Today, 24th August spells ‘Results Day’ for many GCSE students anxiously waiting all over the country. This summer, however, there is something quite different to the grading system as a part of the government’s aim to revamp teaching and reorganise secondary school qualifications. So, if this affects you, read on to find out exactly what these changes may mean for you and your results!
Previously, GCSE grading has followed the traditional A*- U system that has been in place for many years. However, this academic year, a new numbered structure has been introduced for the first time. Grades will now reflect a 1-9 assessment method, with 9 being the highest and 1 the lowest.
Despite claims from the Department of Education declaring that the content of these new GCSEs will be much more ‘challenging’ than previous years, the Association of School and College Leaders insists that the grades between the old and new systems are incomparable since they are so differential in terms of content.
Nevertheless, there are certain guidelines that may provide you with some clarity if you are wondering just how well a ‘9’, ‘8’ or ‘7’ is in terms of the previous system. There are three certain points where the old and new align; grade ‘1’ would translate as a grade ‘G’, grade ‘4’ a ‘C,’ which has also been described as a ‘standard pass’ mark, and grade ‘7’ is in line with the previous ‘A.’ Grade 9 is perhaps the most revolutionary since it sits above an A* on the grading scale and is said to carry the purpose of distinguishing the highest achievers in an aim to differentiate student abilities even more so than previous years.
It is important to point out that this year the new grading system will only be applied to English Literature, English Language and Maths and will only occur in English institutions and will not be affecting Wales or Northern Ireland. Over the next two years the rest of the subjects will follow but for this year only the aforementioned three will adopt a numbered grade and the remaining shall have stick to the tradition for now.
From all of us at UK University Search, we wish you the best of luck and hope you get the grades you desire - whichever number or letter that may be!
- By Gemma Beckingham
