How does the GCSE grading system work?

The General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) is a qualification awarded to students in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland after completing their secondary education. The grading system for GCSEs has recently undergone some changes to make it more challenging and to better reflect students’ achievements.

GCSEs are graded on a scale from 9 to 1, with 9 being the highest grade and 1 being the lowest. The old grading system, which used letters (A*, A, B, etc.), has been replaced by this numerical system in order to provide more differentiation between students’ performance.

When students receive their GCSE results, they will see a number grade for each subject they have taken. In most cases, a grade 4 is considered a “standard pass” and a grade 5 is considered a “strong pass.” A grade 4 is equivalent to the old C grade, while a grade 7 is equivalent to the old A grade.

Overall, the new GCSE grading system aims to provide a more accurate and detailed assessment of students’ knowledge and skills. It allows for greater differentiation between students and provides a clearer understanding of their achievements.