GCSE Physics grade boundaries 2026: what are the confirmed marks?
The official June 2026 tables were published by AQA and OCR on GCSE results day, Thursday 20 August. For separate Physics, AQA 8463 Higher requires 157 marks out of 200 for grade 9 and 128 for grade 7. OCR Physics A J249 Higher requires 152 out of 180 for grade 9 and 131 for grade 7.
At Foundation tier, the grade 5 boundary is 141 out of 200 for AQA Physics 8463, 123 out of 180 for OCR Physics A J249 and 121 out of 180 for OCR Physics B J259. The tables below also include the main Combined Science boundaries, where pupils receive a paired grade such as 7-7 or 5-4.
Your results sheet already gives the grade awarded by your exam board. Use a boundary table when you want to see how your total mark relates to that grade, how far you were from the next boundary or what to discuss with your school. Start by matching the board, qualification code and tier exactly.
How do GCSE Physics grade boundaries work?
A grade boundary is the minimum total mark needed for a particular grade. In AQA Physics 8463 Higher this year, 128 marks is the lowest total awarded grade 7. A total of 127 sits in the grade 6 band, while a total exactly on 128 receives grade 7.
Separate GCSE Physics gives one grade from 9 to 1. For AQA Physics 8463, the two 100-mark papers are added to give a total out of 200. OCR Physics A J249 uses two 90-mark papers, giving an overall total out of 180. OCR Physics B J259 is a different qualification, so its row must be checked separately.
Combined Science works differently. It produces a pair of grades because it is worth two GCSEs. AQA Combined Science: Trilogy 8464 adds marks from all six Biology, Chemistry and Physics papers to a total out of 420. The Physics papers contribute to the final pair, but there is no separate GCSE Physics grade inside that result.
Always use the overall qualification boundary for the route and tier you sat. Dividing a raw mark by the maximum and applying a generic percentage rule can give the wrong answer.
Official separate GCSE Physics grade boundaries 2026
Match the qualification code and tier on your results sheet. A dash means that grade is not available on that tier.
| Course and tier | Maximum mark | Grade 9 | Grade 7 | Grade 5 | Grade 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AQA Physics 8463 Higher | 200 | 157 | 128 | 87 | 67 |
| AQA Physics 8463 Foundation | 200 | - | - | 141 | 126 |
| OCR Physics A J249 Higher | 180 | 152 | 131 | 97 | 80 |
| OCR Physics A J249 Foundation | 180 | - | - | 123 | 108 |
| OCR Physics B J259 Higher | 180 | 141 | 119 | 87 | 71 |
| OCR Physics B J259 Foundation | 180 | - | - | 121 | 106 |
These are the official overall qualification boundaries published by AQA and OCR on 20 August 2026. The grade 3 Higher-tier safety-net boundaries are 57 for AQA 8463, 71 for OCR J249 and 63 for OCR J259.
Official Combined Science grade boundaries 2026
Combined Science is worth two GCSEs and awards a paired grade. These totals include every Biology, Chemistry and Physics component.
| Course and tier | Maximum mark | Grade 9-9 | Grade 7-7 | Grade 5-5 | Grade 4-4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AQA Trilogy 8464 Higher | 420 | 298 | 228 | 149 | 111 |
| AQA Trilogy 8464 Foundation | 420 | - | - | 276 | 238 |
| OCR Combined Science A J250 Higher | 360 | 275 | 222 | 154 | 121 |
| OCR Combined Science A J250 Foundation | 360 | - | - | 209 | 174 |
| OCR Combined Science B J260 Higher | 360 | 257 | 206 | 139 | 107 |
| OCR Combined Science B J260 Foundation | 360 | - | - | 218 | 189 |
Use the overall qualification row, not the notional boundary for an individual Physics paper. Intermediate paired grades such as 8-7, 7-6 and 5-4 are also listed in the official exam-board PDFs.
How did GCSE Physics grade boundaries change from 2024 to 2026?
Raw boundaries move when the difficulty of the papers changes. These overall Higher-tier figures show the recent trend without suggesting that one year was automatically easier for every pupil.
| Course | June 2024 | June 2025 | June 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| AQA Physics 8463 Higher (out of 200) | Grade 9: 151; 7: 122; 5: 85; 4: 67 | Grade 9: 152; 7: 126; 5: 88; 4: 70 | Grade 9: 157; 7: 128; 5: 87; 4: 67 |
| OCR Physics A J249 Higher (out of 180) | Grade 9: 147; 7: 123; 5: 85; 4: 66 | Grade 9: 150; 7: 127; 5: 92; 4: 75 | Grade 9: 152; 7: 131; 5: 97; 4: 80 |
| AQA Trilogy 8464 Higher (out of 420) | 9-9: 289; 7-7: 215; 5-5: 133; 4-4: 93 | 9-9: 299; 7-7: 228; 5-5: 140; 4-4: 96 | 9-9: 298; 7-7: 228; 5-5: 149; 4-4: 111 |
| OCR Combined Science A J250 Higher (out of 360) | 9-9: 273; 7-7: 224; 5-5: 160; 4-4: 129 | 9-9: 280; 7-7: 226; 5-5: 158; 4-4: 126 | 9-9: 275; 7-7: 222; 5-5: 154; 4-4: 121 |
A higher raw boundary does not by itself mean the standard was raised. Exam boards adjust boundaries so the quality of work represented by each grade remains comparable when papers differ in difficulty.
Which GCSE Physics grade-boundary row do I need?
Start with your results sheet or exam timetable and match the awarding body, qualification code and tier. Similar-looking course names can have different papers and different boundaries.
AQA separate Physics: 8463
Look for GCSE Physics 8463 and then the Foundation or Higher overall qualification row. Do not use the Combined Science 8464 row.
AQA Combined Science: Trilogy 8464
Look for the Foundation or Higher overall Combined Science: Trilogy result. It uses all six papers and awards a double grade.
OCR Physics A: J249
This is the Gateway Science separate Physics course. Match J249 and the Foundation or Higher entry option.
OCR Physics B: J259
This is the Twenty First Century Science separate Physics course. It has its own J259 row and must not be confused with J249.
OCR Combined Science A: J250
This is Gateway Combined Science. The overall result uses Biology, Chemistry and Physics components and awards a paired grade.
OCR Combined Science B: J260
This is Twenty First Century Combined Science. Use the J260 overall row rather than a separate Physics row.
How to read your Physics marks against the boundary
Use the qualification total shown on the official table. Paper-level or component boundaries may be included to show approximately how demanding one component was, but they are described as notional because the qualification grade is awarded from the combined total.
Check the tier first
Foundation and Higher papers have different available grades and different boundary rows. Foundation usually awards grades 1 to 5; Higher awards grades 4 to 9, with a narrow grade 3 safety net for pupils just below grade 4.
Check whether the mark is raw or scaled
Use the kind of mark named in the table. Do not combine a paper raw mark with an overall scaled boundary or compare marks from different maximum totals.
Find the minimum mark for each grade
A boundary is inclusive. A mark exactly on the listed grade 7 boundary receives grade 7; one mark below falls into the next grade band unless another rule applies.
Combined Science uses paired grades
Read 7-6 as one Combined Science result worth two GCSEs. It does not mean grade 7 in Physics and grade 6 in another science.
What should I do with my GCSE Physics result?
Start with the grade and the next decision it affects. A boundary table can add context, but it should not turn results morning into a frantic argument over one paper before you know your options.
If you received the grade you needed
Confirm your sixth-form, college or apprenticeship place and ask which course and exam board you will study next. If you are considering A-level Physics, check its actual Physics or Combined Science and Maths entry requirements.
If you narrowly missed a requirement
Speak to the provider directly. It may look at your complete grade profile, available places and its own entry policy. A different school's published rule does not decide your case.
If the mark looks surprising
Ask your school or college to explain the result and the available post-results services. A review of marking checks whether the mark scheme was applied correctly; it is not a fresh marking exercise and the mark can stay the same, rise or fall.
If you want to improve your Physics
Use the mark information to choose a precise next step. You could revisit the specific heat capacity required practical, motion graphs or Newton's laws instead of trying to revise the entire course again at once.
How should I read the AQA and OCR grade-boundary tables?
On the AQA and OCR documents, find the overall qualification row that matches your code and tier. That row decides the grade. A separate paper row is useful for understanding performance, but it does not award an independent GCSE grade.
Do not compare an AQA mark directly with an OCR boundary. Exam boards assess the same national subject content and assessment objectives, but their paper questions and total marks are not identical. Ofqual requires comparable grade standards, not identical boundary numbers.
The same warning applies across years. A 2025 boundary describes the 2025 papers. The confirmed 2026 row is the only one that should be used to interpret a June 2026 mark; older rows are included only to show how boundaries can move.
Why do GCSE Physics grade boundaries change each year?
The principle is similar to evaluating experimental data. You cannot interpret a number until you know what was measured, the scale used and the uncertainty around the comparison. Here, that means checking the qualification, tier, maximum mark and whether the figure is an overall or notional boundary.
Ofqual explains that exam boards set boundaries after marking because the difficulty experienced by pupils cannot be known perfectly in advance. If a paper proves harder, the boundary may be lower; if it proves easier, it may be higher. The aim is to keep the standard of work for a grade comparable over time.
There is no fixed percentage that always earns a grade 9, 7, 5 or 4, and there is no quota that forces a set number of pupils to fail. Treat claims such as "70% is always a grade 7" as shortcuts, not grading rules.
What do notional paper boundaries mean?
A notional component boundary is produced by taking the qualification-level standard and applying it to one paper. It can help a teacher or pupil interpret strengths and weaknesses, but good performance on one component can compensate for weaker performance on another when the final total is calculated.
Boundary comparability is about the quality of work represented by a grade, not the same raw mark every year. Senior examiners examine scripts around possible boundaries alongside statistical evidence before recommendations are finalised.
A pupil one mark below a boundary has not necessarily had one question marked incorrectly. Marks come from the application of a mark scheme across the whole paper. If there is a specific concern, discuss access to scripts and review options with the school rather than assuming the boundary itself can be appealed.
Key words
GCSE Physics grade boundaries 2026: common questions
Are the 2026 GCSE Physics grade boundaries out?
Yes. AQA and OCR published their official June 2026 GCSE grade-boundary tables on Thursday 20 August 2026.
What is the 2026 grade 9 boundary for AQA GCSE Physics?
For AQA separate Physics 8463 Higher, the 2026 grade 9 boundary is 157 marks out of 200. Grade 8 is 142 and grade 7 is 128.
What is the 2026 grade 7 boundary for AQA GCSE Physics?
For AQA Physics 8463 Higher, 128 marks out of 200 is the minimum for grade 7 in June 2026. Grade 6 begins at 107 marks.
What is the 2026 grade 5 boundary for AQA GCSE Physics?
For AQA Physics 8463, grade 5 begins at 87 marks out of 200 on Higher tier and 141 marks out of 200 on Foundation tier. Check the tier on your results information before using the figure.
What are the OCR Physics A J249 grade boundaries for 2026?
For OCR Physics A J249 Higher, the overall 2026 boundaries are 152 for grade 9, 141 for grade 8, 131 for grade 7, 114 for grade 6, 97 for grade 5 and 80 for grade 4, out of 180.
What are the OCR Physics B J259 grade boundaries for 2026?
For OCR Physics B J259 Higher, the overall 2026 boundaries are 141 for grade 9, 130 for grade 8, 119 for grade 7, 103 for grade 6, 87 for grade 5 and 71 for grade 4, out of 180.
What are the AQA Combined Science grade boundaries for 2026?
For AQA Combined Science: Trilogy 8464 Higher, the 2026 overall boundaries include 298 out of 420 for grade 9-9, 228 for 7-7, 149 for 5-5 and 111 for 4-4. Foundation grade 5-5 begins at 276 and 4-4 at 238.
What are the OCR Combined Science A J250 grade boundaries for 2026?
For OCR Combined Science A J250 Higher, the 2026 overall boundaries include 275 out of 360 for grade 9-9, 222 for 7-7, 154 for 5-5 and 121 for 4-4. Foundation grade 5-5 begins at 209 and 4-4 at 174.
What are the OCR Combined Science B J260 grade boundaries for 2026?
For OCR Combined Science B J260 Higher, the 2026 overall boundaries include 257 out of 360 for grade 9-9, 206 for 7-7, 139 for 5-5 and 107 for 4-4. Foundation grade 5-5 begins at 218 and 4-4 at 189.
Is there a separate Physics grade in AQA Combined Science?
No. AQA Combined Science: Trilogy 8464 combines marks from six Biology, Chemistry and Physics papers and awards a paired grade for the complete qualification.
What grades are available on Foundation and Higher Physics?
Foundation normally awards grades 1 to 5. Higher normally awards grades 4 to 9, with a narrow grade 3 safety net for a pupil who just misses grade 4. Combined Science uses paired grades.
Do individual GCSE Physics papers have grade boundaries?
Exam boards may publish notional component boundaries for individual papers, but the final GCSE grade is awarded from the overall qualification total, not as separate paper grades.
Why do GCSE Physics grade boundaries change?
Paper difficulty varies. Exam boards set boundaries after marking and examine statistical evidence and pupils' work so that the standard represented by a grade remains comparable.
Were predicted GCSE Physics grade boundaries 2026 accurate?
Predictions were only estimates based on older papers. Use the official 2026 AQA or OCR table now that it is available, because this year's raw boundaries were set after marking the 2026 papers.
What were the AQA GCSE Physics grade boundaries in 2025?
For AQA Physics 8463 Higher in June 2025, the overall boundaries included 152 marks for grade 9, 126 for grade 7, 88 for grade 5 and 70 for grade 4, from a maximum of 200. These do not predict the 2026 boundaries.
What were the OCR Physics A grade boundaries in 2025?
For OCR Physics A J249 Higher in June 2025, the overall boundaries included 150 marks for grade 9, 127 for grade 7, 92 for grade 5 and 75 for grade 4, from a maximum of 180. These do not predict the 2026 boundaries.
What should I do if I am one mark below a Physics grade boundary?
Speak to your school or college. Ask it to explain the result, access-to-script options and whether a review of marking is sensible. A review can leave the mark unchanged or move it up or down.
Which code is AQA GCSE Physics?
AQA separate GCSE Physics is 8463. AQA Combined Science: Trilogy is 8464, so check that you use the row matching the qualification you actually took.
Which codes are OCR GCSE Physics?
OCR Physics A (Gateway Science) is J249 and OCR Physics B (Twenty First Century Science) is J259. OCR Combined Science A is J250 and Combined Science B is J260.