Wondering what percentage you need to pass A Level Philosophy?

Many students—and parents—want to know what mark will get them that all-important “E” grade or higher.

How Are A Level Philosophy Grades Set?

A Level Philosophy, like all A Levels, is graded from A* to E.

To pass, you must achieve at least an E grade.

The actual percentage required to pass can vary each year and depends on grade boundaries set by the exam board.

Typical Pass Marks for A Level Philosophy

As a general rule, the pass mark (grade E) is usually set between 40% and 45% of the total available marks.

This can vary depending on the difficulty of the papers each year and the performance of students nationally.

Exam boards adjust grade boundaries after exams are marked to ensure fairness.

See the latest AQA grade boundaries for A Levels

What Are Grade Boundaries?

Grade boundaries show the minimum mark needed for each grade.

For example, if the boundary for an E is set at 42%, then scoring 42% or higher will earn you a pass.

These are published each year by the exam boards and can change slightly from year to year.

How are A Levels graded?

Frequently Asked Questions

Do universities care about my percentage or my grade?

Universities are interested in your final grade, not the exact percentage you achieved.

Are grade boundaries the same for every exam board?

No—boundaries are set by each exam board and are reviewed annually after marking to reflect national standards.

Can grade boundaries change?

Yes—grade boundaries are adjusted each summer to fairly reflect paper difficulty and cohort performance.

Ready to Plan Your A Level Philosophy Success?