GCSE grades 9 to 1 explained: what each grade means
How GCSE grading works in England: the 9 to 1 scale, what a standard and strong pass means and how grade boundaries work.
GCSECurriculum fit: GCSE grading in England (9 to 1 scale). Other UK nations use different arrangements. Always confirm current rules with your exam board and the government's current guidance.
On this page
What is it?
In England, GCSEs are graded from 9 (the highest) to 1 (the lowest), plus U for ungraded. This replaced the old A* to G scale, with English language, English literature and maths among the first subjects graded this way in 2017.
Government material describes grade 4 as a 'standard pass' and grade 5 as a 'strong pass'. Schools, colleges and employers set their own entry requirements, so check what you need.
Key formulas and ideas
- Grades run from 9 (highest) to 1, plus U.
- Grade 4 is recognised as a 'standard pass' and grade 5 as a 'strong pass'.
- Government material describes a grade 4 as marking a similar achievement to the old grade C, and AQA describes grade 5 as equivalent to a high C and low B on the old system.
- Grade boundaries (the marks needed for each grade) are set by exam boards each year.
Worked examples
Example 1: Convert a grade
Question: Roughly which old grade does grade 5 compare to?
- AQA describes grade 5 as a strong pass.
- It describes grade 5 as equivalent to a high C and low B on the old grading system.
Answer: A high C and low B
Example 2: What counts as a pass?
Question: A student gets a grade 4 in maths. Is it a pass?
- Government material treats grade 4 and above as a standard pass.
- A grade 5 or above is described as a strong pass.
Answer: Yes, a standard pass (grade 5 would be a strong pass)
Example 3: Grade boundaries
Question: Why might the marks needed for a grade 6 differ between two years?
- Exam boards set grade boundaries each year.
- They take into account the difficulty of the papers.
Answer: Boundaries are set each year and can change
Common mistakes
- Assuming the 9 to 1 scale applies in every UK nation.
- Thinking grade 9 is the same as the old A*.
- Assuming that grade boundaries stay the same each year.
- Using unofficial sources for entry requirements.
Practice questions
Frequently asked questions
Are grade boundaries the same every year?
No. Exam boards set grade boundaries each year, so the marks needed for each grade can change.
Where can I check the latest rules?
On your exam board's website, your school or college, and current government guidance. Rules about resits and entry requirements can change.
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Reviewed by StudyMorrow editorial review on 5 Nov 2026.