Grade Boundaries 2026: Your complete guide
While you've most likely heard the term "grade boundary", you may still have questions about what grade boundaries actually are, why they change each year, how they are decided and when we publish our grade boundaries?
In this guide, we answer everything you need to know about grade boundaries, helping you understand how they work and what they mean for your results.
What is a grade boundary?
Grade boundaries are the minimum number of marks needed to achieve each grade. They ensure that whenever the exam is sat, students receive the same grade for the same level of performance.
Whilst exam papers are written to the same level of difficulty, they do vary each year.
Why do grade boundaries change every year?
New grade boundaries are set each year to reflect the difficulty of that particular paper, and to ensure that it is no easier or harder to get a grade in any given year.
For example, if an exam is easier than in previous years, the grade boundaries for that paper will be higher, whereas if it’s harder, the grade boundaries will be lower.
What are UMS grade boundaries?
For unitised specifications, grade boundaries are converted to a Uniform Mark Scale (UMS). UMS grade boundaries remain the same every year as the range of UMS mark percentages allocated to a particular grade does not change. UMS grade boundaries are published at overall subject and unit level.
You can access unit grade boundaries and raw mark to UMS information in our Grade converter here.
When and how are grade boundaries decided?
Once most exam papers have been marked, grade boundaries are set by senior examiners and assessment experts.
Each exam board determines grade boundaries by analysing performance data from the current cohort of students and comparing it with data from previous years. This data is used to identify potential grade boundaries, which reflect whether students found the exam slightly harder or easier than the previous year.
Senior examiners will then review samples of work from students who have achieved marks on and around these potential grade boundaries. This is compared with work of students from the previous year who were on the same grade boundaries.
Those papers are studied to determine if the standard of work at the potential grade boundary is appropriate. Senior examiners use the evidence from their scrutiny in combination with the data, to recommend final grade boundaries.
Do grade boundaries differ between exam boards?
Yes - grade boundaries generally differ between exam boards as grading reflects the level of difficulty of each specific exam paper.
Higher grade boundaries with one exam board compared to another does not mean it is harder to achieve a particular grade. It simply suggests that students generally found the exam paper easier. Similarly, where grade boundaries are lower with one exam board than another, this indicates that the paper was harder, not that it is easier to get a higher grade.
WJEC Grade boundaries 2026
Our grade boundaries are determined following the awarding process and are released on the day results are issued.
You can access grade boundaries for your qualifications on results day here.
When are results days?
WJEC results are split across three days:
Thursday 2nd July 2026
- Entry Pathways
Thursday 13th August 2026
- AS/A Level
- Level 3 Applied Certificates and Diplomas
- Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales
- Extended Project
- Foundation Diploma in Art and Design
- Level 3 Health and Social Care/ Children’s Care Play Learning and Development (Wales)
Thursday 20th August 2026
- GCSE
- Level 1/2 Vocational & Technical Awards and Certificates
- Entry Level
- Level 1&2 Certificates (Latin and Additional Maths)
- Language Pathways
- Skills Challenge Certificate – Welsh Baccalaureate Qualification National/Foundation
- Cymraeg Gwaith
- Level 2 Health and Social Care/ Children’s Care Play Learning and Development (Wales)
We hope this blog has helped you better understand how grade boundaries work and why they can change from year to year. Remember, grade boundaries are designed to ensure fairness and consistency for all students.
If you're waiting for your 2026 results, keep an eye on our website on results day for the latest grade boundary information. In the meantime, be sure to explore our regularly updated student blogs for more advice and support on exam day, revision and results day.