GCSE Maths AQA vs CCEA Grade Boundaries

Results day turns months of work into one small line on a screen or sheet of paper. The temptation is to search for a boundary immediately, compare it with somebody else's and decide what the result means. But a GCSE maths AQA vs CCEA grade boundaries comparison requires care: AQA and CCEA use different grading scales, assessment structures and methods of reporting marks.

The short answer is that AQA awards grades $9$ to $1$ from a total raw mark across three papers. CCEA uses letter grades from $ext{A}^{\ast }$ to $extG$, including $ext{C}^{\ast }$, and converts raw unit marks to a Uniform Mark Scale, or UMS. Their boundary numbers therefore cannot be compared directly.

Results day comparison checklist

Before interpreting any boundary, check:

• your exam board and exact specification;
• your AQA tier or CCEA unit combination;
• the correct examination series;
• whether the number is a raw mark or uniform mark;
• the maximum mark available;
• whether you are viewing a unit boundary or an overall qualification boundary.

You can find current and historical information through the Maths Genie GCSE grade boundaries hub, including the dedicated AQA GCSE grade boundaries page.

A student choosing between AQA and CCEA results-day signposts

AQA vs CCEA grade boundaries at a glance

AQA has three $80$-mark papers: one non-calculator paper and two calculator papers. Together they give

$$80+80+80=240.$$

CCEA Mathematics is unitised. Students take one unit from M1--M4, worth $45\%$, and a corresponding completion test from M5--M8, worth $55\%$. The CCEA GCSE Maths revision hub helps students match revision to that structure.

Latest AQA grade boundaries for comparison

For the June 2025 series, the confirmed AQA GCSE Maths subject boundaries were:

These are whole-qualification boundaries, not targets for each individual paper. Although AQA publishes notional paper boundaries, the final maths grade is based on the combined total. Explore earlier series and both tiers on the AQA Maths grade boundary calculator.

How CCEA grade boundaries work

CCEA's raw boundaries are set separately for each unit and can move when the demand of a paper changes. Those raw marks are then converted to uniform marks so results from different units and series can be combined fairly.

The stable overall UMS thresholds out of $400$ are:

The $A^{\ast }$ boundary is established separately at subject level for each series. Available grades also depend on the unit combination: M1/M5, M2/M6, M3/M7 or M4/M8. That is why a CCEA raw score should never be placed beside an AQA raw score as though both measure the same thing.

Two students discover that different exam systems need different measuring tools

What the comparison means on GCSE maths results day

AQA grade boundaries answer: “What combined raw mark was needed for each numerical grade in this series?” CCEA grade boundaries answer two linked questions: “How did this unit's raw mark convert to UMS?” and “What overall grade did the aggregated UMS produce?”

If a result is close to a boundary, ask your school for the component or unit marks before making assumptions. Teachers and examinations officers can explain the available post-results options and relevant deadlines.

For future preparation, use papers from your own board. Maths Genie provides AQA GCSE Maths past papers and CCEA GCSE Maths past papers, alongside mark schemes and worked solutions where available.

Common mistakes when comparing AQA and CCEA

Treating percentages as equivalent grades

The same percentage does not automatically produce an equivalent grade across boards or series. Boundaries reflect the assessment and grading system used.

Comparing raw marks with UMS

An AQA total is a raw mark out of $240$. A CCEA overall result is aggregated on a $400$-UMS scale. They are different kinds of number.

Ignoring tiers and unit routes

An AQA Foundation result has a different available grade range from Higher. With CCEA, the selected unit combination controls which final grades are available.

Using last year's boundary as a promise

Historical boundaries are useful for interpreting past papers, not predicting an exact future requirement. Raw boundaries can move after awarding has taken place.

The useful takeaway

Grade boundaries are a measuring tool, not a revision strategy. The best preparation is still to learn the content, complete correctly matched papers and study where marks were lost.

Start with AQA GCSE Maths revision or CCEA GCSE Maths revision, then organise weak topics with the Maths Genie revision planner. Use revision lessons, practice questions, mini tests, past papers, predicted papers, mark schemes and video solutions to turn each missed mark into a clear next step.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can AQA and CCEA GCSE Maths grade boundaries be compared directly?

No. AQA uses combined raw marks out of $240$ and grades $9$ to $1$. CCEA converts unit marks to UMS out of $400$ and awards letter grades, so the numbers are not directly equivalent.

What were the AQA GCSE Maths grade $4$ boundaries in June 2025?

The June 2025 grade $4$ boundaries were $63$ out of $240$ for Higher tier and $160$ out of $240$ for Foundation tier.

Do CCEA Maths grade boundaries change each year?

Raw unit boundaries can change between series. Most overall CCEA subject-level UMS thresholds remain fixed, while the $A^{\ast }$ threshold is established separately for each series.

Does CCEA GCSE Maths use grades $9$ to $1$?

No. CCEA GCSE Mathematics uses letter grades from $A^{\ast }$ to $G$ and includes the Northern Ireland grade $C^{\ast }$.

Where can I check Maths grade boundaries on results day?

Use the Maths Genie grade boundaries hub and select the correct board, subject, tier and examination series before interpreting your mark.