OCR GCSE Biology B (Twenty First Century Science) grade boundaries
OCR GCSE Biology B (Twenty First Century Science) grade boundaries for 9 series, June 2018 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 OCR's own document, which is linked underneath.
June 2026 OCR GCSE Biology B (Twenty First Century Science) 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 | ||
| Biology B (Twenty First Century Science) (Foundation) | 180 | not available | not available | not available | not available | 11262.2% | 9150.6% | 7139.4% | 5228.9% | 3318.3% |
| Biology B (Twenty First Century Science) (Higher) | 180 | 13876.7% | 12468.9% | 11061.1% | 9150.6% | 7240% | 5329.4% | 4323.9% | not available | not available |
| 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 | ||
| Breadth in Biology (Foundation)J257/01 | 90 | not available | not available | not available | not available | 5864.4% | 4752.2% | 3741.1% | 2831.1% | 1820% |
| Depth in Biology (Foundation)J257/02 | 90 | not available | not available | not available | not available | 5460% | 4448.9% | 3437.8% | 2426.7% | 1516.7% |
| Breadth in Biology (Higher)J257/03 | 90 | 6774.4% | 6066.7% | 5358.9% | 4347.8% | 3336.7% | 2426.7% | 1921.1% | not available | not available |
| Depth in Biology (Higher)J257/04 | 90 | 7178.9% | 6471.1% | 5763.3% | 4853.3% | 3943.3% | 2932.2% | 2426.7% | not available | not available |
- Component boundaries are notional: OCR publishes them to show how each paper went, and only the qualification boundaries decide the grade.
Source: OCR grade boundaries, GCSE June 2026 (opens ocr.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 OCR GCSE Biology B (Twenty First Century Science) 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 | ||
| Biology B (Twenty First Century Science) (Foundation) | 180 | not available | not available | not available | not available | 11664.4% | 10156.1% | 8044.4% | 5932.8% | 3921.7% |
| Biology B (Twenty First Century Science) (Higher) | 180 | 14178.3% | 12971.7% | 11865.6% | 9854.4% | 7943.9% | 6033.3% | 5027.8% | not available | not available |
| 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 | ||
| Breadth in Biology (Foundation)J257/01 | 90 | not available | not available | not available | not available | 5864.4% | 4954.4% | 3943.3% | 2932.2% | 2022.2% |
| Depth in Biology (Foundation)J257/02 | 90 | not available | not available | not available | not available | 5864.4% | 5257.8% | 4145.6% | 3033.3% | 1921.1% |
| Breadth in Biology (Higher)J257/03 | 90 | 7077.8% | 6471.1% | 5965.6% | 4954.4% | 3943.3% | 3033.3% | 2527.8% | not available | not available |
| Depth in Biology (Higher)J257/04 | 90 | 7178.9% | 6572.2% | 5965.6% | 4954.4% | 4044.4% | 3033.3% | 2527.8% | not available | not available |
- Component boundaries are notional: OCR publishes them to show how each paper went, and only the qualification boundaries decide the grade.
Source: OCR grade boundaries, GCSE June 2025 (opens ocr.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 OCR GCSE Biology B (Twenty First Century Science) 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 | ||
| Biology B (Twenty First Century Science) (Foundation) | 180 | not available | not available | not available | not available | 10960.6% | 9653.3% | 7541.7% | 5530.6% | 3519.4% |
| Biology B (Twenty First Century Science) (Higher) | 180 | 14379.4% | 13172.8% | 11966.1% | 10055.6% | 8145% | 6335% | 5430% | not available | not available |
| 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 | ||
| Breadth in Biology (Foundation)J257/01 | 90 | not available | not available | not available | not available | 5156.7% | 4448.9% | 3437.8% | 2527.8% | 1617.8% |
| Depth in Biology (Foundation)J257/02 | 90 | not available | not available | not available | not available | 5864.4% | 5257.8% | 4145.6% | 3033.3% | 1921.1% |
| Breadth in Biology (Higher)J257/03 | 90 | 7077.8% | 6471.1% | 5965.6% | 5055.6% | 4145.6% | 3336.7% | 2932.2% | not available | not available |
| Depth in Biology (Higher)J257/04 | 90 | 7381.1% | 6774.4% | 6066.7% | 5055.6% | 4044.4% | 3033.3% | 2527.8% | not available | not available |
- Component boundaries are notional: OCR publishes them to show how each paper went, and only the qualification boundaries decide the grade.
Source: OCR grade boundaries, GCSE June 2024 (opens ocr.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 OCR GCSE Biology B (Twenty First Century Science) 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 | ||
| Biology B (Twenty First Century Science) (Foundation) | 180 | not available | not available | not available | not available | 10457.8% | 8748.3% | 6435.6% | 4223.3% | 2011.1% |
| Biology B (Twenty First Century Science) (Higher) | 180 | 12871.1% | 11563.9% | 10357.2% | 8748.3% | 7139.4% | 5530.6% | 4726.1% | not available | not available |
| 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 | ||
| Breadth in Biology (Foundation)J257/01 | 90 | not available | not available | not available | not available | 5662.2% | 4853.3% | 3640% | 2426.7% | 1213.3% |
| Depth in Biology (Foundation)J257/02 | 90 | not available | not available | not available | not available | 4853.3% | 3943.3% | 2831.1% | 1820% | 88.9% |
| Breadth in Biology (Higher)J257/03 | 90 | 6875.6% | 6268.9% | 5763.3% | 5055.6% | 4246.7% | 3437.8% | 3033.3% | not available | not available |
| Depth in Biology (Higher)J257/04 | 90 | 6066.7% | 5358.9% | 4651.1% | 3741.1% | 2932.2% | 2123.3% | 1718.9% | not available | not available |
- Component boundaries are notional: OCR publishes them to show how each paper went, and only the qualification boundaries decide the grade.
Source: OCR grade boundaries, GCSE June 2023 (opens ocr.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 OCR GCSE Biology B (Twenty First Century Science) 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 | ||
| Biology B (Twenty First Century Science) (Foundation) | 180 | not available | not available | not available | not available | 9854.4% | 8145% | 6133.9% | 4223.3% | 2312.8% |
| Biology B (Twenty First Century Science) (Higher) | 180 | 12569.4% | 11061.1% | 9552.8% | 7843.3% | 6133.9% | 4525% | 3720.6% | not available | not available |
| 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 | ||
| Breadth in Biology (Foundation)J257/01 | 90 | not available | not available | not available | not available | 4954.4% | 4044.4% | 3134.4% | 2224.4% | 1314.4% |
| Depth in Biology (Foundation)J257/02 | 90 | not available | not available | not available | not available | 4954.4% | 4145.6% | 3033.3% | 2022.2% | 1011.1% |
| Breadth in Biology (Higher)J257/03 | 90 | 6471.1% | 5561.1% | 4752.2% | 3943.3% | 3134.4% | 2426.7% | 2022.2% | not available | not available |
| Depth in Biology (Higher)J257/04 | 90 | 6167.8% | 5561.1% | 4853.3% | 3943.3% | 3033.3% | 2123.3% | 1718.9% | not available | not available |
- Component boundaries are notional: OCR publishes them to show how each paper went, and only the qualification boundaries decide the grade.
Source: OCR grade boundaries, GCSE June 2022 (opens ocr.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 OCR GCSE Biology B (Twenty First Century Science) 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 | ||
| Biology B (Twenty First Century Science) (Foundation) | 180 | not available | not available | not available | not available | 10357.2% | 8145% | 5932.8% | 3720.6% | 168.9% |
| Biology B (Twenty First Century Science) (Higher) | 180 | 11765% | 10357.2% | 9050% | 7642.2% | 6335% | 5027.8% | 4323.9% | not available | not available |
| 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 | ||
| Breadth in Biology (Foundation)J257/01 | 90 | not available | not available | not available | not available | 5662.2% | 4550% | 3336.7% | 2123.3% | 910% |
| Depth in Biology (Foundation)J257/02 | 90 | not available | not available | not available | not available | 4752.2% | 3640% | 2628.9% | 1617.8% | 77.8% |
| Breadth in Biology (Higher)J257/03 | 90 | 6774.4% | 5965.6% | 5257.8% | 4448.9% | 3741.1% | 2932.2% | 2527.8% | not available | not available |
| Depth in Biology (Higher)J257/04 | 90 | 5055.6% | 4448.9% | 3842.2% | 3235.6% | 2628.9% | 2123.3% | 1820% | not available | not available |
- Component boundaries are notional: OCR publishes them to show how each paper went, and only the qualification boundaries decide the grade.
Source: OCR grade boundaries, GCSE November 2021 (opens ocr.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 OCR GCSE Biology B (Twenty First Century Science) 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 | ||
| Biology B (Twenty First Century Science) (Foundation) | 180 | not available | not available | not available | not available | 10256.7% | 8044.4% | 5832.2% | 3720.6% | 168.9% |
| Biology B (Twenty First Century Science) (Higher) | 180 | 11966.1% | 10658.9% | 9351.7% | 7843.3% | 6335% | 4826.7% | 4022.2% | not available | not available |
| 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 | ||
| Breadth in Biology (Foundation)J257/01 | 90 | not available | not available | not available | not available | 5662.2% | 4448.9% | 3235.6% | 2123.3% | 910% |
| Depth in Biology (Foundation)J257/02 | 90 | not available | not available | not available | not available | 4651.1% | 3640% | 2628.9% | 1617.8% | 77.8% |
| Breadth in Biology (Higher)J257/03 | 90 | 7077.8% | 6370% | 5561.1% | 4651.1% | 3741.1% | 2831.1% | 2325.6% | not available | not available |
| Depth in Biology (Higher)J257/04 | 90 | 4954.4% | 4347.8% | 3842.2% | 3235.6% | 2628.9% | 2022.2% | 1718.9% | not available | not available |
- Component boundaries are notional: OCR publishes them to show how each paper went, and only the qualification boundaries decide the grade.
- Non-exam assessment components were not available in this series, so any the qualification has do not count towards the grade.
Source: OCR grade boundaries, GCSE November 2020 (opens ocr.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 OCR GCSE Biology B (Twenty First Century Science) 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 | ||
| Biology B (Twenty First Century Science) (Foundation) | 180 | not available | not available | not available | not available | 10860% | 9351.7% | 7139.4% | 5027.8% | 2916.1% |
| Biology B (Twenty First Century Science) (Higher) | 180 | 12368.3% | 11161.7% | 10055.6% | 8748.3% | 7441.1% | 6133.9% | 5430% | not available | not available |
| 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 | ||
| Breadth in Biology (Foundation)J257/01 | 90 | not available | not available | not available | not available | 5965.6% | 5156.7% | 3943.3% | 2831.1% | 1617.8% |
| Depth in Biology (Foundation)J257/02 | 90 | not available | not available | not available | not available | 4954.4% | 4246.7% | 3235.6% | 2224.4% | 1314.4% |
| Breadth in Biology (Higher)J257/03 | 90 | 7280% | 6572.2% | 5965.6% | 5257.8% | 4448.9% | 3640% | 3235.6% | not available | not available |
| Depth in Biology (Higher)J257/04 | 90 | 5156.7% | 4651.1% | 4145.6% | 3538.9% | 3033.3% | 2527.8% | 2224.4% | not available | not available |
- Component boundaries are notional: OCR publishes them to show how each paper went, and only the qualification boundaries decide the grade.
Source: OCR grade boundaries, GCSE June 2019 (opens ocr.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 OCR GCSE Biology B (Twenty First Century Science) 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 | ||
| Biology B (Twenty First Century Science) (Foundation) | 180 | not available | not available | not available | not available | 9050% | 7642.2% | 5731.7% | 3821.1% | 2011.1% |
| Biology B (Twenty First Century Science) (Higher) | 180 | 10960.6% | 9753.9% | 8647.8% | 7340.6% | 6033.3% | 4726.1% | 3418.9% | not available | not available |
| 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 | ||
| Breadth in biology (Foundation)J257/01 | 90 | not available | not available | not available | not available | 4853.3% | 4145.6% | 3134.4% | 2123.3% | 1213.3% |
| Depth in biology (Foundation)J257/02 | 90 | not available | not available | not available | not available | 4246.7% | 3538.9% | 2628.9% | 1718.9% | 88.9% |
| Breadth in biology (Higher)J257/03 | 90 | 6066.7% | 5460% | 4954.4% | 4347.8% | 3741.1% | 3033.3% | 2224.4% | not available | not available |
| Depth in biology (Higher)J257/04 | 90 | 4954.4% | 4347.8% | 3741.1% | 3033.3% | 2325.6% | 1718.9% | 1213.3% | not available | not available |
- Component boundaries are notional: OCR publishes them to show how each paper went, and only the qualification boundaries decide the grade.
Source: OCR grade boundaries, GCSE June 2018 (opens ocr.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 Biology B (Twenty First Century Science) boundaries have moved
On the Foundation tier, a grade 4 needed 42.2% of the marks in June 2018 and 50.6% in June 2026. On the Higher tier, a grade 7 needed 47.8% of the marks in June 2018 and 61.1% in June 2026.
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
| Series | Grade 4 |
|---|---|
| June 2026 | 91/180 (50.6%) |
| June 2025 | 101/180 (56.1%) |
| June 2024 | 96/180 (53.3%) |
| June 2023 | 87/180 (48.3%) |
| June 2022 | 81/180 (45%) |
| June 2019 | 93/180 (51.7%) |
| June 2018 | 76/180 (42.2%) |
| Series | Grade 7 | Grade 4 |
|---|---|---|
| June 2026 | 110/180 (61.1%) | 53/180 (29.4%) |
| June 2025 | 118/180 (65.6%) | 60/180 (33.3%) |
| June 2024 | 119/180 (66.1%) | 63/180 (35%) |
| June 2023 | 103/180 (57.2%) | 55/180 (30.6%) |
| June 2022 | 95/180 (52.8%) | 45/180 (25%) |
| June 2019 | 100/180 (55.6%) | 61/180 (33.9%) |
| June 2018 | 86/180 (47.8%) | 47/180 (26.1%) |
Common questions
What were the Biology B (Twenty First Century Science) grade boundaries in June 2026?
In June 2026, a grade 4 needed 91 out of 180 on the Foundation tier. On the Higher tier, a grade 7 needed 110 out of 180 and a grade 4 needed 53. The full table, with the boundaries for each paper, is at the top of this page.
Where do these OCR GCSE Biology B (Twenty First Century Science) grade boundaries come from?
Every number is copied from OCR'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 Biology B (Twenty First Century Science) grade boundaries published?
OCR 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 OCR 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.