A-Level Biology Marks per Grade: 2025 Thresholds
A-level Biology marks per grade for AQA, Edexcel, OCR and Eduqas. Check the latest raw marks and understand grade thresholds before results day.
Results day can make a single mark feel unusually important. You may know how each paper went, yet still be asking the question that matters most: what grade will the total produce?
The latest confirmed A-level Biology marks per grade are the June 2025 boundaries shown below. These are whole-qualification raw mark thresholds for AQA, Edexcel, OCR and Eduqas. The exact 2026 boundaries cannot be known before marking is nearly complete and exam boards publish them around results day.
A-level Biology marks per grade at a glance
Use this checklist before reading the table:
- Find your exam board and specification, not merely the word Biology.
- Add the raw marks from all relevant written papers.
- Compare the total with the whole-qualification boundary.
- Remember that each boundary is the minimum mark for that grade.
- Do not treat 2025 thresholds as guaranteed predictions for 2026.
| Exam board and specification | Maximum raw mark | A∗A^*A∗ | AAA | BBB | CCC | DDD | EEE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AQA Biology 740274027402 | 260260260 | 192192192 | 165165165 | 139139139 | 113113113 | 888888 | 636363 |
| Edexcel Biology A 9BN09BN09BN0 | 300300300 | 225225225 | 200200200 | 173173173 | 146146146 | 119119119 | 929292 |
| Edexcel Biology B 9BI09BI09BI0 | 300300300 | 217217217 | 188188188 | 160160160 | 132132132 | 105105105 | 787878 |
| OCR Biology A H420H420H420 | 270270270 | 187187187 | 161161161 | 137137137 | 113113113 | 909090 | 676767 |
| OCR Biology B H422H422H422 | 270270270 | 186186186 | 167167167 | 148148148 | 129129129 | 110110110 | 919191 |
| Eduqas Biology A400QSA400QSA400QS | 300300300 | 230230230 | 203203203 | 172172172 | 142142142 | 112112112 | 828282 |
These figures were checked against the official June 2025 exam-board boundary documents. You can also explore the complete A Level grade boundaries collection on MathsGenie.
A student asks a microscope when Biology boundaries will be known
What do A-level Biology raw marks mean?
A raw mark is the mark actually awarded for your answers. If a question is worth 666 marks and the examiner awards 444, your raw mark for that question is 444.
Your marks across the relevant papers are combined to create a qualification total. That total is compared with the overall A-level Biology grade thresholds. A boundary is inclusive: reaching it is enough for that grade. Falling one mark below places the result in the grade beneath it, unless a review changes the mark.
The practical endorsement is reported separately from the A-level grade and does not add marks to the totals in this table.
For board-specific historical figures, visit the pages for AQA A Level Biology grade boundaries, Edexcel A Level grade boundaries, OCR A Level Biology grade boundaries and Eduqas A Level Biology grade boundaries.
Why Biology grade thresholds change
Grade boundaries are not permanent percentages. Exam boards set them after marking is nearly complete, using evidence about how demanding that year's papers were and the standard of work produced.
If a paper proves more difficult, a boundary may move down. If it proves less difficult, the boundary may move up. A higher boundary does not automatically mean that achieving the grade became harder; it can indicate that students generally found the assessment more accessible.
This is why converting a mock score using one historical year gives an estimate, not a promise. Comparing several years is more informative than choosing whichever boundary feels most comforting.
A student stacks individual exam marks while a cartoon cell encourages patience
How to use the thresholds sensibly
Before results day, use boundaries as planning information. Complete timed papers, mark them strictly and record the raw totals. Look for a consistent range across several assessments rather than letting one unusually strong or weak paper define your expectation.
After results day, compare the total on your results information with the correct specification boundary. If you are close to the next grade, speak to your school or college about accessing scripts or requesting a review of marking. A review can cause a mark to rise, stay unchanged or fall, so professional advice matters.
Students also taking A Level Maths can build the same disciplined routine through MathsGenie’s free A Level Maths revision, including topic questions, solutions and exam practice.
Common mistakes when checking Biology boundaries
Using the wrong specification
Edexcel Biology A and Biology B have different thresholds. OCR Biology A and OCR Biology B do too. Check the specification code on your timetable or results documents.
Comparing percentages instead of raw totals
The maximum marks differ between boards. A raw score from AQA cannot be compared directly with a score from Eduqas without considering each qualification total.
Adding notional paper grades
Component boundaries describe performance on individual papers, but your final result normally depends on the combined qualification mark. Do not average paper letters to invent an overall grade.
Assuming last year's boundary will repeat
Historical thresholds are useful reference points, not advance confirmation. Exact boundaries belong to a particular exam series.
The mark is information, not the whole story
A boundary turns a collection of answers into a letter, but the useful lesson comes earlier: careful practice makes marks less mysterious. Check the latest MathsGenie Biology grade boundaries, then carry the same method into your revision -- complete past papers, use mark schemes honestly and focus practice questions on the areas costing you marks.
For maths revision alongside Biology, start with MathsGenie for free revision lessons, past papers, predicted papers, mini tests, practice questions and video solutions. The goal is not to guess a boundary perfectly. It is to arrive with enough marks that small movements no longer control the outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the latest confirmed A-level Biology grade boundaries?
The latest confirmed complete set is from June 2025. For example, an A∗A^*A∗ required 192192192 out of 260260260 for AQA, while Edexcel Biology A required 225225225 out of 300300300. The required mark depends on the board and specification.
Are A-level Biology grade boundaries the same every year?
No. Exam boards set boundaries after marking is nearly complete, allowing for differences in paper demand while maintaining comparable grading standards between years.
Is a raw mark the same as a percentage?
No. A raw mark is the number of marks awarded. Its percentage is calculated against the maximum available, but grades are assigned using the published whole-qualification thresholds.
Do practical endorsement marks count towards the Biology grade?
No. The practical endorsement is reported separately as a pass or not classified and does not contribute raw marks to the final A-level Biology grade.
What should I do if my Biology result is one mark below the next grade?
Speak to your school or college about accessing the script or requesting a review of marking. Reviews can raise, confirm or lower marks, so consider the risks and any deadlines before proceeding.