IGCSE Grade Conversion Chart: How Percentages Map to Letter Grades
Talimat Academic Team
Education Specialist
IGCSE grades are not fixed to percentage thresholds. Cambridge and Edexcel set boundaries after each series based on paper difficulty, so 70% could earn an A* in one subject and a B in another. Here is how the system works for 2026.
IGCSE grades are not fixed to set percentages. Cambridge and Edexcel set grade boundaries after each series based on paper difficulty, so 70% might be an A* in one subject and a B in another. Always check the official boundary document.
Understanding your IGCSE grade conversion is one of the most practical things to do before results day. Raw marks alone tell you little. What matters is where Cambridge or Edexcel draws the boundary lines after marking is complete.
A grade conversion chart maps raw marks or percentages to official grades (A* to G, or 9 to 1 for Edexcel) set after each series. Boundaries shift every session, so no single percentage guarantees a given grade.
Why do grade boundaries change every year?
Grade boundaries are not fixed targets. Cambridge International and Pearson Edexcel both use grade boundary setting, which happens after all scripts are marked. Examiners review paper difficulty, the cohort's performance, and historical data before confirming where each grade begins.
According to Cambridge International Education, boundaries reflect the standard of achievement required, not a predetermined distribution of results. A harder paper has lower percentage thresholds; an easier one needs higher raw marks for the same grade.
This is why two students sitting different subjects can both score 72% and receive different grades. It is also why last year's boundaries are useful for context but should never be treated as a guaranteed guide to this year's outcome.
How do the grading scales convert?
The Cambridge A* to G scale
Cambridge IGCSE uses a letter scale from A* (highest) to G (lowest), with U (ungraded) below. Most universities and schools treat C and above as a passing standard, though some programmes require B or A in core subjects.
The table below is a general guide to how raw-mark percentages have historically mapped to Cambridge grades. These are illustrative averages across subjects and sessions, not official Cambridge-published thresholds.
| Grade | Typical percentage range (approximate) | What it signals |
|---|---|---|
| A* | 90%+ (as low as 78% in hard papers) | Exceptional performance |
| A | 75% to 89% (varies by subject) | Strong, consistent command |
| B | 60% to 74% | Solid understanding with some gaps |
| C | 45% to 59% | Core competency demonstrated |
| D | 35% to 44% | Partial understanding |
| E | 25% to 34% | Limited but present knowledge |
| F / G | Below 25% | Minimal subject knowledge |
These ranges are drawn from published Cambridge boundary reports across multiple series. In Mathematics, an A* has historically required around 80 to 90%; in English Language, it has sometimes been as low as 75%. Always check the specific subject and session.
The Edexcel 9 to 1 scale
Pearson Edexcel uses a numerical 9 to 1 scale for its International GCSEs, mirroring the reformed GCSE system in England. The two scales are not a direct swap, but there are accepted equivalence points, shown below.
| Edexcel grade | Cambridge equivalent (approximate) | Common interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | A* (top) | Exceptional |
| 8 | A* (lower) to A | Excellent |
| 7 | A | Strong |
| 6 | B (upper) | Above average |
| 5 | B / C (lower) | Solid pass |
| 4 | C | Standard pass |
| 1 to 3 | D to G | Below pass to minimal |
For Edexcel, grade 4 is generally the minimum schools accept as a pass, and grade 5 is a strong pass. If your child targets A-Level study, most sixth forms require a 6 or 7 in relevant subjects.
How are IGCSE grades calculated?
The calculation has several steps, and understanding each helps you read mock results more accurately. First, raw marks from each exam component are totalled, then weighted according to the syllabus specification.
Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics 0580 (Extended), for example, weights Paper 2 at 35% and Paper 4 at 65%. There is no coursework; the grade comes entirely from the two written papers for that tier.
Once weighted totals are calculated across the cohort, the awarding body's grade boundary committee meets. They review statistical predictions, sample marked scripts, and the chief examiner's report on difficulty before setting each threshold. Final boundaries publish alongside results.
Our tutors regularly see students underestimate component weighting. A student who does well on one paper but neglects another can lose far more marks than they realise, even when their overall percentage looks reasonable on a mock.
Using grade boundaries and mocks
What do boundaries look like for 2026?
Cambridge publishes official grade boundaries after each series, usually within a few days of results. The May/June 2026 results are expected in August 2026, and the October/November 2025 boundaries are available earlier for students who sat that window.
You can find published boundary documents on the Cambridge Results Support website, organised by syllabus code and series. Each lists the minimum mark for every grade on each component, plus the overall combined threshold.
For planning now, use the May/June 2025 and 2024 boundaries as reference points. They are the most recent published data and give a realistic picture of where thresholds sit. The 2026 boundaries will not appear until after the series concludes.
How to use mock results against boundaries
Mock results are most useful mapped against the subject-specific boundaries from the most recent published series, not a generic percentage-to-grade table. Here is a practical process:
- Download the latest boundary document for your subject and syllabus code.
- Identify which component your mock paper mirrors.
- Convert your raw mark to a percentage of that component's maximum.
- Compare against the published component boundary, not the overall grade.
- Adjust your target by 3 to 5 marks to allow for session variation.
This gives a far more grounded sense of where you stand than a simple percentage-to-letter lookup. Students who take a boundary-aware approach from Year 10 set more realistic targets and spot weak components early.
The percentage-to-grade relationship also varies by subject. Mathematics and the sciences tend to have higher A* boundaries than humanities, partly because their papers are more structured and marking is less discretionary.
How Talimat Can Help
Talimat's tutors work across Cambridge IGCSE, Edexcel, AQA, and IB, helping students understand not just the content but the marks behind the marks. Knowing where boundaries sit, how components are weighted, and what examiners reward is core to good tutoring.
Every student is matched with a subject-specialist tutor, supported by a dedicated Academic Consultant, and given mock exams with structured feedback. Whether you are revising Mathematics or preparing for a November resit, tutoring is built around your syllabus and your gaps.
If you want to know exactly where your child stands against the 2026 grade boundaries and what it takes to close the gap, contact us and we will match them with the right tutor today.
Understanding grade boundaries is not just an admin exercise. It is one of the most direct ways to turn revision time into results.
Frequently Asked Questions
It maps raw marks or percentages to letter grades (A* to G) or numerical grades (9 to 1 for Edexcel). Use one by downloading the official boundary document for your subject and series, then comparing your raw mark against each grade's threshold.
Cambridge totals raw marks across each weighted component, then applies grade boundaries set after the series. A committee reviews paper difficulty, cohort performance, and historical data. The final threshold for each grade is published alongside results and varies by subject and series.
Neither is consistently harder. Both boards set boundaries by paper difficulty each session. An Edexcel grade 9 equates to a Cambridge A* at the top end, and a grade 4 equals a C. The percentage needed depends on the subject and cohort.
IGCSE tutoring costs in the UAE and Saudi Arabia vary by platform, tutor experience, and session frequency. Talimat offers live 1:1 sessions with degree-qualified tutors. Online tutoring is usually more flexible than in-person options. Contact Talimat directly for a personalised recommendation.
A C meets the minimum pass standard, but most schools and sixth forms require B or above in subjects you plan to study at A-Level. Competitive science, maths, or language programmes often ask for A or A*. Check your school's requirements early.
Yes. Cambridge IGCSE and Edexcel International GCSE are widely recognised by universities in the UK, US, Canada, and Australia. US universities consider IGCSEs alongside SAT or AP scores. UK universities assess them within the overall application, especially for subject-specific entry requirements.
About the author
Talimat Academic Team
Education Specialist
The Talimat Academic Team are subject specialists and exam board experts with extensive experience supporting IGCSE, A-Level, and IB students across the Gulf.
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