While there isn't one single "most failed" GCSE (as it changes yearly and depends on student cohorts), Mathematics, English Language/Literature, Computer Science, and some Sciences consistently rank among the hardest and see high numbers needing resits, often due to required problem-solving, complex texts, or vast content. However, compulsory subjects like Math and English always have the most students taking them, so they naturally have the highest raw numbers of students achieving lower grades (3 or below).
The highest grade is 9, the lowest is 1, and U means “ungraded”. The number scale is not directly equivalent to the old letter one.
i actually did get 100% on my english lit paper 1 exam (AQA) - 64/64, macbeth and a christmas carol. on my results sheet, i had no idea what my individual marks were for each paper. i only got my overall mark and grade.
While on film sets, she and her castmates were tutored for up to five hours a day. In June 2006, she took GCSE school examinations in ten subjects, achieving eight A* and two A grades.
By taking a weighted average (weights in column B) of the values in column F we can estimate that less than 0.03 per cent of candidates (that is, less than 3 in 10,000) would be expected to achieve straight grade 9s across 10 gCSEs.
Students who perform exceptionally well receive a 9, usually the top 5% of the cohort.
Although Simon Cowell created some of the most successful talent competitions around the globe, including The X Factor, Pop Idol, America and Britain's Got Talent, he left school with only one O Level, which later became equivalent to a GCSE.
There's no limit to how many GCSEs you can fail or retake. No set limit exists for the number of retake attempts. Many successful professionals overcame early academic setbacks.
Kate achieved 11 GCSEs before going on to score As in Maths and Art and a B in English for her A-levels.
Key Takeaways
Q: What grade would 70% be in GCSE Maths? A: This is a great score! Using the most recent 2025 Higher tier papers as an example: On Edexcel, 70% (168 marks) would have earned you a Grade 7.
However, the following topics and skills are more common for students to find challenging:
An 80% score on your GCSE exams will generally get you at least a grade 8. In some cases, you might even get a grade 9. It represents a very high level of achievement, indicating you've excelled in your understanding and application of your subjects. In Maths, 80% would get you a grade 9 with Edexcel and Eduqas.
A 70% is often a B or a C, depending heavily on the grading system, but in many US systems it's a low C or C-, while in Australia, 70-74% is typically a Distinction (D), and 60-69% is a Credit (C). It's crucial to check your specific school or country's scale, as 70% can range from a solid pass to a high B or low Distinction.
In 2025, 21.9% of grades awarded are at grade seven (previously A) or above. But others will be holding a piece of paper – or looking at a screen – that tells them they have failed to reach expected standards. This year, 32.6% of awarded grades were below the pass grade of four.
In his GCSE examinations he got seven B's, a couple of A's and an A*and in his AS-level exams and he got A grades in 2006 but decided to take a break from education and did not go to college or university.
Emma Watson has an IQ of 138 points.
Emma Watson is best known for playing Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter film series. She is also passionate about gender equality and has spoken at the U.N. She was diagnosed with ADHD when she was 9 years old and has taken medicine to help with this. Emma has described how this has helped her focus.