Equivalent GCSE grades Grade 5 is a 'strong pass' and equivalent to a high C and low B on the old grading system. Grade 4 remains the level that students must achieve without needing to resit English and Maths post-16.
For a 'standard pass', equivalent to the old C grade, students will need to achieve a 4 grade, while a 5 will constitute a 'strong pass'. Overall grades 4,5 and 6 will be equivalent to grades B and C in the old grading system.
GCSE grading system (numbers to letters)
With 9 Being the highest score and 1 the lowest (not including U for ungraded). A score of 9, 8, and 7 are equivalent to an A* and A.
According to this illustration, grade 4 requires 56 - 66 per cent, grade 5 requires 67 - 77 per cent and grade 6 requires 78 - 88 per cent. ranges may seem extraordinarily narrow and demanding, but they are supported by other evidence discussed below.
Individual: Scoring 5 would be regarded as a strong pass, so anything above this grade is considered good. Average: If you studied 10 GCSEs and achieved grade 7 in five of your subjects and grade 6 in the remaining five, then your average score would be 6.5.
Equivalent GCSE grades
Grade 5 is a 'strong pass' and equivalent to a high C and low B on the old grading system. Grade 4 remains the level that students must achieve without needing to resit English and Maths post-16.
The new GCSE grading system
Grade 9, Grade 8 and Grade 7 are equivalent to the old Grades A* and A. Grade 6, Grade 5 and Grade 4 are equivalent to the old Grades B and C. To pass you need at least a Grade 4 or Grade 5. Grades 1 to 3 are like the old D to G.
As per the old system, scoring 70 per cent means acquiring a lower grade A. When we compare the old system to the new one, with reference to the table above, we can see that 70 per cent is equivalent to a GCSE grade 7.
As a rough example, in a higher-tier maths exam, you can expect to gain a grade 6 with a 50-70 per cent overall mark, and an 8 if you achieve 86 per cent or more. Grade 9 is reserved for the upper half of the old-style A* (over 90 per cent in the paper overall).
Overall, the average grade awarded to 16-year-olds in England this year was 5.0. This is down from 5.2 in 2021 but still above the average grade of 4.8 from 2019.
As per the guide below, issued by the exams regulator Ofqual, the numerical system essentially boils down to the following: 9 = High A* grade. 8 = Lower A* or high A. 7 = Lower A grade.
For GPA purposes, A and A+ are usually equal, but A+ is a rarer grade. Sometimes, A+ is used for 96 and higher.
Essentially, any grade that you feel you are happy with above the standard pass grades of 4 or 5 can be labelled as 'good'. As long as you try your best, you should be proud of the GCSE results that you achieve!
GCSEs may limit the universities you can apply to
Because of the assumed connection between your GCSE and A-level results, it'll be down to you to prove you're able to achieve top grades. Grades 4 to 6 at GCSE suggest Cs and Ds at A-level – which might not be enough to get into some universities.
As per the guide below, issued by the exams regulator Ofqual, the numerical system essentially boils down to the following: 9 = High A* grade. 8 = Lower A* or high A. 7 = Lower A grade.
In all awarding bodies, the uniform mark grade boundaries in GCSEs are at the following percentages of the maximum uniform mark for the unit/module or qualification: A* 90%, A 80%, B 70%, C 60%, D 50%, E 40%, F 30%, G 20%.
Every GCSE subject is assessed using the 9-1 grading system, with all exams set at the end of Year 11. Grade 1 is the lowest grade, and Grade 9 is reserved for the very top students. Grade 4 is the Standard Pass grade.
According to this illustration, grade 4 requires 56 - 66 per cent, grade 5 requires 67 - 77 per cent and grade 6 requires 78 - 88 per cent.
For example, a student who gets the minimum mark necessary for a Grade A* obtains a percentage uniform mark of 90. A student who gets a mark halfway between the Grade D threshold and Grade C threshold achieves a percentage uniform mark of 55. is no Grade 'a*', the percentage uniform mark range for Grade 'a' is 80–100.
In the current grading system, a score of 9, 8 and 7 are equivalent to an A* and A. A 9 is for a student who has performed exceptionally well. A grade of 4 is the equivalent of a C grade, known as a standard pass. A grade of 5 is also a C grade but is known as a strong pass.
A grade 7 is now equal to a grade A in the old system. 2. What is a 4 grade GCSE? If you achieve a grade 4 in your GCSEs, then it is considered the same as the old grade C, under the GCSE grade equivalents.