 4 | Grade 3 | Grade 2 | Grade 1 | ||
| English Literature | 160 | 13584.4% | 11974.4% | 10465% | 8855% | 7245% | 5735.6% | 4226.3% | 2716.9% | 127.5% |
| Paper | Max mark | Grade: lowest mark, and % of max mark | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 9 | Grade 8 | Grade 7 | Grade 6 | Grade 5 | Grade 4 | Grade 3 | Grade 2 | Grade 1 | ||
| English Literature Paper 18702/1 | 64 | 5484.4% | 4875% | 4265.6% | 3656.3% | 3046.9% | 2539.1% | 1828.1% | 1117.2% | 57.8% |
| English Literature Paper 28702/2 | 96 | 8184.4% | 7174% | 6264.6% | 5254.2% | 4243.8% | 3233.3% | 2324% | 1515.6% | 77.3% |
- 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 2022 AQA GCSE English Literature grade boundaries
| Qualification or route | Max mark | Grade: lowest mark, and % of max mark | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 9 | Grade 8 | Grade 7 | Grade 6 | Grade 5 | Grade 4 | Grade 3 | Grade 2 | Grade 1 | ||
| Route NM | 130 | 11185.4% | 9976.2% | 8766.9% | 7456.9% | 6247.7% | 5038.5% | 3627.7% | 2317.7% | 107.7% |
| Route PM | 130 | 11286.2% | 10076.9% | 8867.7% | 7557.7% | 6247.7% | 4937.7% | 3526.9% | 2216.9% | 96.9% |
| Route PN | 130 | 10983.8% | 9774.6% | 8666.2% | 7356.2% | 6046.2% | 4836.9% | 3526.9% | 2216.9% | 96.9% |
| Paper | Max mark | Grade: lowest mark, and % of max mark | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 9 | Grade 8 | Grade 7 | Grade 6 | Grade 5 | Grade 4 | Grade 3 | Grade 2 | Grade 1 | ||
| Eng Lit Paper 1 - 19th Century Novel8702/1N | 30 | 2583.3% | 2273.3% | 1963.3% | 1653.3% | 1446.7% | 1240% | 930% | 620% | 310% |
| Eng Lit Paper 1 - Modern Prose/drama8702/1M | 30 | 2686.7% | 2376.7% | 2170% | 1860% | 1550% | 1343.3% | 930% | 620% | 310% |
| Eng Lit Paper 1 - Poetry Anthology8702/1P | 30 | 2686.7% | 2376.7% | 2066.7% | 1756.7% | 1446.7% | 1136.7% | 826.7% | 516.7% | 26.7% |
| Eng Lit Paper 28702/2 | 70 | 6085.7% | 5375.7% | 4767.1% | 3955.7% | 3245.7% | 2535.7% | 1825.7% | 1115.7% | 45.7% |
- 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 2019 AQA GCSE English Literature grade boundaries
| Qualification | Max mark | Grade: lowest mark, and % of max mark | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 9 | Grade 8 | Grade 7 | Grade 6 | Grade 5 | Grade 4 | Grade 3 | Grade 2 | Grade 1 | ||
| English Literature | 160 | 14188.1% | 12779.4% | 11370.6% | 9861.3% | 8351.9% | 6842.5% | 5031.3% | 3320.6% | 1610% |
| Paper | Max mark | Grade: lowest mark, and % of max mark | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 9 | Grade 8 | Grade 7 | Grade 6 | Grade 5 | Grade 4 | Grade 3 | Grade 2 | Grade 1 | ||
| English Literature Paper 18702/1 | 64 | 5687.5% | 5078.1% | 4570.3% | 3960.9% | 3351.6% | 2843.8% | 2132.8% | 1421.9% | 710.9% |
| English Literature Paper 28702/2 | 96 | 8588.5% | 7679.2% | 6870.8% | 5860.4% | 4951% | 4041.7% | 2930.2% | 1919.8% | 99.4% |
- 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.
June 2018 AQA GCSE English Literature grade boundaries
| Qualification | Max mark | Grade: lowest mark, and % of max mark | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 9 | Grade 8 | Grade 7 | Grade 6 | Grade 5 | Grade 4 | Grade 3 | Grade 2 | Grade 1 | ||
| English Literature | 160 | 13584.4% | 12075% | 10666.3% | 9156.9% | 7647.5% | 6138.1% | 4528.1% | 2918.1% | 148.8% |
| Paper | Max mark | Grade: lowest mark, and % of max mark | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 9 | Grade 8 | Grade 7 | Grade 6 | Grade 5 | Grade 4 | Grade 3 | Grade 2 | Grade 1 | ||
| English Literature Paper 18702/1 | 64 | 5484.4% | 4875% | 4367.2% | 3757.8% | 3148.4% | 2539.1% | 1828.1% | 1218.8% | 69.4% |
| English Literature Paper 28702/2 | 96 | 8184.4% | 7275% | 6365.6% | 5456.3% | 4546.9% | 3637.5% | 2627.1% | 1717.7% | 88.3% |
- 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.
June 2017 AQA GCSE English Literature grade boundaries
| Qualification | Max mark | Grade: lowest mark, and % of max mark | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 9 | Grade 8 | Grade 7 | Grade 6 | Grade 5 | Grade 4 | Grade 3 | Grade 2 | Grade 1 | ||
| English Literature | 160 | 14188.1% | 12779.4% | 11471.3% | 9861.3% | 8251.3% | 6641.3% | 4930.6% | 3220% | 1610% |
| Paper | Max mark | Grade: lowest mark, and % of max mark | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 9 | Grade 8 | Grade 7 | Grade 6 | Grade 5 | Grade 4 | Grade 3 | Grade 2 | Grade 1 | ||
| English Literature Paper 18702/1 | 64 | 5687.5% | 5078.1% | 4570.3% | 3960.9% | 3351.6% | 2742.2% | 2031.3% | 1320.3% | 69.4% |
| English Literature Paper 28702/2 | 96 | 8588.5% | 7780.2% | 6971.9% | 5961.5% | 4951% | 3940.6% | 2930.2% | 1919.8% | 1010.4% |
- 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 Literature boundaries have moved
A grade 7 needed 71.3% of the marks in June 2017 and 70.6% in June 2026.
Each point is the lowest mark for that grade in the June series, as a percentage of the total. A solid line is the higher grade and a dashed line the lower one.
Show as a table
| Series | Grade 7 | Grade 4 |
|---|---|---|
| June 2026 | 113/160 (70.6%) | 66/160 (41.3%) |
| June 2025 | 108/160 (67.5%) | 62/160 (38.8%) |
| June 2024 | 106/160 (66.3%) | 58/160 (36.3%) |
| June 2023 | 104/160 (65%) | 57/160 (35.6%) |
| June 2022 | 87/130 (66.9%) | 50/130 (38.5%) |
| June 2019 | 113/160 (70.6%) | 68/160 (42.5%) |
| June 2018 | 106/160 (66.3%) | 61/160 (38.1%) |
| June 2017 | 114/160 (71.3%) | 66/160 (41.3%) |
Common questions
What were the English Literature grade boundaries in June 2026?
In June 2026, a grade 7 needed 113 out of 160 and a grade 4 needed 66. The full table, with the boundaries for each paper, is at the top of this page.
Where do these AQA GCSE English Literature 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 Literature 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.