AQA vs Edexcel: is one exam board harder than the other?

Every year parents ask whether AQA or Edexcel (or OCR, or WJEC) is 'harder'. The short answer: no board is consistently harder across all subjects. The longer answer is more useful.

How standardisation works

All boards are regulated by Ofqual and adjusted so that grade boundaries align to a national standard. A Grade 6 in AQA Maths is intended to mean the same as a Grade 6 in Edexcel Maths.

Differences that do exist

Question style varies. AQA papers tend to be longer; Edexcel shorter and more direct. OCR often uses unusual contexts. WJEC papers can include creative answer structures. None of these makes a board 'harder' — but they do reward different revision strategies.

Practical advice

Whatever board your school uses, drill that board's past papers exclusively. Mixing boards in revision practice wastes time and adds confusion. Tell your tutor your board on enquiry — they'll match a specialist.