GCSEs are graded 9 to 1, with 9 being the highest. Grade 4 is a 'standard pass' - roughly an old grade C - and grade 5 is a 'strong pass'. Colleges and sixth forms typically ask for grade 4 or 5 in English and maths.
Grades 7, 8 and 9 correspond to the old A and A* range, with 9 reserved for the very highest performance. Each grade is set by exam boards using grade boundaries that shift slightly each year.
Understanding the scale helps parents set realistic targets with teachers. Ask your child's school for current working-at grades, and our tutors can explain what the gap to the next grade actually means in practice.
Was this resource helpful?
Your feedback helps us decide what to add next.