How GCSE Grades Work: The 9–1 System Explained for Parents

The GCSE 9–1 grading system rates performance from 9 (highest) to 1 (lowest), replacing A*–G from 2017 onwards. Grade 4 is the standard pass (old grade C equivalent) and grade 5 is the strong pass. Grades 8 and 9 have no direct A*–G equivalent — they give finer distinction at the very top.

Why did GCSE grades change from letters to numbers?

The switch from A*–G to 9–1 was announced by the Department for Education in 2013 as part of a broader reform of GCSEs in England. It was phased in between 2017 and 2020, starting with English Language, English Literature and Mathematics.

The main reasons for the change:

More headroom at the top. Under the old system, only one grade (A*) sat above the A. The new system creates grades 7, 8 and 9 where the old A and A* sat, allowing finer differentiation among the highest-performing students.

A clearer standard pass. Grade 4 is explicitly labelled the "standard pass" — the minimum that schools, colleges and employers recognise as equivalent to the old C grade.

A strong pass threshold. Grade 5 (labelled the "strong pass") became the benchmark used in England's school performance measures (Attainment 8 and Progress 8), making it the target for most schools.

Separation from A-levels. Since A-levels kept letter grades, the number system makes it immediately clear that a grade 9 is a GCSE, not an A-level result.

What does each grade mean?

Grade | Equivalent to (approx.) | Description
9 | Above A* | Exceptional — awarded to roughly the top 3–5% of entries nationally
8 | A*/A boundary | Very high distinction
7 | A | High distinction
6 | Strong B | Merit
5 | B/C boundary | Strong pass — used in school performance tables
4 | C | Standard pass — minimum recognised pass in English and Maths
3 | D | Below standard pass
2 | E |
1 | F/G |
U | U | Ungraded — result withheld or below grade 1

Note: there is no grade 0. A result below grade 1 is recorded as U (ungraded).

What is a "pass" at GCSE?

There are two official pass thresholds, and they matter in different contexts:

Grade 4 — the standard pass. This is the government's official minimum pass threshold for GCSE English Language and Maths, as defined by Ofqual and the DfE. Employers, colleges and training providers who require a GCSE pass in English and Maths typically mean grade 4 or above. If a student does not achieve grade 4 in English Language or Maths by the end of Year 11, they are required to continue studying those subjects in post-16 education.

Grade 5 — the strong pass. This is the threshold used in the DfE's school performance measures (Attainment 8 and Progress 8 tables). It is also the minimum entry requirement for most sixth forms for general admission. The government chose grade 5 for performance tables because it signals a higher standard of preparation for A-level study.

In everyday conversation, many parents and teachers use "pass" to mean grade 4, and "good pass" or "strong pass" to mean grade 5. Both are technically correct — but they carry very different implications for sixth form entry and employer expectations.

How are GCSE grades set?

Ofqual, the independent qualifications regulator, sets grade boundaries for each GCSE after students have sat their exams. The process involves:

Exam scripts are marked by examiners against a published mark scheme.

Grade boundaries are determined using a combination of statistical analysis and expert judgement by senior examiners. The aim is for a student at the grade 4 boundary to have a comparable standard of performance to a student who would have received a C grade under the old system, even if the cohort changes from year to year.

Grade 9 is capped at roughly the top 20% of students who achieve a grade 7 or above. This means the absolute number of grade 9s is set relative to the national cohort each year.

The grade boundaries (the actual mark required for each grade) are published on each exam board's website on results day.

How do GCSE grades affect post-16 options?

Post-16 route | Typical GCSE requirements
Sixth form (A-levels) | Grade 5 in English Language and Maths; grades 5–6+ in chosen subjects
Further Education college (A-levels or BTEC) | Grade 4 in English and Maths as a general threshold; subject grades vary by course
T-levels | Grade 4 in English and Maths (some providers require grade 5)
Higher-level apprenticeships | Grade 4–5 in English and Maths; some employers set higher thresholds
Continuing English/Maths | Required if grade 3 or below in Year 11

One practical implication: a student who achieves grade 4 in both English and Maths but grade 3 in their other subjects will qualify for many post-16 routes but may face limited sixth form options, particularly at selective schools.

What is the difference between grade 4 and grade 5 in practical terms?

Both are passes. The key difference is what each signals:

Grade 4 says: this student has met the national standard for this subject. They understand the core content and can demonstrate it in an exam.

Grade 5 says: this student performed at the higher end of the standard — broadly equivalent to where a B/C student would have sat under the old system — and is well prepared for further study.

For English and Maths specifically, most sixth forms and FE colleges require grade 5 for A-level entry in the general admissions process. Some will accept grade 4, particularly for vocational courses.

How should parents interpret a predicted grade?

Predicted grades are estimates — they reflect a student's likely performance based on class work and assessments, not a fixed outcome. The actual grade is determined only by the exam. Key points:

A grade 5 prediction means the student is on track for a strong pass, but could still achieve a 4 or a 6 depending on exam performance and revision.

Prediction accuracy varies: for most students, the actual grade is within one grade of the prediction.

In subjects where coursework or controlled assessment contributes, that mark is already known before the exam and reduces uncertainty.

Frequently asked questions

Is grade 4 or grade 5 a pass at GCSE?

Both grade 4 and grade 5 are official passes. Grade 4 is the "standard pass" — the minimum threshold recognised by employers and post-16 providers as equivalent to the old C grade. Grade 5 is the "strong pass" used in school performance tables and required for most sixth form entry. Neither is a fail.

What grade do you need to get into sixth form?

Most sixth forms require at least grade 5 in English Language and Maths, and grades 5–6 in the subjects you plan to study at A-level. Selective or high-demand sixth forms may set higher thresholds. Always check the specific entry requirements of the sixth form your child is applying to.

What was grade 5 under the old A*–G system?

There is no exact old-system equivalent for grade 5. It sits at the B/C boundary — above what the old C represented but below a solid B. Ofqual placed the grade 5 threshold approximately at the level where a student's grade might have sat between a low B and a high C, though year-to-year grade boundaries mean this is an approximation, not a fixed equivalence.

Can a student resit a GCSE if they are unhappy with their grade?

Yes. English Language and Maths can be resit in November and June every year. Other GCSE subjects can typically be resit in the June series. Students who do not achieve grade 4 in English and Maths must continue studying those subjects post-16. Students who achieve grade 4 but want grade 5 (e.g. for sixth form entry) may choose to resit.

For Socratic KS3 and GCSE tutoring across maths, science, English and humanities, visit aitutors.me.