GCSE Grades Explained for Students

What is the GCSE grading system?

In England, examiners now mark GCSEs with a numerical grading system from 1 to 9. 

9 is the highest pass for exceptional students, whilst 1 is the lowest grade a student can earn. If a student fails to achieve a grade they will receive a U, which stands for ungraded. 

The UK government aligned the new numerical scale with the old A*-G grading system using anchor points. This means the bottom of a grade:

• 7 aligns with the bottom of a grade A

• 4 aligns with the bottom of a grade C

• 1 aligns with the bottom of a grade G 

So employers, universities, and sixth forms can easily recognise GCSE grades equivalent to the old system.

New GCSE grades explained: What every student should know

The government started phasing in the new system in 2017 to:

• Signal education reform

• Show a higher differentiation of abilities amongst top performers

• Reflect the new more demanding content of courses
  

Then-education secretary, Michael Gove, championed the new system to ensure English education standards equal that of other high-performing countries.

Roughly the same proportion of students will receive grades 1, 4 and 7 as grades G, C, and A. But fewer grade 9s will be awarded than A*s to reflect how it is a more difficult grade to achieve.

GCSE grades equivalent: What your grades mean

Let's dig a little deeper into the numerical grading scale as well as its old GCSE grades equivalent, and take a look at how students have performed historically.

A 9 is equivalent to a high A*

A grade of 9 is a passing grade for high-attaining students who have performed exceptionally well. In 2024, 5% of students achieved a grade 9, and in 2023, 4.9% of students did. 

An 8 is equivalent to a low A* or a high A

A grade 8 is a pass grade for high-attaining students who have performed very well. In 2024 and 2023, 7.1% of students achieved an 8 grade at GCSE.

A 7 is equivalent to a low-grade A

A grade of 7 is a passing grade for high-attaining students who have performed well. In 2024 and 2023, 9.6% of students achieved a grade 7.

A 6 is equivalent to a high B

A grade of 6 is a passing grade for students who have performed very well. In 2024, 13.6% of students achieved a grade 6, and in 2023, 14% of students did.

A 5 is equivalent to a low B or high C

A grade 5 is a pass grade for students who have performed well and is the most common individual grade level achieved by GCSE students. In 2024 and 2023, 16.6% of students achieved this grade.

A 4 is equivalent to a low C

A grade 4 is a pass grade. Students must resit Maths and English if they do not achieve a grade 4. In 2024 15.5% of students achieved this grade, and in 2023, 15.6% did.

A 3 is equivalent to D or high E

A grade 3 is a low pass grade. In 2024, 16.3% of students achieved this grade, and in 2023, 16% did. Students who receive this grade in English and Maths must retake these subjects.

A 2 is equivalent to a low F or G

A grade 2 is a low pass grade. In 2024 and 2023, 9.3% of students achieved this grade. Students who receive this grade in English and Maths must retake these subjects.

A 1 is equivalent to a low F or G

A grade 1 is the lowest pass grade. In 2024, 5% of students achieved this grade and in 2023, 4.9% of students did. Students who receive this grade in English and Maths must retake these subjects.

A U is still a U

If a student fails to achieve a grade, they will receive a U, which stands for ungraded (and fail). In 2024 and 2023, 2% of students achieved this grade. Students who receive this grade in English and Maths must retake these subjects.

How did the performance of GCSE students in 2024 compare with 2023?

GCSE results in 2024 saw a return to pre-pandemic levels, with results showing stability following a two-year decline in grades after the pandemic.

However, the GCSE results for 2024 and 2023 were very similar. In 2024, GCSE results saw a slight increase of 0.1 percentage points in grades 4 and above compared to 2023. Additionally, the proportion of students achieving grade 7 or above increased by 0.2 percentage points from 2023.

What is a pass in GCSE?

All grades other than U are technically a GCSE passing grade. For Maths and English students must achieve a grade 4 or above, otherwise they will have to continue studying and resit their Maths and English Exams until they either achieve a grade 4 or above or turn 18. Most 6th forms, colleges and further education centres will have particular grade requirements for further study so make sure to check these carefully.

What is a fail in GCSE?

A GCSE failing grade is a U. If continuing on to further education, some courses require certain grades in particular subjects so check these carefully.

If you have failed a GCSE or don't achieve the grade(s) you need: Don’t panic!

Remember you can:

• Speak to your sixth-form or college

• Retake the exam

• Appeal your grade

• Resit your GCSE(s) 

Is a GCSE grade 9 hard?

Exam boards designed the GCSE grade 9 to be the hardest grade to achieve even for the brightest students. If you're aiming for a grade 9 you'll need to revise consistently and strategically by:

• Studying past papers

• Learning memorisation techniques

• Attending revision workshops

• Focusing on your weaknesses

• Optimising your strengths

• Using a specific GCSE timetable for revision

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Is a 5 in GCSE bad?

A grade 5 is a passing grade, equivalent to a low b or high c. Whether you consider a 5 'bad' would depend on:

• What your predicted grades were

• Your personal circumstances

• What your future goals are

If you want to go on to A-levels at a college or sixth form, they’ll usually require a minimum of 5 GCSEs grade 4-9, and at least a grade 6 in the subjects you wish to study.

Is a 3 a fail at GCSE?

A 3 is a pass and is considered equivalent to a D or a high E. However, if you get lower than a grade 4 in GCSE English or Maths, you must retake these subjects. Don’t panic if you have failed, there are lots of ways you can overcome failing a GCSE.

What are the GCSE grade boundaries? 

Grade boundaries are the minimum marks you need to achieve to get a grade. For example, if the grade boundary for an 8 is 75 marks, then you'd need to get 75 marks or above to achieve an 8.

Grade boundaries change from year to year to ensure consistency, because exam papers and student experiences change from year to year. Grade boundaries are set by a group of expert senior examiners based on:

• The difficulty of the exam paper

• The level of achievement on the paper by current students

• The achievements of previous cohorts of students

Reviewing grade boundaries for specific exams and boards is useful to understand what areas a student needs to focus on to achieve their goals.

When are the GCSE grade boundaries published?

Exam boards release grade boundaries on the same day as the results. But we've assembled previous years' grade boundaries to give you an idea of where you should be aiming.

What grade is 80 percent in GCSE?

Grade boundaries for GCSE exams change depending on:

• The exam board

• The subject

• The year

• The grade boundaries

Roughly speaking 80% usually hovers around a grade 6 on a higher paper, or grade 5 on a foundation paper. But it’s worth looking at specific past papers and grade boundaries to accurately estimate what grade 80% on a particular exam might give you. 

GCSE Grades in Wales: How Do They Work?

Welsh GCSEs use a letter-based grading system, A*- G. A* is the highest grade and grades A, B and C are considered the best grades and a C is viewed as a pass. 

GCSE Grades in Northern Ireland: How Do They Work?

GCSE grades in Northern Ireland use both letter grades (A*- G) and numbers (1-9), depending on the exam board. Students take exams from both English boards—AQA, OCR, and Edexcel—and the Northern Irish board, CCEA. In 2019, CCEA introduced a C* grade, equivalent to a grade 5, to align with the English 9-1 grading scale.

A table comparing the CCEA grading structure to the 9-1 grading structure used in Northern Ireland

Do universities care about GCSE grades?

Yes, GCSE grades are important for university admissions. Requirements vary by course, with some specifying minimum grades or particular subjects. Students with a specific career path should consider their GCSE choices carefully.

Do employers care about GCSE grades?

Yes, employers do consider GCSE grades, though the emphasis varies. Most expect at least a grade 4 (or equivalent) in English and Maths. Some apprenticeships require specific subject grades, while others use GCSEs to compare candidates.

IGCSE vs GCSE grades: What's the difference?

GCSEs are the general certification of secondary education taken in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The IGCSE is an international qualification created for students who live or study abroad. The two qualifications are similar but the IGCSEs generally still use the A*-G grade scale.

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References

Examination Results Archive - JCQ Joint Council for Qualifications 

GCSE grades in England 2024 | Statista

GCSE 9 to 1 grades - GOV.UK 

How to advise students about GCSE choices | Undergraduate | UCAS. 

GCSEs, AS & A levels | Qualifications Wales 

Guide to GCSE Grading Changes in Northern Ireland