At a glance
- Cambridge Maths Core
- Papers 1 and 3, grades C to G
- Cambridge Maths Extended
- Papers 2 and 4, grades A* to E
- Cambridge sciences
- Core C to G; Extended A* to G
- Edexcel Maths
- Foundation 5 to 1; Higher 9 to 4
- Who decides
- The school enters the student; ask when it locks
The tiers on each board
| Board and subject | Lower tier | Upper tier |
|---|---|---|
| Cambridge Maths 0580 | Core: Papers 1 (non-calculator) and 3 (calculator), 80 marks each, grades C to G | Extended: Papers 2 (non-calculator) and 4 (calculator), 100 marks each, grades A* to E |
| Cambridge Biology 0610 (same pattern in Chemistry 0620, Physics 0625) | Core: Papers 1, 3 and 5 or 6, grades C to G | Extended: Papers 2, 4 and 5 or 6, grades A* to G |
| Edexcel Maths 4MA1 | Foundation: Papers 1F and 2F, grades 5 to 1 | Higher: Papers 1H and 2H, grades 9 to 4 |
| Edexcel sciences (4BI1, 4CH1, 4PH1) | No tiers | No tiers |
What the June 2026 Cambridge Maths boundaries show
Minimum total marks for each grade in 0580, June 2026, for two common paper combinations. Boundaries change every series.
| Grade | Core (Papers 12 + 32), out of 160 | Extended (Papers 22 + 42), out of 200 |
|---|---|---|
| A* | Not available | 177 (88.5%) |
| A | Not available | 154 (77%) |
| B | Not available | 120 (60%) |
| C | 83 (52%) | 87 (43.5%) |
| D | 67 (42%) | 68 (34%) |
| E | 52 (32.5%) | 49 (24.5%) |
| F | 37 (23%) | Not available |
| G | 22 (14%) | Not available |
Source: Cambridge grade threshold table for 0580, June 2026. Other paper variants had slightly different thresholds.
Reading those numbers
The table makes the trade-off concrete. On Extended, a C needed 87 marks out of 200, about 44%; on Core, it needed 83 out of 160, about 52%. The Extended papers are harder, so the lower percentage is not a free gift, but a student who can handle most of the Extended content often reaches C more comfortably there, and keeps the chance of a B or A.
The risk sits at the bottom. On Cambridge Maths Extended, the lowest grade available is E. A student who falls below that on the Extended papers is ungraded, while the same student on Core might have earned a D or E. That is why Cambridge advises entering students expected to achieve D or below for Core.
How to judge which tier is right
- Ask what grade your child needs next. Most sixth forms want a 6 or 7 (B or A) to continue maths or a science, which is only possible on the upper tier.
- Look at recent Extended-style work, not class grades. Can your child handle algebraic fractions, simultaneous equations and quadratic problems with some confidence?
- Check timed past-paper scores against recent boundaries. Consistently above the C boundary on Extended papers suggests Extended is safe.
- Ask the school when the entry is fixed. Entry deadlines for the June series fall well before the exam, and some schools decide in Year 10.
- If the school recommends Core, ask why and what would change the decision. A clear, honest answer is a good sign.
Common mistakes parents make
The first is not knowing a tier decision exists until the results arrive. In maths especially, the decision is often made in Year 10 based on set placement, and a C on Core then cannot be improved on the day. The second is pushing for Extended against all the evidence: a student who is ungraded on Extended maths is worse off than one with a solid C on Core.
The third is assuming the decision is permanent. Students who improve can move up, and the honest test is a set of timed Extended papers in the term before entries close.
How one-to-one lessons help
A tutor can give an independent read on tier placement within a few lessons, using your child's own working on Extended or Higher papers rather than a class average. If the gap is fixable, lessons target the topics that separate the tiers, mostly algebra, graphs of functions and multi-step problems, and track timed scores against recent boundaries.
If Core is the right choice, lessons focus on securing a C (or 4 to 5 on Edexcel) with accurate, well-set-out answers. LiveTutor lessons are one to one, 60 minutes, online, with tutors who teach the Cambridge and Edexcel specifications.
Common questions
What is the highest grade on Core IGCSE Maths?
C on Cambridge 0580 Core. On Edexcel 4MA1 Foundation, the highest grade is 5.
Can a student fail Extended Maths but pass Core?
Yes. Cambridge Extended Maths only awards A* to E, so a student below E is ungraded, while the same performance on Core might earn a D or E. That is why borderline students are often entered for Core.
Can my child change tier in Year 11?
Often yes, until the school's entry deadline for the exam series. Ask the school when entries are submitted and what evidence would change the decision.
Do Edexcel sciences have tiers?
No. Edexcel International GCSE Biology, Chemistry and Physics have no tiers. Cambridge sciences do, with Core graded C to G and Extended A* to G.
How much is IGCSE Maths tutoring with LiveTutor?
$15 a lesson, the same for every subject and level, on a weekly plan of 1 to 5 lessons billed monthly. The first lesson is a free trial.
Sources
Dates and figures on this page come from these official and published sources. Always confirm deadlines on the official page before acting on them.
- Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics 0580 syllabus for 2025 to 2027 (Core C to G, Extended A* to E)
- Cambridge grade threshold table: IGCSE Mathematics 0580, June 2026 (PDF)
- Cambridge IGCSE Biology 0610 syllabus for 2026 to 2028 (Core C to G, Extended A* to G)
- Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Mathematics A (4MA1) specification (Foundation 5 to 1, Higher 9 to 4)