Navigating the GCSE to A-Level Transition: Overcoming Challenges and Succeeding in Advanced Education
10/07/23
09/09/17
Understanding GCSE 9–1 grades:
A parent and pupil guide
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By now you’re most likely aware of recent changes to the way that GCSE grades are being awarded. While this went into effect for Maths and English in summer 2017, government communication of these changes was rather dismal, leaving many parents and pupils still thoroughly confused.
Fear not though, Manning’s Tutors have the answers to all your exam reform questions.
What are 9-1 Gradings?
Numerical grades have replaced the old letter grades, with pupils awarded a result from 9-1 rather than from A* to G.
Slightly confusingly, for parents who sat their O-Levels or GCSE’s before 1975 and recall 1 being the highest grade obtainable, the new scale operates in the reverse order, with 9 being the highest grade. The reason for this is to allow scope to add higher grades in the future (up to 10, or even right the way up to 11)
Will this affect all subjects?
Yes, although it was phased in gradually. From 2019, all GCSE and A Level subjects will follow the new 9-1 grading scheme.
Won’t this be confusing for my child?
From now on, hopefully not. If you’re frantically scanning the internet for information on the 9-1 grades because your child is taking their GCSEs this summer (2019), you’re in luck! All your child’s grades will follow the 9-1 system.
However, those who took their GCSEs in 2017 or 2018 will have received ‘mixed’ GCSE results; numbers for some subjects (definitely Maths and English) with letter grades for others. This was not only confusing at the time, but will remain on their CV for life, potentially confusing future employers.
If this causes frustration, we suggest blaming Michael Gove, who was presumably spending his time as education secretary plotting his failed Prime Ministerial bid, or working on his clapping technique rather than ensuring a cohesive plan for the adoption of his new grade system.
How do the new grades compare to the old grades?
A few grades have been anchored against the old grades:
A new grade 7 is equivalent to an old A grade
A new grade 4 is equivalent to an old C grade
A new grade 1 is equivalent to an old G grade
For the correlation of the remaining grades, please see our 9-1 grades conversion graph:
Traditionally, a grade C has been considered a pass. As you can see, there are now fewer grades (1, 2 & 3) distinguishing those who fail to achieve this level.
There are now three grades (4, 5 & 6) covering the old B & C, allowing for a greater differentiation of this ‘pass mark’.
There is also more scope at the top end of the scale, with grades 7, 8 & 9 covering the previous A & A* marks. Only the top 20% of those receiving a grade 7 or above will be awarded a grade 9. According to Ofqal this means it really is reserved for the very highest performers; this has proved itself to be true, with only 732 pupils achieving a clean sweep of grade 9 results in 2018.
So what grade is considered a pass?
It depends! As the new grade 4 correlates to the bottom of an old grade C, pupils achieving a grade 4 will consider that they have passed their subject. Likewise, in this interim period, schools are likely to be judged by this same standard.
However, the main motivation behind these changes is to increase standards in British education to match international standards. The new grade 5, awarded to the top third of current C grade pupils, is comparable to a pass grade in countries such as Finland, Canada, the Netherlands and Switzerland, and should therefore be viewed as a more robust pass (and will shortly become the new benchmark by which pupils and schools are judged)
Will my child’s grades suffer as a result of this?
Results suggest not. Admittedly, the first outing for this grading system in 2017 did not go well, with the percentage of students receiving top grades (a new 7/an old A or above) falling to its lowest point since 2007. However, things are looking up, with pass rates (that’s a new 4/an old C or above) rising by 0.5 percentage points in 2018.
If this continues, results in 2019 should not be negatively affected by the new grading system.
I’m still unsure!
We don’t blame you. Communications on these reforms are rather sparse, generally unclear, and seem to be subject to change with little notice. If you’ve any concerns or queries, we’d be happy to help you answer them. Please just drop an email to johnny@manningstutors.co.uk or call us on 0207 060 6357.