GCSEs in England are graded from 9 to 1 rather than A* to G. If you sat your own GCSEs under the old letter grades, the numbers can be confusing. Here is what each grade means, how the two scales compare, what counts as a pass and what to do on results day.
Why the grades changed
GCSEs in England were reformed in stages, with new and more demanding content and a new numbered grading scale. English and maths were the first subjects to be graded 9 to 1, in summer 2017, and almost every other subject had followed by 2020.
The new scale has more grades at the top, which gives sixth forms, colleges, universities and employers a finer picture of the strongest students' results. Grade 9 is designed to be harder to achieve than the old A*.
The 9 to 1 scale applies to GCSEs taken in England. Wales and Northern Ireland have their own GCSE arrangements and grading.
How 9 to 1 compares with A* to G
Ofqual, the exams regulator in England, anchored the new scale to the old one at three points:
- the bottom of grade 7 lines up with the bottom of an old A
- the bottom of grade 4 lines up with the bottom of an old C
- the bottom of grade 1 lines up with the bottom of an old G
Between those points the scales don't match exactly, but the table below is a reasonable rule of thumb.
| New grade | Broadly equivalent to |
|---|---|
| 9 | A high A* |
| 8 | A low A* or a high A |
| 7 | A |
| 6 | A high B |
| 5 | A low B or a high C |
| 4 | C |
| 3 | D or a high E |
| 2 | A low E or an F |
| 1 | F or G |
| U | Ungraded |
What counts as a pass?
There isn't a single pass mark at GCSE, but the Department for Education treats grade 4 as a standard pass and grade 5 as a strong pass. School performance tables report the proportion of pupils achieving grade 4 and above, and grade 5 and above, in English and maths.
Why English and maths matter most
In England, students who don't achieve at least a grade 4 in English and maths generally have to keep studying them after 16, alongside their other courses.
What sixth forms and colleges ask for
Entry requirements vary. Many sixth forms ask for five or more GCSEs at grade 4 or above, often with a grade 6 or higher in the subjects a student wants to take at A-Level. For competitive sixth forms, and for subjects such as maths and the sciences, a grade 7 is a common requirement.
Combined Science grades
Combined Science is worth two GCSEs, so it is awarded as two grades on a 17-point scale, from 9-9 and 9-8 down to 1-1. The two grades are always the same or next to each other, so a student might receive 7-7 or 7-6, but never 7-5.
Grade boundaries: why the marks change each year
Grade boundaries — the minimum mark needed for each grade — aren't fixed in advance. Exam boards set them after students have sat the papers and marking is nearly complete, with senior examiners recommending the boundaries for each qualification. Because papers vary slightly in difficulty from year to year, the boundaries move too: the mark that earned a 7 one year might earn a 6 or an 8 the next.
Each exam board publishes past grade boundaries. They are useful for turning practice-paper scores into a rough grade, as long as you remember that next year's boundaries will be different.
Foundation and Higher tiers
In some subjects, including maths, the sciences and modern foreign languages, students sit either Foundation or Higher tier papers.
- Foundation papers allow grades 1 to 5.
- Higher papers allow grades 4 to 9, with a grade 3 possible for a student who only just misses a 4.
A student aiming for grade 6 or above needs to sit Higher tier. Schools make the final entry decision, usually informed by mock exam results, so it's worth talking to your child's teachers early if you think the tier isn't right.
Results day and what happens next
GCSE results are published in August, usually about a week after A-Level results. If your child's results are disappointing:
- Talk to their sixth form or college. Entry requirements are sometimes applied flexibly, particularly if a student has just missed a grade.
- Ask about a review of marking. Schools can request a review from the exam board. There is usually a fee, and marks can go down as well as up.
- Plan any resits. There is a November exam series for GCSE English Language and maths for students who were 16 or over by the end of August. Other subjects can be retaken in the following summer series.
How we can help
Whether your child is aiming to secure a grade 4 or to reach a 9, the right support makes a real difference. Our UK-trained tutors teach the subject knowledge and the exam technique behind each grade — see our GCSE Maths, GCSE English and GCSE Science tutoring, or our wider support for qualifications and exam success.
For Ofqual's own explanation, see GCSE 9 to 1 grade scale explained on GOV.UK.