My older brother asked me last week for the new GCSE grades explained in a way he’d understand. So today I’m explaining how the new GCSE grades work. I can’t believe it’s been 19 years since I was collecting my own GCSE results. Time sure does fly!

Today, it’s my niece’s turn. I asked her earlier on what grades she is hoping for, and she told me she needs 4’s to get onto her college course. This bamboozled me totally, so I set about trying to work out the A-G equivalent of the new GCSE grades. Read on to find out what they are.

New GCSE Grades Explained

The new GCSE grades are numerical and go from 1 to 9. Grade 9 is the highest grade, while grade 1 is the lowest. Only 4% of students will achieve a grade 9 (Which is harder to achieve than A* was on the old system).

In terms of what college courses are looking for, you need the following:

To study A levels at our local College, you must obtain a minimum of six GCSE grades on GCSE results day. These have to include 4/5 in English Language and mathematics (minimum combined total of 9 points). Plus, a minimum of two additional GCSEs at grade 4 or higher. As well as a minimum of two additional GCSEs at grade 5 or higher.

Back in the year 2000, you needed 5x GCSE grade A*-C to get on to study A levels. Entry requirements have definitely increased since I left school.

If you want to study vocational subjects like BTECs (which were known as GNVQ’s back in my day, you can opt for levels 1-3.

Level 3 BTEC Health and Social Care needs Four or more GCSEs at grade 9-4 (A*-C) including English Language. Additionally, level 2 requires Four or more GCSEs at grade 9-3 (A*-D) including English Language. Level 1 requires Four or more GCSEs at grade 9-2 (A*-E) including English Language.

New GCSE Grades VS Old A*- G GCSE Grades.

Traditional A* to G grades have been replaced with a 9 to 1 system. With 9 the highest mark. So this is the new GCSE grades explained in a way A-G grade students will understand. This is how they compare to the old system:

• Grade 9 = Above an A*
• Grade 8 = Between grades A* and A
• Grade 7 = Grade A
• Grade 6 = Just above a grade B
• Grade 5 = Between grades B and C
• Grade 4 = Grade C
• Grade 3 = Between grades D and E
• Grade 2 = Between grades E and F
• Grade 1 = Between grades F and G

I have no idea whether the change from letters to numbers has been beneficial or not, but I hope seeing the new GCSE grades explained clearly has helped you to understand them, compared to the A*-G system from previous years.

2024 Update

The new grade system has been out for a while now, and the results are in…
Students who sat their GCSEs between 2017-2019 will have a mixture of letter and numerical grades, and those who sat them from 2020 onwards will have fully numerical GCSE results.

When my daughter started year 7 last year, I expected the new GCSE grades explained fully, but as of yet, we’ve not been given this information. I can’t help but worry how many parents will be completely bamboozled by the new system when their teens are sitting their GCSE’s. What do you think?

I have two friends who’s kids have now sat their GCSEs and received their numerical grades. One got all 7’s and the other got a mixture of 3’s and 4’s, with one 5. Both achieved their estimated grades in almost every subject.

Finally, if you’ve found this new GCSE grades explained post useful, why not check out more of my education posts here.