TL;DR
GCSEs in England use a 9 to 1 scale. Grade 4 is a standard pass; grade 5 is a strong pass. Grade 9 is the highest grade and sits above the old A*. Grade boundaries are set after each exam series. Wales and Northern Ireland are phasing in numerical grading. Always check the specific requirements of your college, university or employer.
Last reviewed: May 2026
Key Facts
- England uses grades 9 (highest) to 1 (lowest), replacing A* to G
- Grade 4 = standard pass (broadly equivalent to old grade C)
- Grade 5 = strong pass (used by many sixth forms and colleges as a minimum)
- Grade 9 is above A* and awarded to a small proportion of top performers
- Grade boundaries are set after each exam series, not before
- Wales and Northern Ireland are phasing in numerical grading - check with your exam board
GCSEs in England are graded on a scale of 9 to 1, with 9 being the highest grade and 1 the lowest. This numerical system replaced the previous A* to G scale in England from 2017 onwards. Wales and Northern Ireland continue to use the A* to G system alongside some numerical grading depending on the subject and qualification.
GCSE grades 9 to 1 explained
The 9 to 1 grading scale was introduced by the Department for Education to provide greater differentiation among higher-achieving students and to align UK qualifications with standards in high-performing education systems internationally.
| GCSE Grade (England) | Old Grade (A* to G) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | A** | Highest grade - distinguishes the very top performers |
| 8 | A*/A | High grade |
| 7 | A | High grade |
| 6 | B | Above standard pass |
| 5 | B/C | Strong pass |
| 4 | C | Standard pass |
| 3 | D | Below standard pass |
| 2 | E | Below standard pass |
| 1 | F/G | Lowest grade |
| U | U | Ungraded |
What is a pass in GCSE?
The government and Ofqual define two levels of pass for GCSEs in England:
- Standard pass: grade 4. This broadly equates to the old grade C. Many employers and further education institutions set grade 4 as a minimum requirement.
- Strong pass: grade 5. Some sixth forms, colleges and employers specifically require a grade 5 in English and maths. A grade 5 sits at the boundary between the old B and C grades.
There is no single universal definition of a pass for all purposes. Requirements vary by institution and employer, so always check the specific entry requirements for your chosen course or job application.
Grade 9: who gets one?
Grade 9 was introduced to distinguish the very highest performers from those achieving grade 8. Ofqual uses a statistical process to set grade boundaries: typically only a small proportion of students who achieve grade 8 overall in a subject will receive a grade 9. The proportion varies by year and subject.
Grade 9 was not intended as a direct equivalent to A* - it represents a step above. Students who achieved A* under the old system would not automatically receive grade 9 under the new system.
How grade boundaries are set
Exam boards set grade boundaries after each examination series, not before. Boundaries are determined by the performance of the cohort, informed by prior year data and the judgement of senior examiners who review scripts at boundary mark ranges. This means the raw mark needed for a grade 4, 5 or higher varies from year to year and between exam series.
GCSE grades in Wales and Northern Ireland
Wales and Northern Ireland are phasing in numerical grading for reformed GCSEs but some subjects continue to use A* to G. WJEC in Wales and CCEA in Northern Ireland publish their own grading guidance. Students in these countries should check with their school or exam board for the grading structure applicable to their specific papers.
Using GCSE grades for university applications
Universities do not receive individual GCSE grade certificates directly through UCAS. Students self-report GCSE grades on their UCAS application. Conditional offers from universities may include minimum GCSE requirements - commonly grades 5 or 6 in English and maths for academically competitive courses. Some courses at higher-tariff universities specify minimum grades in specific GCSE subjects.
What is a grade 9 in GCSE equivalent to?
Grade 9 is above the old A* grade and represents the very highest level of attainment. It is awarded to a small proportion of students in each subject each year and cannot be directly translated to the old A* to G scale.
Is grade 4 or grade 5 a pass at GCSE?
Both are classed as passes. Grade 4 is a standard pass, broadly equivalent to the old grade C. Grade 5 is a strong pass. Which grade counts as a pass depends on the requirements of the institution or employer you are applying to.
Do GCSE grades matter for university?
GCSE grades are reviewed by some universities as part of the admissions process, particularly for competitive courses. Universities typically look at GCSE grades in English, maths and relevant subjects. However, A-level or equivalent qualifications carry more weight in most applications.
