IGCSE English (First Language) 0500 grade boundaries — March 2026

Cambridge IGCSE (CAIE) (0500). The official grade thresholds for the March 2026 series — the minimum raw mark needed for each grade, by tier and paper combination. Pick the option matching the papers you sat.

Cambridge publishes these as grade threshold tables: "grade thresholds" and "grade boundaries" are two names for the same numbers.

March 2026 at a glance

A A* in English (First Language) required 122/160 (77%) on extended · papers 03, 12.
That A* threshold is 3 marks lower than November 2025 — slightly easier to achieve.
Across paper variants, the A* boundary ranged from 118 to 122 marks — variant choice mattered this session.
A grade C needed roughly 52% on extended · papers 03, 12.

Extended · Papers 03, 12

Grade	Min mark	Min %
A*	122	77%
A	109	69%
B	96	60%
C	83	52%
D	69	44%
E	55	35%
F	40	25%
G	25	16%

Maximum mark: 160.

Extended · Papers 12, 22

Grade	Min mark	Min %
A*	118	74%
A	106	67%
B	94	59%
C	83	52%
D	69	44%
E	55	35%
F	40	25%
G	25	16%

Maximum mark: 160.

Extended · Papers 12, 73

Grade	Min mark	Min %
A*	122	77%
A	109	69%
B	96	60%
C	83	52%
D	69	44%
E	55	35%
F	40	25%
G	25	16%

Maximum mark: 160.

Extended · Papers 12, 83

Grade	Min mark	Min %
A*	122	77%
A	109	69%
B	96	60%
C	83	52%
D	69	44%
E	55	35%
F	40	25%
G	25	16%

Maximum mark: 160.

Extended · Papers 12, 93

Grade	Min mark	Min %
A*	122	77%
A	109	69%
B	96	60%
C	83	52%
D	69	44%
E	55	35%
F	40	25%
G	25	16%

Maximum mark: 160.

Calculate your English (First Language) grade →

Official source (PDF) →

Figures sourced from the official Cambridge grade threshold tables. Always confirm with your exam board.