Question 1

What are Cambridge International A-Level History grade thresholds?

Accepted Answer

Grade thresholds are the minimum weighted marks you need for each letter grade in Cambridge International A-Level History (syllabus 9489). Cambridge calls them 'thresholds' rather than 'boundaries', but the idea is the same: they mark the cut-off for each grade after weighting. Cambridge sets them once marking is complete for the whole cohort: senior examiners review evidence from the exam series, compare performance with previous years, and recommend where each threshold should sit.

The thresholds move a little from year to year, because every paper is a slightly different test. If a paper turns out more difficult than usual, the thresholds come down. If it's more accessible, they nudge up.

Question 2

Why are there separate tables (AX / AY / AZ)?

Accepted Answer

Cambridge lets candidates sit different combinations of components for A-Level History, so each combination has its own set of grade thresholds. The three main A-Level combinations differ by which specific variant of each component your centre entered you for (typically the first, second, or third variant, tied to time zone or region).

Check which components your centre entered you for on your statement of entry, then use the matching tab above. If you're not sure, ask your teacher: the combination is set by your school.

Question 3

When are the Cambridge International A-Level History thresholds published?

Accepted Answer

Cambridge International normally publishes grade threshold tables per syllabus within a few days of the A-Level results release each August. They land on Cambridge's grade threshold tables page as one PDF per syllabus (History 9489 has its own document each series).

We update this page shortly after Cambridge releases the tables. Cambridge also runs November and March series for some regions: those thresholds publish on their own timelines.

Question 4

How should I use these thresholds when I'm revising?

Accepted Answer

There are two ways worth building into your routine.

**Score your past papers realistically.** Sit a paper timed, mark it against the official mark scheme, and if you've completed a full set of components for your option, add up your marks with the correct weighting and compare the total against that year's threshold in the table above. That's the grade it would have earned in that series, and exactly how many marks you were short of the next one.

**Set your target using an average.** A practical target is to aim around the average of the last few years' thresholds for your option and the grade you're going for.

Our [A-Level History (Cambridge International) past papers](https://cognito.org/courses/alevel/history/cie/past-papers/by-year) has every component and mark scheme in one place.

Question 5

Does Cognito have Cambridge International A-Level History past papers?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Our [A-Level History (Cambridge International) past papers](https://cognito.org/courses/alevel/history/cie/past-papers/by-year) collection is free and has every published component and mark scheme in one place, so you can sit them under timed conditions and mark against the official scheme.

For past-paper revision, we'd suggest working through by-topic questions in the run-up to your mocks, then saving two or three full timed component sets for the last few weeks before your exam.

Series	Max	Grade A*	Grade A	Grade B	Grade C	Grade D	Grade E
Jun 2025 (Option AX)Latest	200	148	132	116	102	88	74
Jun 2025 (Option AY)	200	149	132	115	100	86	72
Jun 2025 (Option AZ)	200	150	133	116	101	86	72
Jun 2024 (Option AX)	200	151	134	117	102	87	73
Jun 2024 (Option AY)	200	153	135	117	102	87	73
Jun 2024 (Option AZ)	200	153	135	117	102	87	73
Jun 2023 (Option AX)	200	149	133	117	102	87	73
Jun 2023 (Option AY)	200	152	133	114	99	84	70
Jun 2023 (Option AZ)	200	152	133	114	99	84	70
Jun 2022 (Option AX)	200	145	128	111	96	82	68
Jun 2022 (Option AY)	200	145	127	109	94	80	66
Jun 2022 (Option AZ)	200	145	127	109	94	80	66

A-Level History Cambridge International Grade Boundaries

Frequently asked questions

Push it up a grade

Every series since 2022

Where to next

Frequently asked questions

Push it up a grade