Question 1

What are SQA National 5 Physics grade boundaries?

Accepted Answer

Grade boundaries are the minimum raw marks you need for each grade (A, B, C, D) in SQA National 5 Physics (course code C857 75). SQA sets them once marking is complete for the whole cohort, based on how the papers scored and evidence from previous years.

Grades below D are recorded as 'No Award' with no letter grade. Grade C is the minimum pass mark that counts on your Scottish Qualification Certificate.

Question 2

How does SQA set National 5 boundaries?

Accepted Answer

SQA publishes only the Grade A and Grade C boundaries directly. Grades B and D are calculated by formula: B is the midpoint between A and C, and D sits the same distance below C as B sits above it. This is why B and D always sit at even spacings in the published tables.

Question 3

Why do the 2023 boundaries look unusually low?

Accepted Answer

SQA applied a 'sensitive' approach to the 2023 series to soften the transition out of the pandemic-adjusted grading of 2020-2022. This pulled boundaries down that year so that a slightly weaker cohort performance still delivered similar grade distributions. SQA has advised that 2023 boundaries should not be used as a benchmark for what you need to score in future series.

Question 4

When are SQA National 5 Physics boundaries published?

Accepted Answer

SQA publishes National 5 grade boundaries on Scottish results day in early August, a week or two before the English GCSE results day. They land as one large PDF covering every National 5 subject that series.

We update this page shortly after SQA releases the boundaries.

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

Sit a past paper timed, mark it against the official SQA marking instructions, and check your total against the Grade A / C boundary for that year. The gap between your score and the A boundary tells you how much room you have to improve.

If you're consistently 10+ marks short of your target, work through a [Cognito National 5 Physics course](https://cognito.org/courses/gcse/physics/sqa) to plug the specific gaps.

Question 6

Can I use Cognito for SQA National 5 Physics practice?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our [National 5 Physics course](https://cognito.org/courses/gcse/physics/sqa) is mapped to the SQA National 5 course specification with notes, quizzes and past papers. Work through the specification, then time yourself on the [past-papers library](https://cognito.org/past-papers) closer to your exam.

Series	Max	Grade A	Grade B	Grade C	Grade D
Jun 2026Latest	125	83	68	54	39
Jun 2025	125	84	70	56	42
Jun 2024	125	86	73	60	47
Jun 2023	100	65	52	40	27

GCSE Physics SQA National 5 Grade Boundaries

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