Standards

Awarding, which is setting the standard for an exam by determining the grade boundaries for each paper, is a crucial part of the exam process.

By grade boundary we mean the minimum mark you need to get a certain grade: for example, you might need a mark of at least 114 out of 180 for a grade C in a certain GCSE.

• Find out more about how grades are awarded
• Setting the standard: how we maintain standards over time

A detailed explanation of standard setting, intended for teachers and those with a reasonable understanding of the exam system and the terminology used, is also available in this guide:

A basic guide to standard setting