IGCSE English - Second Language (0510) Grade Thresholds

The minimum marks Cambridge set for each grade in 18 IGCSE English - Second Language sessions from 2020 to 2026, taken from Cambridge's grade threshold table for each session. Every table is linked, so you can check any number against the source: from March 2022 the links go to Cambridge's own PDFs; for 2020 and 2021, which Cambridge no longer lists, to copies of the same tables.

Latest: June 2026

An A* needed 141 to 143 out of 150 (94% to 95%), depending on the option. A grade C needed 111 to 119 out of 150 (74% to 79%).

Where each grade starts on one option: components 11, 21, out of 150. Across all 11 options in June 2026, an A* needed 141 to 143.

Source: Cambridge grade threshold table, June 2026 (PDF) · June 2026 papers

How the A* threshold has moved

The mark needed for an A*, as a percentage of the maximum, in each session in our files. Where options differed, the bar runs from the lowest to the highest. Core options, which do not award an A*, are not included.

M = March, J = June, N = November. Sessions with no grade threshold table in our files are left out. Every number is in the table below.

A* and C thresholds by session

Session	A*	C	Source
June 2026	141 to 143 out of 150 (94% to 95%)	111 to 119 out of 150 (74% to 79%)	Cambridge (PDF)
March 2026	141 out of 150 (94%)	111 out of 150 (74%)	Cambridge (PDF)
November 2025	143 out of 150 (95%)	118 to 121 out of 150 (79% to 81%)	Cambridge (PDF)
June 2025	142 out of 150 (95%)	108 to 116 out of 150 (72% to 77%)	Cambridge (PDF)
March 2025	140 out of 150 (93%)	109 out of 150 (73%)	Cambridge (PDF)
November 2024	142 to 143 out of 150 (95%)	116 to 121 out of 150 (77% to 81%)	Cambridge (PDF)
June 2024	141 to 143 out of 150 (94% to 95%)	109 to 117 out of 150 (73% to 78%)	Cambridge (PDF)
March 2024	140 out of 150 (93%)	109 out of 150 (73%)	Cambridge (PDF)
November 2023	185 to 187 out of 200 (93% to 94%)	Core: 154 to 156 out of 200 (77% to 78%) Extended: 148 to 152 out of 200 (74% to 76%)	Cambridge (PDF)
June 2023	185 to 186 out of 200 (93%)	Core: 145 to 154 out of 200 (73% to 77%) Extended: 135 to 137 out of 200 (68% to 69%)	Cambridge (PDF)
March 2023	177 out of 200 (89%)	Core: 131 out of 200 (66%) Extended: 136 out of 200 (68%)	Cambridge (PDF)
November 2022	181 to 187 out of 200 (91% to 94%)	Core: 154 out of 200 (77%) Extended: 148 out of 200 (74%)	Cambridge (PDF)
June 2022	182 to 184 out of 200 (91% to 92%)	Core: 141 to 145 out of 200 (71% to 73%) Extended: 128 to 130 out of 200 (64% to 65%)	Cambridge (PDF)
March 2022	173 out of 200 (87%)	Core: 127 out of 200 (64%) Extended: 128 out of 200 (64%)	Cambridge (PDF)
November 2021	176 to 183 out of 200 (88% to 92%)	Core: 132 to 150 out of 200 (66% to 75%) Extended: 143 to 145 out of 200 (72% to 73%)	Copy (PDF)
June 2021	174 to 181 out of 200 (87% to 91%)	Core: 125 to 129 out of 200 (63% to 65%) Extended: 118 to 123 out of 200 (59% to 62%)	Copy (PDF)
March 2021	169 out of 200 (85%)	Core: 131 out of 200 (66%) Extended: 122 out of 200 (61%)	Copy (PDF)
November 2020	177 to 187 out of 200 (89% to 94%)	Core: 143 to 152 out of 200 (72% to 76%) Extended: 142 to 145 out of 200 (71% to 73%)	Copy (PDF)

No grade threshold table in our files for: March 2020, May/June 2020.

How to read these tables

Your grade comes from your total mark across the papers you sat, after Cambridge's weighting. Each option is one combination of papers, written as component codes: for most components the first digit is the paper and the second is the variant, so 12 is Paper 1, Variant 2 (a few, mostly in the English tables, use other codes). Schools in different administrative zones sit different variants, which is why one session has several rows. Use the row with your components; your exams officer can tell you which ones you were entered for.

Cambridge sets the thresholds after marking, aiming to keep each grade as hard to reach as it was the year before, so they move from session to session.

A dash means that grade is not available on that option (for example, Core options go no higher than C).

From 2026 Cambridge's tables list each combination of components without an option code, so the Option column shows a dash for those sessions.

Cambridge's tables also list a 90-mark option made only of component 50 (with component 60 in some English tables). It is not one of the 0510 papers in the syllabus, so it is left out here. The linked PDF always has the full table.

Every session's thresholds

June 2026: 11 options

Option	Components	Out of	A*	A	B	C	D	E	F	G
–	11, 21	150	143	137	128	119	105	91	77	64
–	11, 21, 31	150	143	137	128	119	105	91	77	64
–	11, 21, 81	150	143	137	128	119	105	91	77	64
–	11, 21, 91	150	143	137	128	119	105	91	77	64
–	12, 22	150	143	136	123	111	99	87	75	63
–	12, 22, 32	150	143	136	123	111	99	87	75	63
–	12, 22, 82	150	143	136	123	111	99	87	75	63
–	12, 22, 92	150	143	136	123	111	99	87	75	63
–	13, 23, 33	150	141	132	122	113	100	87	75	63
–	13, 23, 83	150	141	132	122	113	100	87	75	63
–	13, 23, 93	150	141	132	122	113	100	87	75	63

Source: Cambridge grade threshold table, June 2026 (PDF) · June 2026 papers and mark schemes

March 2026: 7 options

Option	Components	Out of	A*	A	B	C	D	E	F	G
–	12, 22	150	141	132	121	111	99	88	77	66
–	12, 22, 32	150	141	132	121	111	99	88	77	66
–	12, 22, 72	150	141	132	121	111	99	88	77	66
–	12, 22, 81	150	141	132	121	111	99	88	77	66
–	12, 22, 82	150	141	132	121	111	99	88	77	66
–	12, 22, 91	150	141	132	121	111	99	88	77	66
–	12, 22, 92	150	141	132	121	111	99	88	77	66

Source: Cambridge grade threshold table, March 2026 (PDF) · March 2026 papers and mark schemes

November 2025: 9 options

Option	Components	Out of	A*	A	B	C	D	E	F	G
AX	11, 21, 31	150	143	137	129	121	108	96	82	68
AY	12, 22, 32	150	143	137	127	118	105	92	79	66
AZ	13, 23, 33	150	143	137	127	118	105	92	79	66
BX	11, 21, 81	150	143	137	129	121	108	96	82	68
BY	12, 22, 82	150	143	137	127	118	105	92	79	66
CX	11, 21, 91	150	143	137	129	121	108	96	82	68
CY	12, 22, 92	150	143	137	127	118	105	92	79	66
EV	12, 22, 72	150	143	137	127	118	105	92	79	66
LB	12, 22	150	143	137	127	118	105	92	79	66

Source: Cambridge grade threshold table, November 2025 (PDF) · November 2025 papers and mark schemes

June 2025: 9 options

Option	Components	Out of	A*	A	B	C	D	E	F	G
AX	11, 21, 31	150	142	135	125	116	103	91	79	66
AY	12, 22, 32	150	142	135	121	108	96	85	75	65
AZ	13, 23, 33	150	142	135	125	116	103	91	79	66
BX	11, 21, 81	150	142	135	125	116	103	91	79	66
BY	12, 22, 82	150	142	135	121	108	96	85	75	65
CX	11, 21, 91	150	142	135	125	116	103	91	79	66
CY	12, 22, 92	150	142	135	121	108	96	85	75	65
LA	11, 21	150	142	135	125	116	103	91	79	66
LB	12, 22	150	142	135	121	108	96	85	75	65

Source: Cambridge grade threshold table, June 2025 (PDF) · June 2025 papers and mark schemes

March 2025: 3 options

Option	Components	Out of	A*	A	B	C	D	E	F	G
AY	12, 22, 32	150	140	130	119	109	98	87	75	63
CY	12, 22, 92	150	140	130	119	109	98	87	75	63
EV	12, 22, 72	150	140	130	119	109	98	87	75	63

Source: Cambridge grade threshold table, March 2025 (PDF) · March 2025 papers and mark schemes

November 2024: 10 options

Option	Components	Out of	A*	A	B	C	D	E	F	G
AX	11, 21, 31	150	143	137	129	121	109	97	86	75
AY	12, 22, 32	150	142	135	125	116	104	92	81	70
AZ	13, 23, 33	150	142	135	125	116	104	92	81	70
B1	11, 21, 81	150	143	137	129	121	109	97	86	75
B2	12, 22, 82	150	142	135	125	116	104	92	81	70
CX	11, 21, 91	150	143	137	129	121	109	97	86	75
CY	12, 22, 92	150	142	135	125	116	104	92	81	70
EV	12, 22, 72	150	142	135	125	116	104	92	81	70
LA	11, 21	150	143	137	129	121	109	97	86	75
LB	12, 22	150	142	135	125	116	104	92	81	70

Source: Cambridge grade threshold table, November 2024 (PDF) · November 2024 papers and mark schemes

June 2024: 7 options

Option	Components	Out of	A*	A	B	C	D	E	F	G
AX	11, 21, 31	150	143	137	127	117	104	92	80	68
AY	12, 22, 32	150	141	136	122	109	96	84	74	64
AZ	13, 23, 33	150	143	137	127	117	104	92	80	68
BX	11, 21, 81/91	150	143	137	127	117	104	92	80	68
BY	12, 22, 82/92	150	141	136	122	109	96	84	74	64
LA	11, 21	150	143	137	127	117	104	92	80	68
LB	12, 22	150	141	136	122	109	96	84	74	64

Source: Cambridge grade threshold table, June 2024 (PDF) · June 2024 papers and mark schemes

March 2024: 2 options

Option	Components	Out of	A*	A	B	C	D	E	F	G
AY	12, 22, 32	150	140	130	119	109	98	87	75	63
BV	12, 22, 82/92/72	150	140	130	119	109	98	87	75	63

Source: Cambridge grade threshold table, March 2024 (PDF) · March 2024 papers and mark schemes

November 2023: 19 options

Option	Components	Out of	A*	A	B	C	D	E	F	G
AX	11, 31, 51	200	–	–	–	156	140	125	107	89
AY	12, 32, 52	200	–	–	–	154	138	123	107	91
AZ	13, 33, 53	200	–	–	–	154	138	123	107	91
BX	11, 31, 81	200	–	–	–	156	140	125	107	89
BY	12, 32, 82	200	–	–	–	154	138	123	107	91
CX	11, 31, 91	200	–	–	–	156	140	125	107	89
CY	12, 32, 92	200	–	–	–	154	138	123	107	91
DY	12, 32, 72	200	–	–	–	154	138	123	107	91
FX	21, 41, 51	200	187	175	161	148	133	119	–	–
FY	22, 42, 52	200	185	173	161	150	135	120	–	–
FZ	23, 43, 53	200	187	175	163	152	137	122	–	–
GX	21, 41, 81	200	187	175	161	148	133	119	–	–
GY	22, 42, 82	200	185	173	161	150	135	120	–	–
HX	21, 41, 91	200	187	175	161	148	133	119	–	–
HY	22, 42, 92	200	185	173	161	150	135	120	–	–
IY	22, 42, 72	200	185	173	161	150	135	120	–	–
LB	12, 32	200	–	–	–	154	138	123	107	91
MA	21, 41	200	187	175	161	148	133	119	–	–
MB	22, 42	200	185	173	161	150	135	120	–	–

Source: Cambridge grade threshold table, November 2023 (PDF) · November 2023 papers and mark schemes

June 2023: 21 options

Option	Components	Out of	A*	A	B	C	D	E	F	G
AW	12, 31, 52	200	–	–	–	147	129	111	91	71
AX	11, 31, 51	200	–	–	–	154	133	113	93	73
AY	12, 32, 52	200	–	–	–	145	126	107	87	67
AZ	13, 33, 53	200	–	–	–	145	126	107	87	67
BX	11, 31, 81	200	–	–	–	154	133	113	93	73
BY	12, 32, 82	200	–	–	–	145	126	107	87	67
CW	12, 31, 92	200	–	–	–	147	129	111	91	71
CX	11, 31, 91	200	–	–	–	154	133	113	93	73
CY	12, 32, 92	200	–	–	–	145	126	107	87	67
FW	22, 41, 52	200	186	172	154	137	117	97	–	–
FX	21, 41, 51	200	185	170	152	135	116	97	–	–
FY	22, 42, 52	200	186	173	154	135	115	95	–	–
FZ	23, 43, 53	200	185	170	152	135	116	97	–	–
GX	21, 41, 81	200	185	170	152	135	116	97	–	–
GY	22, 42, 82	200	186	173	154	135	115	95	–	–
HW	22, 41, 92	200	186	172	154	137	117	97	–	–
HX	21, 41, 91	200	185	170	152	135	116	97	–	–
HY	22, 42, 92	200	186	173	154	135	115	95	–	–
LB	12, 32	200	–	–	–	145	126	107	87	67
MA	21, 41	200	185	170	152	135	116	97	–	–
MB	22, 42	200	186	173	154	135	115	95	–	–

Source: Cambridge grade threshold table, June 2023 (PDF) · June 2023 papers and mark schemes

March 2023: 3 options

Option	Components	Out of	A*	A	B	C	D	E	F	G
AY	12, 32, 52	200	–	–	–	131	113	96	78	60
FY	22, 42, 52	200	177	163	149	136	119	103	–	–
HY	22, 42, 92	200	177	163	149	136	119	103	–	–

Source: Cambridge grade threshold table, March 2023 (PDF) · March 2023 papers and mark schemes

November 2022: 19 options

Option	Components	Out of	A*	A	B	C	D	E	F	G
AX	11, 31, 51	200	–	–	–	154	138	123	105	87
AY	12, 32, 52	200	–	–	–	154	138	123	105	87
AZ	13, 33, 53	200	–	–	–	154	138	123	105	87
BX	11, 31, 81	200	–	–	–	154	138	123	105	87
BY	12, 32, 82	200	–	–	–	154	138	123	105	87
CX	11, 31, 91	200	–	–	–	154	138	123	105	87
CY	12, 32, 92	200	–	–	–	154	138	123	105	87
DY	12, 32, 72	200	–	–	–	154	138	123	105	87
FX	21, 41, 51	200	187	175	161	148	134	121	–	–
FY	22, 42, 52	200	181	170	159	148	133	119	–	–
FZ	23, 43, 53	200	181	170	159	148	133	119	–	–
GX	21, 41, 81	200	187	175	161	148	134	121	–	–
GY	22, 42, 82	200	181	170	159	148	133	119	–	–
HX	21, 41, 91	200	187	175	161	148	134	121	–	–
HY	22, 42, 92	200	181	170	159	148	133	119	–	–
IY	22, 42, 72	200	181	170	159	148	133	119	–	–
LB	12, 32	200	–	–	–	154	138	123	105	87
MA	21, 41	200	187	175	161	148	134	121	–	–
MB	22, 42	200	181	170	159	148	133	119	–	–

Source: Cambridge grade threshold table, November 2022 (PDF) · November 2022 papers and mark schemes

June 2022: 17 options

Option	Components	Out of	A*	A	B	C	D	E	F	G
AX	11, 31, 51	200	–	–	–	145	125	105	87	70
AY	12, 32, 52	200	–	–	–	141	121	101	83	65
AZ	13, 33, 53	200	–	–	–	141	121	101	83	65
BX	11, 31, 81	200	–	–	–	145	125	105	87	70
BY	12, 32, 82	200	–	–	–	141	121	101	83	65
CX	11, 31, 91	200	–	–	–	145	125	105	87	70
CY	12, 32, 92	200	–	–	–	141	121	101	83	65
FX	21, 41, 51	200	183	167	148	130	110	90	–	–
FY	22, 42, 52	200	184	168	148	128	108	88	–	–
FZ	23, 43, 53	200	182	165	146	128	107	87	–	–
GX	21, 41, 81	200	183	167	148	130	110	90	–	–
GY	22, 42, 82	200	184	168	148	128	108	88	–	–
HX	21, 41, 91	200	183	167	148	130	110	90	–	–
HY	22, 42, 92	200	184	168	148	128	108	88	–	–
LB	12, 32	200	–	–	–	141	121	101	83	65
MA	21, 41	200	183	167	148	130	110	90	–	–
MB	22, 42	200	184	168	148	128	108	88	–	–

Source: Cambridge grade threshold table, June 2022 (PDF) · June 2022 papers and mark schemes

March 2022: 3 options

Option	Components	Out of	A*	A	B	C	D	E	F	G
AY	12, 32, 52	200	–	–	–	127	109	91	74	57
FY	22, 42, 52	200	173	158	143	128	112	97	–	–
HY	22, 42, 92	200	173	158	143	128	112	97	–	–

Source: Cambridge grade threshold table, March 2022 (PDF) · March 2022 papers and mark schemes

November 2021: 19 options

Option	Components	Out of	A*	A	B	C	D	E	F	G
AX	11, 31, 51	200	–	–	–	134	115	96	76	56
AY	12, 32, 52	200	–	–	–	150	132	114	96	78
AZ	13, 33, 53	200	–	–	–	132	113	94	74	54
BX	11, 31, 81	200	–	–	–	134	115	96	76	56
BY	12, 32, 82	200	–	–	–	150	132	114	96	78
CX	11, 31, 91	200	–	–	–	134	115	96	76	56
CY	12, 32, 92	200	–	–	–	150	132	114	96	78
DY	12, 32, 72	200	–	–	–	150	132	114	96	78
FX	21, 41, 51	200	183	170	157	145	128	112	–	–
FY	22, 42, 52	200	176	165	154	143	127	112	–	–
FZ	23, 43, 53	200	179	167	155	144	127	111	–	–
GX	21, 41, 81	200	183	170	157	145	128	112	–	–
GY	22, 42, 82	200	176	165	154	143	127	112	–	–
HX	21, 41, 91	200	183	170	157	145	128	112	–	–
HY	22, 42, 92	200	176	165	154	143	127	112	–	–
IY	22, 42, 72	200	176	165	154	143	127	112	–	–
LB	12, 32	200	–	–	–	150	132	114	96	78
MA	21, 41	200	183	170	157	145	128	112	–	–
MB	22, 42	200	176	165	154	143	127	112	–	–

Source: copy of the Cambridge grade threshold table, November 2021 (PDF) · November 2021 papers and mark schemes

June 2021: 15 options

Option	Components	Out of	A*	A	B	C	D	E	F	G
AW	12, 31, 52	200	–	–	–	125	106	87	69	51
AX	11, 31, 51	200	–	–	–	127	108	89	71	54
AY	12, 32, 52	200	–	–	–	127	107	87	69	51
AZ	13, 33, 53	200	–	–	–	129	109	89	71	54
CW	12, 31, 92	200	–	–	–	125	106	87	69	51
CX	11, 31, 91	200	–	–	–	127	108	89	71	54
CY	12, 32, 92	200	–	–	–	127	107	87	69	51
FX	21, 41, 51	200	174	157	140	123	105	87	–	–
FY	22, 42, 52	200	181	163	142	121	104	88	–	–
FZ	23, 43, 53	200	177	157	137	118	102	87	–	–
HX	21, 41, 91	200	174	157	140	123	105	87	–	–
HY	22, 42, 92	200	181	163	142	121	104	88	–	–
LB	12, 32	200	–	–	–	127	107	87	69	51
MA	21, 41	200	174	157	140	123	105	87	–	–
MB	22, 42	200	181	163	142	121	104	88	–	–

Source: copy of the Cambridge grade threshold table, June 2021 (PDF) · June 2021 papers and mark schemes

March 2021: 4 options

Option	Components	Out of	A*	A	B	C	D	E	F	G
AY	12, 32, 52	200	–	–	–	131	113	96	78	60
DY	12, 32, 72	200	–	–	–	131	113	96	78	60
FY	22, 42, 52	200	169	153	137	122	109	96	–	–
IY	22, 42, 72	200	169	153	137	122	109	96	–	–

Source: copy of the Cambridge grade threshold table, March 2021 (PDF) · March 2021 papers and mark schemes

November 2020: 18 options

Option	Components	Out of	A*	A	B	C	D	E	F	G
AX	11, 31, 51	200	–	–	–	143	125	108	90	72
AY	12, 32, 52	200	–	–	–	152	132	112	92	72
AZ	13, 33, 53	200	–	–	–	143	125	108	90	72
BX	11, 31, 81	200	–	–	–	143	125	108	90	72
BY	12, 32, 82	200	–	–	–	152	132	112	92	72
CX	11, 31, 91	200	–	–	–	143	125	108	90	72
CY	12, 32, 92	200	–	–	–	152	132	112	92	72
DY	12, 32, 72	200	–	–	–	152	132	112	92	72
FX	21, 41, 51	200	187	174	159	145	126	108	–	–
FY	22, 42, 52	200	177	165	153	142	125	109	–	–
FZ	23, 43, 53	200	177	165	153	142	125	109	–	–
GX	21, 41, 81	200	187	174	159	145	126	108	–	–
GY	22, 42, 82	200	177	165	153	142	125	109	–	–
HX	21, 41, 91	200	187	174	159	145	126	108	–	–
HY	22, 42, 92	200	177	165	153	142	125	109	–	–
IY	22, 42, 72	200	177	165	153	142	125	109	–	–
MA	21, 41	200	187	174	159	145	126	108	–	–
MB	22, 42	200	177	165	153	142	125	109	–	–

Source: copy of the Cambridge grade threshold table, November 2020 (PDF) · November 2020 papers and mark schemes

Frequently asked questions

How many marks do you need for an A* in IGCSE English - Second Language?

In June 2026, an A* needed 141 to 143 out of 150 (94% to 95%), depending on the option (the combination of papers) you were entered for. Across the 18 sessions on this page, the A* threshold ran from 85% to 95% of the marks, so it is worth checking the table for the session you are practising.

Why does one 0510 session have several grade thresholds?

Cambridge sets a threshold for each option, and each option is a different combination of papers and variants. Schools in different administrative zones sit different variants, so use the row that matches the papers you sat. Your exams officer can tell you which components you were entered for.

Where do these 0510 grade thresholds come from?

From Cambridge International's grade threshold table for each session, linked next to every session on this page. Cambridge publishes grade thresholds after each exam series on its grade threshold tables page.

Official source: Cambridge IGCSE grade threshold tables. If a number here ever differs from the table your school received, the school's copy is the one that counts, so ask your exams officer.

More for English - Second Language: all past papers · English - Second Language hub · how grade thresholds work