Question 1

What are Cambridge International A-Level Sociology grade thresholds?

Accepted Answer

Grade thresholds are the minimum weighted marks you need for each letter grade in Cambridge International A-Level Sociology (syllabus 9699). 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 Sociology, 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 Sociology 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 (Sociology 9699 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 Sociology (Cambridge International) past papers](https://cognito.org/courses/alevel/sociology/cie/past-papers/by-year) has every component and mark scheme in one place.

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

Yes! Our [A-Level Sociology (Cambridge International) past papers](https://cognito.org/courses/alevel/sociology/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 2026 (Option AX)Latest	240	175	159	143	126	109	93
Jun 2026 (Option AY)	240	175	159	143	126	110	94
Jun 2026 (Option AZ)	240	178	162	146	129	113	97
Jun 2025 (Option AX)	240	179	164	149	129	109	89
Jun 2025 (Option AY)	240	179	164	149	130	111	93
Jun 2025 (Option AZ)	240	179	164	149	130	111	93
Jun 2024 (Option AX)	240	171	160	149	129	110	91
Jun 2024 (Option AY)	240	175	160	145	126	107	88
Jun 2024 (Option AZ)	240	174	160	146	127	108	89
Jun 2023 (Option AX)	240	175	163	151	132	113	94
Jun 2023 (Option AY)	240	175	159	143	124	105	87
Jun 2023 (Option AZ)	240	172	159	146	127	108	89
Jun 2022 (Option AX)	240	176	160	144	125	107	89
Jun 2022 (Option AY)	240	174	156	138	120	102	84
Jun 2022 (Option AZ)	240	172	155	138	120	102	84

A-Level Sociology Cambridge International Grade Boundaries

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