Overview
Every results day brings “grades are easier/harder this year” posts. Most are anecdote. Your mock-to-exam trajectory is shaped by mark schemes and boundaries, not TikTok inflation theories.
Myth vs mechanism
> Key takeaway: Anecdotes describe feelings; mark schemes describe rules.
| Myth | Mechanism |
|---|---|
| “They always fail everyone in June” | Standards set per paper; cohort performance shifts boundaries |
| “Grade inflation makes A* free” | Top bands still require full mark-scheme coverage |
| “Our school is marked harshly” | Centre variation exists — your script is marked to the same scheme |
| “Boundary leaked = I know my grade” | Boundaries apply after marking; pre-exam guesses mislead |
Why mark schemes beat rumours
For Cambridge which Cambridge A-Level subjects, schemes define:
- Exact acceptable wording and method steps
- Mark tariffs per bullet — what earns 1 vs 2 marks
- Dependencies — A marks often need preceding M marks
Read how to read a mark scheme before debating inflation online.
Grade boundaries — what they actually do
For Cambridge which Cambridge A-Level subjects, boundaries translate raw marks to grades after papers are marked. They:
- Move slightly year to year
- Differ by component, not just subject
- Are not revision targets — raw mark skill is
See grade boundaries guide for sensible use in mocks.
Examiner reports — the antidote to myths
For Cambridge which Cambridge A-Level subjects, reports explain:
- Where all candidates lost marks
- Misconceptions that repeat every session
- How harsh examiners actually were on specific questions
Pair reports with ECF guide in maths/science.
Practical prediction method (no crystal ball)
Upload uncertain essays to [MarkScheme](/mark) for second opinions.
- Mark three recent papers strictly
- Track raw % per component
- Compare to published boundaries for those sessions (guide only)
- Improve scheme alignment — not boundary gambling
Inflation talk and mental health
For Cambridge which Cambridge A-Level subjects, viral “only 2% got A*” posts spike anxiety. Redirect energy:
- One more marked question beats one hour of Reddit
- Teachers / advisors over anonymous forums
FAQ
For Cambridge which Cambridge A-Level subjects, aggregate national trends ≠ your script. Scheme mastery moves your marks.
Did 2025 prove inflation?
Are Cambridge grades comparable year to year?
Broadly moderated — but your task is maxing the paper in front of you.
Do harder boundaries mean I should cram new content last week?
No — polish exam technique and command words instead.
What to read next
This section covers What to read next — ranked by what Cambridge examiners return to most often in past papers.