Overview
Official 0990 First Language English (9 — 1) grade boundaries for June 2026 publish in August — IGCSE grades 18 August 2026, component threshold tables around 13 August. Estimate with marked past papers via the [0990 calculator](/tools/grade-boundary-calculator/0990).
Quick answer
For Cambridge syllabus 0990, [Post-exam prep](/blog/cambridge-post-exam-results-prep-2026) — [Results day guide](/blog/cambridge-results-day-august-2026-guide)
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| When are June 2026 IGCSE grades released? | 18 August 2026 (06:00 GMT) |
| When are threshold tables published? | ~13 August 2026 |
| Grading scale? | 9 — 1 (not A* — G) |
| Papers? | Reading (P1) + Directed writing / composition (P2); coursework route optional |
| Marking style? | Band descriptors on extended responses — quote and analyse |
| Estimate tool | 0990 calculator (enter official thresholds) |
What are grade boundaries?
For Cambridge syllabus 0990, grade boundaries are minimum raw marks for each 9 — 1 grade on each 0990 component — Reading, Directed Writing & Composition, and coursework where entered. They are session-specific raw marks, not classroom percentages. Grade 9 on your statement reflects the aggregate across components, not a single paper marked in isolation.
0990 vs 0500
Many centres still sit 0500 (A* — G). 0990 is the 9 — 1 parallel syllabus with different component codes, grade labels, and threshold PDFs. Confirm your statement of entry with your exams officer — do not mix past papers, mark schemes, or calculator sessions between the two codes. Schools migrating to 9 — 1 grading should retire 0500 folders once entry is confirmed.
How to estimate your grade
Revision: [0500/0990 most-tested skills](/blog/most-repeated-cambridge-english-past-paper-topics-2026) — [0500 past papers guide](/blog/cambridge-0500-igcse-first-language-english-past-papers-guide) — [mark a paper](/mark)
- Timed Paper 1 + Paper 2 — mark to band descriptors
- Log marks lost on summary word limits vs writer's effect questions
- Compare raw marks to June 2024/2023 component thresholds (official PDF)
Frequently asked questions
For Cambridge syllabus 0990, threshold PDFs ~13 August; grades 18 August.
When are official boundaries released?
Is 70% always a grade 9?
No — raw thresholds change every session.
Does the calculator show 9 — 1 grades?
Enter the official 9 — 1 thresholds from the Cambridge PDF. Our reference tables map component grades 9?A column, 8?B, — 5?E for side-by-side comparison with other syllabuses.
Related subjects
English pathways split by syllabus code — confirm 0990 on your statement before following any guide. Do not mix 0500 past papers, thresholds, or calculators with 0990 entries. See the [grade boundaries hub](/guides/grade-boundaries) for every syllabus calculator. Cross-link below for adjacent syllabuses only; never swap threshold numbers between codes or sessions.