Question 1

What are Cambridge International A-Level Psychology grade thresholds?

Accepted Answer

Grade thresholds are the minimum weighted marks you need for each letter grade in Cambridge International A-Level Psychology (syllabus 9990). 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. The aim is that a grade represents the same standard whichever year you happened to sit the exam, even though the raw mark needed will vary between series.

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

Cambridge lets candidates sit different combinations of components (called 'options') for A-Level Psychology, 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.

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, not by you individually.

Question 3

When are the Cambridge International A-Level Psychology 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 (Psychology 9990 has its own document each series).

We update this page shortly after Cambridge releases the tables, so you can look up your total against the fresh thresholds and see what grade it would have earned. Cambridge also runs November and March series for some regions: those thresholds publish on their own timelines, separate from the main June release.

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. Our [past papers by year](https://cognito.org/courses/alevel/psychology/cie/past-papers/by-year) tab has every component and mark scheme in one place, so you can pick a series and get straight into it.

**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. That's more realistic than aiming at the highest recent year, in case the next paper is more difficult, and more ambitious than aiming at the lowest, in case it's more accessible.

Once you know where you're losing marks, our [Cambridge International A-Level Psychology course](https://cognito.org/courses/alevel/psychology/cie) covers the whole syllabus with revision notes, quizzes and flashcards organised by topic.

Question 5

Can I use Cognito for Cambridge International A-Level Psychology exam practice?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Our full [A-Level Psychology (Cambridge International) course](https://cognito.org/courses/alevel/psychology/cie) is free and covers the whole 9990 syllabus. You'll find revision notes written to the syllabus, self-marking quizzes and flashcards, and [past papers by year](https://cognito.org/courses/alevel/psychology/cie/past-papers/by-year) with the official mark schemes alongside.

A sensible order once you're deep into revision: work through a topic in the notes, test yourself with the quiz and flashcards, then move to past-paper practice under timed conditions in the final weeks before your exam.

Series	Max	Grade A*	Grade A	Grade B	Grade C	Grade D	Grade E
Jun 2025 (Option AX)Latest	240	150	134	118	102	86	70
Jun 2025 (Option AY)	240	166	147	128	110	92	74
Jun 2025 (Option AZ)	240	155	139	123	106	89	72
Jun 2024 (Option AX)	240	158	143	128	111	94	77
Jun 2024 (Option AY)	240	155	139	123	106	89	72
Jun 2024 (Option AZ)	240	160	144	128	111	94	77
Jun 2023 (Option AX)	240	167	148	129	110	92	74
Jun 2023 (Option AY)	240	162	143	124	106	88	70
Jun 2023 (Option AZ)	240	169	149	129	110	91	73
Jun 2022 (Option AX)	240	160	142	124	107	90	73
Jun 2022 (Option AY)	240	164	145	126	107	89	71
Jun 2022 (Option AZ)	240	163	145	127	108	90	72

A-Level Psychology Cambridge International Grade Boundaries

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