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What each GCSE grade means, what counts as a pass and how grade boundaries work.
GCSEs in England are graded from 9 to 1. Grade 9 is the highest and grade 1 is the lowest. A U means ungraded. The number grades replaced the old A* to G letters from 2017.
How the numbers compare with the old letters
The two scales do not match exactly, but there are three fixed points:
- The bottom of grade 7 lines up with the bottom of the old grade A
- The bottom of grade 4 lines up with the bottom of the old grade C
- The bottom of grade 1 lines up with the bottom of the old grade G
Grade 9 sits above the old A*. It was added to pick out the very highest results.
What counts as a pass?
The government calls grade 4 a standard pass and grade 5 a strong pass. Students who do not reach grade 4 in English or maths are expected to keep studying that subject after 16.
Sixth forms and colleges set their own entry requirements. Many ask for a grade 6 or 7 in a subject before a student can take it at A-Level, so check each school's requirements.
Tiers and double grades
Some subjects, including maths and the sciences, have two tiers. Higher tier papers cover grades 9 to 4. Foundation tier papers cover grades 5 to 1. Combined Science counts as two GCSEs and gives a double grade, from 9-9 down to 1-1.
What are grade boundaries?
A grade boundary is the lowest mark needed for a grade. Boundaries are not fixed in advance. The exam boards set them for each paper after marking, so they change a little from year to year depending on how hard the paper was.
This means a percentage in a mock exam is only a guide. Ask the school which year's boundaries were used to grade it.
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