Mark to Percentage & Grade Calculator
Enter your marks obtained and the total marks available. Select your qualification type to get an estimated grade alongside your percentage.
Calculate Your Percentage and Grade
How to Calculate a Percentage from Exam Marks
The percentage formula is straightforward:
Common Examples
| Marks Obtained | Total Marks | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 72 | 90 | 80.0% |
| 54 | 80 | 67.5% |
| 48 | 100 | 48.0% |
| 35 | 120 | 29.2% |
| 90 | 120 | 75.0% |
| 63 | 90 | 70.0% |
The formula works regardless of the total mark scheme — whether your paper is out of 60, 80, 90, 100, or 120 marks.
GCSE Grade Percentage Boundaries (Approximate)
GCSE grade boundaries are not fixed percentages — they are set after each exam series by senior examiners. However, based on historical data, the following percentage ranges give a rough guide. Always verify with the official exam board boundaries published in August each year.
| GCSE Grade | Higher Tier (approx. %) | Foundation Tier (approx. %) | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 75–85%+ | N/A | Exceptional — top performers |
| 8 | 70–80% | N/A | Outstanding |
| 7 | 60–70% | N/A | Excellent (old grade A) |
| 6 | 55–65% | N/A | Very good |
| 5 | 50–60% | 75–85% | Strong pass (old high C / low B) |
| 4 | 40–50% | 60–72% | Standard pass (old grade C) |
| 3 | 30–40% | 45–60% | Below standard pass |
| 2 | 20–30% | 30–45% | Limited performance |
| 1 | 15–20% | 20–30% | Minimum grade |
A-Level Grade Percentage Boundaries (Approximate)
A-Level grades run from A* (highest) to E (lowest pass), with U being ungraded. Approximate percentage ranges are shown below. These vary by subject and exam board — maths and further maths boundaries tend to be lower, while humanities subjects tend to require higher percentages.
| A-Level Grade | Approx. Percentage | UCAS Points | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| A* | 80%+ overall, 90%+ A2 | 56 | Requires excellence in A2 units |
| A | 70–79% | 48 | Strong performance |
| B | 60–69% | 40 | Good performance |
| C | 50–59% | 32 | Satisfactory |
| D | 40–49% | 24 | Below average |
| E | 30–39% | 16 | Minimum pass |
| U | Below 30% | 0 | Ungraded — no UCAS points |
A-Level boundaries for individual subjects in recent years show significant variation. For example, the grade A boundary for A-Level Maths (AQA) in 2024 was approximately 56–62% of raw marks on some papers, while for A-Level English Literature the same grade required approximately 68–74%. Boundaries are set relative to the difficulty of each paper.
University Percentage to Degree Class
At UK universities, percentage marks directly correspond to degree classifications. Unlike GCSEs and A-Levels, these boundaries are fixed (with university-specific borderline policies):
| Degree Classification | Percentage Range | Postgraduate Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| First Class (1st) | 70% and above | Distinction |
| Upper Second (2:1) | 60–69% | Merit |
| Lower Second (2:2) | 50–59% | Pass |
| Third Class | 40–49% | — |
| Fail | Below 40% | Fail |
Primary School Assessment: Key Stage 2
At Key Stage 2 (Year 6 SATs), children in England are assessed using scaled scores rather than percentages. However, KS2 teacher assessments for writing and other subjects use three levels:
- Working towards the expected standard (WTS) — below expected level
- Expected standard (EXS) — meeting age-related expectations
- Greater depth (GDS) — exceeding expected standard
For KS2 SATs scaled scores: scores of 100 represent the expected standard, scores below 100 are below expected, and scores above 100 (up to 120) indicate above expected. A raw score of approximately 55–60% on KS2 SATs papers typically corresponds to the expected standard, though scaled score conversion tables are published by the DfE after each test series.
Percentages vs Grade Boundaries: An Important Distinction
It is important to understand that a percentage score and a grade boundary are related but not the same thing. A grade boundary is expressed as a raw mark (e.g., "Grade 5 boundary: 54 marks out of 90"). Converting that to a percentage gives 60%, but 60% is not inherently the grade 5 boundary — it is only so for that specific paper in that specific year.
If a paper is unusually hard, the grade 5 boundary might fall at 48 marks out of 90 (53.3%). If the paper is easier, it might be 58 marks (64.4%). Percentages are useful for quick comparison, but they must always be interpreted in the context of that paper's grade boundaries.
Mark Adjustments and Examiner Errors
In rare cases, exam boards identify errors in mark schemes or question papers after the exam. When this happens, they may adjust mark schemes, award compensation marks, or adjust grade boundaries to ensure students are not disadvantaged. This is known as a mark scheme amendment and is announced before results day.
If you believe your paper has been marked incorrectly, you can request a clerical check (ensure all marks have been added up correctly) or a full review of marking. Your school or college submits these requests on your behalf. Review of marking fees are refunded if the mark changes enough to affect your grade.
Percentage Needed to Improve a Grade
If you know the boundaries for your specific paper from a previous year, you can calculate what percentage increase you would need to move up a grade. For example, if grade 6 requires 54/90 (60%) and grade 7 requires 63/90 (70%), you need a 10 percentage point improvement — or an additional 9 raw marks — to move from grade 6 to grade 7.