A-Level English General Paper grade boundaries — June 2023

Cambridge International AS & A Level (8021). Minimum weighted marks for each grade in the June 2023 series, by paper combination. Find the row matching the papers you sat.

Compared with June 2022, the A boundary for Papers 50 rose by 3 marks (51 → 54) and the E boundary rose by 3 marks (15 → 18).

AS Level options — June 2023

Papers Max ABCDE
Papers 50 75 5472% 4560% 3648% 2736% 1824%
Papers 11, 21 100 6565% 5858% 5252% 4646% 4040%
Papers 12, 22 100 6969% 6262% 5657% 5050% 4444%
Papers 13, 23 100 6565% 5858% 5252% 4646% 4040%

Marks are minimum weighted totals; percentages are rounded up. Anything below the E threshold is ungraded (U).

Paper (component) thresholds — June 2023

The minimum raw mark on each individual paper. Cambridge weights and adds these to set the syllabus boundaries above; there is no A* at paper level.

Paper Max ABCDE
Paper 11 30 2274% 1964% 1757% 1550% 1344%
Paper 12 30 2274% 1964% 1757% 1550% 1344%
Paper 13 30 2274% 1964% 1757% 1550% 1344%
Paper 21 50 2857% 2652% 2448% 2142% 1836%
Paper 22 50 3264% 3060% 2857% 2550% 2244%
Paper 23 50 2857% 2652% 2448% 2142% 1836%
Paper 50 75 5472% 4560% 3648% 2736% 1824%

June 2023 vs June 2022

Change in the minimum mark for matching paper routes (same series, one year earlier). Positive = harder to reach the grade.

Papers ABCDE
Papers 50 +3 51→54 +3 42→45 +3 33→36 +3 24→27 +3 15→18
Papers 11, 21 +4 61→65 +4 54→58 +5 47→52 +6 40→46 +7 33→40

English General Paper grade boundaries June 2022 → · All sessions since March 2022 →

Frequently asked

What was the A boundary for English General Paper in June 2023?
For Papers 50, an A needed 54 out of 75 weighted marks (72%). Other paper combinations have their own thresholds — see the table above.
What mark was a pass (grade E) in English General Paper June 2023?
Grade E is the lowest pass. For Papers 50 it needed 18/75 (24%). Below that the result is U (ungraded).
Why are the paper thresholds different from the overall boundaries?
Cambridge sets a threshold for each paper (component) first, then weights and adds them to get the syllabus boundary for each combination of papers. Your grade comes from the weighted total, not from any single paper. Paper thresholds have no A* — the A* only exists at syllabus level.
Did English General Paper grade boundaries go up or down in June 2023?
Compared with June 2022, the A boundary for Papers 50 rose by 3 marks (51 → 54) and the E boundary rose by 3 marks (15 → 18). Boundaries move to keep the standard constant when a paper turns out harder or easier than usual.

Calculate your English General Paper grade → Percentage needed for each grade

← March 2023 · November 2023 →

Official source (PDF) →

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