GCSE 9-1 grades explained

What is the new grading scale for GCSE qualifications?

The reformed GCSE qualifications will be awarded on a grade scale of 9 (the highest grade) to 1 (the lowest).

This new scale will be aligned to key grades on the current A* to G scale.

• broadly the same proportion of students will achieve a grade 4 and above as currently achieve a grade C and above
• broadly the same proportion of students will achieve a grade 7 and above as currently achieve a grade A and above
• broadly the same proportion of students will achieve a grade 1 and above as currently achieve a grade G and above.

• All other grade boundaries (except Grade 9) will be set arithmetically, as they are now.

  For example, the boundaries at grades 5 and 6 will be set based on the difference in marks between grades 4 and 7; grade 5 will be set at one third of the difference in marks, and grade 6 at two thirds the difference in marks. Find out more about the grade scale.