gcse coursework grades

Oxford Education Blog

The latest news and views on education from oxford university press..

GCSEs and GCSE grading explained

GCSEs (General Certificate of Secondary Education) are the main academic qualification taken in several subjects by the vast majority of pupils in secondary education in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. But, in England, there have been significant reforms to many of the topics studied within the subjects, as well as to the examinations themselves and the grading system. So how do the new exams differ from the many previous variations you might be familiar with? When did the changes begin? And how does the new grading system compare to the well-known A* to G grades?

The changes begin

The new GCSE format was part of a large-scale programme of reforms introduced in England’s schools in 2014.

• The new courses include much less coursework (or controlled assessment) than before, with only some of the more practical subjects like Dance, Art and Drama containing this element of assessment.
• Most exams will now be taken at the end of a two-year course , removing the module system that was previously in place for some subjects where students took exams along the way that counted towards a final grade. This will make the exams at the end of the course more important, as students will be required to draw on what they have learned over several years of study. In many subjects, students will also be required to answer more essay-style questions, too.
• There is also a new 9 to 1 grading system being phased in.

The 9 to 1 grades

A new 9 to 1 grading scheme has been introduced by the Department for Education in the hope that the new GCSEs will “better differentiate between students of different abilities”, by allowing greater differentiation for the top levels. The table below shows how the new GCSE grades compare to the old ones – although the DfE is clear to point out that each grade cannot be directly compared, there are places where they can be aligned.

The new grades explained

The new Grade 9 has been introduced to allow colleges and universities to identify those students with exceptional ability in particular subject areas.  A Grade 9 is not the equivalent of an A*. It is a grade that has been included to recognise the highest performing students. There will be fewer Grade 9s awarded than there were A*s previously.

Grades 8, 7 and 6

Roughly, Grade 8 sits between an A* and an A grade. Grade 7 is equal to an A and Grade 6 sits just a bit higher than the old B Grade.

Grades 4 and 5

These grades represent a ‘pass’ mark, equivalent of an old C Grade. Grade 4 is considered a ‘standard pass’ and Grade 5 a ‘strong pass’. Schools will be measured by the number of students achieving a Grade 4 and above – but they will also be measured on the proportion of students who achieve a Grade 5 and above. It is hoped that the Grade 5 will be considered the benchmark when comparing educational establishments both in this country and abroad.

Grades 3, 2 and 1

These grades correspond to old GCSE grades D, E, F and G. Grade 3 ranks somewhere in-between a D and an E, whilst Grade 2 is somewhere between an E and an F. A Grade 1 is similar to an old G Grade, and a U grade still refers to an exam that has been ‘ungraded’ – it simply did not achieve sufficient marks to get onto the scale.

The GCSE timeline

English Language, English Literature and Maths were the first to be graded from 9 to 1 in 2017. There is no Foundation Level in the new English GCSEs, so students of all abilities take the same exams. The vast majority of subjects converted to 9 to 1 grading in 2018, with most others following this year. In Science, for example, there are now fewer course options than previously, with most students taking either the new Combined Science course (worth two GCSEs) or three separate GCSEs in Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

Are GCSE exams changing everywhere?

New and revised GCSEs were introduced in Wales too, which have been taught from 2015. However, students in Wales will still receive their grades in the A* to G format. In Northern Ireland, three-quarters of GCSEs are awarded by their Council for the Curriculum, Examinations & Assessment (CCEA), which follows an A*to G grading system – but if students sit exams from other exam boards such as AQA, OCR, Edexcel or WJEC, they will also receive grades from 9 to 1. Students in Scotland follow an entirely different public examination system: Nationals and Highers.

Why are GCSE grades important?

There are a number of different reasons why GCSE grades are important to students. When they choose a course at a college or sixth form, they will be given entry requirements for the course they have chosen. The grades are an indicator to colleges and sixth forms of how well the student might do on different courses, whether they are A Level or vocational subjects. Some colleges and sixth forms may only allow your child to take particular subjects at A Level if they have achieved some of the higher grades at GCSE.

Also, GCSEs are used as an indicator to universities. Most universities will look at the number of GCSEs achieved above a Grade 4. They may also require particular grades in specific subjects at GCSE when admitting students onto some of the courses they offer.

What happens if grades are lower than expected?

If your child doesn’t achieve the grade they expected, or are disappointed with the grades they achieve, speak to their school and teachers who will be able to explain what their options are. If some of the grades do not meet requirements, it is possible to re-sit several subjects including English and Maths. It is often possible to re-sit these whilst you have started a new college course. Re-sits in other subjects can often be taken in the Summer of the following year.

However, as a parent or carer, whatever grades your child is predicted to achieve, if you are unsure of what the grade means or how you can support them to achieve (or exceed) this grade, it is important you speak to their teachers who will be able to explain what is expected of them.

Aaron Wilkes is one of the leading history authors in school publishing as well as teaching for over 20 years in a variety of schools in the West Midlands and delivering professional development courses all over the world. He’s also dad to two children – his eldest has just completed her GCSE courses, whilst his youngest will soon be moving into Year 9.

Share this:

by Aaron Wilkes | Jul 4, 2018

The new GCSEs explained – what’s changed and how the new grades work

GCSEs (General Certificate of Secondary Education) are the main academic qualification taken in several subjects by the vast majority of pupils in secondary education in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

In England, there have been significant reforms to many topics studied within the subjects, as well as to the grading system and examinations themselves. So how do the new exams differ from the many previous variations you might be familiar with? When did the changes begin? And how does the new grading system compare to the well-known A* to G grades?

The changes begin

The new GCSE format was part of a large-scale programme of reforms introduced in England’s schools in 2014.

• The new courses include  much less coursework  (or controlled assessment) than before, with only some of the more practical subjects like dance, art and drama retaining this element of assessment.
• Most exams will now be taken at the end of a two-year course , removing the module system that was previously in place for some subjects where students took exams that counted towards a final grade along the way. This will make the exams at the end of the course more important, as students will be required to draw on what they have learned over several years of study. In many subjects, students will also be required to answer more essay-style questions, too.
• A new  9 to 1 grading system  is also being phased in.

The 9 to 1 grades

A new 9 to 1 grading scheme has been introduced by the Department for Education in the hope that the new GCSEs will ‘better differentiate between students of different abilities’ by allowing greater differentiation at the top levels. The table below shows how the new GCSE grades compare to the old ones – although the DfE is clear to point out that each grade cannot be directly compared, there are places where they can be aligned.

The new grades explained

The new Grade 9 has been introduced to allow colleges and universities to identify those students with exceptional ability in particular subject areas. A Grade 9 is not the equivalent of an A*. It is a grade that has been included to recognise the highest performing students. There will be fewer Grade 9s awarded than there were A*s previously. In fact, Dr Tim Leunig (the DfE’s chief analyst and chief scientific adviser) has predicted that under the new system only two students in the whole country will receive Grade 9s in every subject. So your child should not worry if they don’t achieve a Grade 9!

Grades 8, 7 and 6

Grade 8 sits roughly between an A* and an A grade. Grade 7 is equal to an A and Grade 6 sits just a bit higher than the old B Grade.

Grades 4 and 5

These grades represent a ‘pass’ mark, equivalent of an old C Grade. Grade 4 is considered a ‘standard pass’ and Grade 5 a ‘strong pass’. Schools will be measured by the number of students achieving a Grade 4 and above – but they will also be measured on the proportion of students who achieve a Grade 5 and above. It is hoped that the Grade 5 will be considered the benchmark when comparing educational establishments both in this country and abroad.

Grades 3, 2 and 1

These grades correspond to old GCSE grades D, E, F and G. Grade 3 ranks somewhere in-between a D and an E, whilst Grade 2 is somewhere between an E and an F. A Grade 1 is similar to an old G Grade, and a U grade still refers to an exam that has been ‘ungraded’ – it simply did not achieve sufficient marks to get onto the scale.

The GCSE timeline

English language, English literature and maths were the first to be graded from 9 to 1 in 2017. There is no Foundation Level in the new English GCSEs, so students of all abilities take the same exams. The vast majority of subjects will have 9 to 1 grading this year (2018), with most others following a year later. In science, for example, there are now fewer course options than previously, with most students taking either the new Combined Science course (worth two GCSEs) or three separate GCSEs in biology, chemistry and physics. During this transition period, students will receive a mixture of number and letter grades.

Are GCSE exams changing everywhere?

New and revised GCSEs were introduced in Wales too, and have been taught since 2015. However, students in Wales will still receive their grades in the A* to G format. In Northern Ireland, three-quarters of GCSEs are awarded by their Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA), which follows an A* to G grading system – but if students sit exams from other exam boards such as AQA, OCR, Edexcel or WJEC, they will also receive grades from 1 to 9. Students in Scotland follow an entirely different public examination system: Nationals and Highers.

Why are GCSE grades important?

There are number of different reasons why GCSE grades are important to students. When they choose a course at a college or sixth form, they will be given entry requirements for the course they have chosen. The grades are an indicator to colleges and sixth forms on how well the student might do on different courses, whether they are A-Level or vocational subjects. Some colleges and sixth forms may only allow your child to take particular subjects at A-Level if they have achieved some of the higher grades at GCSE.

Also, GCSEs are used as an indicator to universities. Most universities will look at the number of GCSEs achieved above a Grade 4. They may also require particular grades in specific subjects at GCSE when admitting students onto some of the courses they offer.

What happens if grades are lower than expected?

If your child doesn’t achieve the grade they expected, or they are disappointed with the grades they achieve, speak to their school and their teachers. They will be able to explain what your child’s options are. If some of the grades do not meet requirements, it is possible to re-sit several subjects including English and maths. It is often possible to re-sit these after you have started a new college course. Re-sits in other subjects can often be taken in the summer of the following year.

However, as a parent or carer, whatever grades your child is predicted to achieve, if you are unsure of what the grade means or how you can support them to achieve (or exceed) this grade, it is important you speak to their teachers who will be able to explain what is expected of them.

More from Oxford Owl

• Blog: How to support your child during GCSEs

Books to support learning at home

Please note: all book links lead to more information on Amazon.co.uk

AQA GCSE English Language: Targeting Grades 6–9: Revision Workbook

This full-colour write-in revision workbook focuses on how to achieve grades 6–9 by taking students through the individual exam questions and providing extensive practice opportunities, self-assessments, sample student answers, revision tips and sample exam papers.

Buy on Amazon >

AQA GCSE Geography 9–1: Revision Guide

A student-friendly and engaging revision guide for the 2016 AQA GCSE Geography (9–1) specification, featuring:

• Easy to digest, specification-specific content that recaps and summarizes essential knowledge into manageable chunks.
• Revision activities and six-second summaries to prepare students for their first external exams.
• Revision checklists help monitor students’ progress.

AQA GCSE History 9–1: Germany 1890–1945 Democracy and Dictatorship Revision Guide

This Germany 1890–1945 Democracy and Dictatorship Revision Guide is part of the popular Oxford AQA GCSE History series. Written to match the new AQA specification, this guide covers everything students need to know to succeed in the Paper 1 Germany Period Study exams. The book includes key event recaps with diagrams and brief points, revision activities, exam-style questions, progress checklists, and up-to-date expert advice on exam technique.

AQA GCSE Religious Studies A: Christianity and Islam Revision Guide

Building on the Oxford AQA GCSE Religious Studies Student Books, this revision guide offers a structured approach to revising for the new 9–1 exams.

This revision guide is ideal for students combining Christianity and Islam. With all the essential content condensed and made memorable, and plenty of exam practice, tips and annotated sample answers, students can confidently prepare for their new exams.

AQA GCSE Biology Revision Guide

Specifically tailored for the 2016 AQA GCSE Science (9–1) specifications, this revision guide supports students on their journey from Key Stage 3 through to success in the new linear GCSE qualifications.

This revision guide includes differentiated questions to help all students make progress and build confidence, synoptic links to help students make connections between topics, support for the increased mathematical demands of the specifications, support for answering the new practical questions, checklists to help monitor progress, and exam-style practice questions.

Written by Aaron Wilkes

Aaron Wilkes is one of the leading history authors in school publishing as well as teaching for over 20 years in a variety of schools in the West Midlands. He's also dad to two children in secondary school. His eldest is currently in the middle of her GCSE courses, whilst his youngest has just moved up to 'big school’.

Posted in Age , Age 11+ , At school , School Year , Secondary , Top tips , Topic

• Reading & phonics

How do GCSE grades work?

Confused about how GCSE grades work? We unpack the GCSE grading system and how students will be assessed.

See what you could study at uni

What's the gcse grading system, what's a gcse strong pass, what's a gcse standard pass, how are gcse students assessed, gcse grades in wales, gcse grades in northern ireland, do universities care about gcse grades.

The GCSE grading system in England runs on a scale from 9 to 1. The highest grade you can get is a 9, with 1 being the lowest. This system was introduced in 2017, replacing the old GCSE grading system that awarded students letter grades from A* to G.

In the current grading system, a score of 9, 8 and 7 are equivalent to an A* and A. A 9 is for a student who has performed exceptionally well. A grade of 4 is the equivalent of a C grade, known as a standard pass. A grade of 5 is also a C grade but is known as a strong pass.

This is a grade of 5, which is a pass mark. It sits between a grade B and a grade C in the old number grading system.

This refers to a grade of 4, which is also a pass. It’s directly equivalent to a grade C in the old number grading system. Most university courses require that you have at least a grade C/4 in your GCSEs.

You’ll be assessed at the end of most courses with a final exam. You’ll receive a final number grade based on how you perform in this assessment. This is different to getting a grade for each component within the course, as there’s less coursework than when the old grading system was in place.

You’ll follow a letter grading system if you’re a Welsh GCSE student. Grades can range from A*  to G. For some courses, you’ll be awarded grades throughout the year. For others, you’ll only be assessed with a final exam.

Below is a table that outlines how the English GCSE grading system of numbers corresponds with the Welsh system of letter grades:

You’ll also have a numbered grading system of A* to G if you’re a GCSE student in Northern Ireland unless your exams are set by an English exam board. If so, you’ll be under England’s numbered grading system.

You may receive both number and letter grades depending on your examining body. Some courses will grade your modules throughout the year, while others will only grade your end-of-year exam.

While A-levels and BTEC grades will often be listen in university entry requirements, many courses will also GCSE grades in entry requirements too – so don't go losing your GCSE certificates after you get them! If you want to start doing some early research on what grades universities are looking for, use our handy course search or university search tools, which can show you entry requirements for your subject, alongside loads of other useful bits of information.

How to revise for GCSEs

How to make a revision timetable

There are loads of excellent courses available for you to study at unis across the UK

Similar articles

YOUR UCAS POINTS 0

Please wait

GCSEs: Unraveling the new (9-1) Grading System 2024

• How are GCSEs graded?

GCSEs in England have been reformed to keep pace with universities’ and employers’ demands. They are based on new and more demanding subject content but are still suitable for the same wide range of abilities. 

• The new grade scale makes it clear to everyone that students have studied the new GCSEs. 
• It also has more higher grades compared to the old A* to G grades, to give sixth forms, colleges, universities and employers the opportunity to better distinguish between students of different abilities.

Table of contents

Why was the gcse grading system changed, how important are gcses, what is the difference between an a* and a 9, is there any difference between a c and a 4, does this mean gcses are harder, are all gcse subjects now under the new grading system, do these new grades apply across the uk, how do i get gcse results, will my child be disadvantaged by these exams.

In the past GCSE students were given marks between A* (the highest) and G (the lowest). Scores below a G were marked as U for ‘ungraded’. However, things have changed. Grades now range from 9 (highest) to 1 (lowest). Here’s how the new grades compare to the old:

    Grade 9 – The top mark is even higher than the old A*

    Grade 8 – Below an A* but above an A

    Grade 7 – Slightly below an A but only just

    Grade 6 – Slightly better than a B

    Grade 5 – Below a B but above a C. Also called a ‘strong pass’

    Grade 4 – Equivalent of a C. Also called a ‘standard pass’

    Grade 3 – Below a D but above an E

    Grade 2 – Between an E and an F

    Grade 1 – Between an F and a G

    Ungraded - The lowest mark possible. As in the old system, a U denotes a fail

The new GCSE grading system was introduced to differentiate between the very highest performing children. Along with the change in marking, some of the questions have changed too and are now a little more challenging. The aim is to find the very brightest pupils. In 2017 only 3% of students managed to score the much sought-after Grade 9.

GCSEs are the most important exams students take before college or university. The results have a huge effect on pupils’ futures. Many college courses require a minimum of 5 GCSEs at grade 4 or above (C or more in the old grading system) and some demand five grade 6s (A or A*).

Some college courses only accept students with grade 6 or more (A or A*) in that subject for GCSE and universities often require a minimum of grade 4 (C or above) in English, maths and at least one science before they will accept you for any course.

How well students do in their GCSEs is the only real indication colleges have of potential students’ abilities. So, with further education and career in mind, GCSEs may well be the most important exams of all.

But the days of A*-G grades are almost gone, and parents and children alike this August will be learning to get their heads around the new 9-1 grading system for the majority of subjects.

The new number system replacing the traditional A* - G grades does not offer a complete like-for-like comparison with the old system - which exams watchdog Ofqual has warned against doing - but it is possible to roughly translate them.

Grades 9, 8 and 7 are the top marks available, with a 7 roughly translating to an A grade. The old A* grade sits between an 8 and a 9 in the new system. Scoring a 6 or a 5 is akin to a B grade, while a 4 is close to a C grade, and numbers 3, 2, and 1 sit between the old D, E, F, and G marks. The numbers system has kept the U mark, which means ungraded.

The three grades at the top end of the spectrum are designed to better differentiate between the A and A* grades, but Ofqual has said that students scoring a 9 have “performed exceptionally”. Ofqual said there will not be as many grade 9s awarded as there have been A*s in the past.

Furthermore, the highest grade of 9 isn’t exactly the same as an old money A*: essentially it’s better, as an 8 is also roughly equivalent to the lower half of the A* band and a higher A.

Under the numerical system relatively few students should be achieving grade 9s in normal years, as they will effectively be rationed.

The grades are supposed to better differentiate between students of different abilities. But Ofqual says that “in the first year each new GCSE subject is introduced, broadly the same proportion of students will get a grade 4 or above as would have got a grade C in or above in the old system”.

Attainment of a GCSE for individual students at any grade should be considered an achievement where a student is reaching their potential.

Broadly speaking, a C is equivalent to the new ‘4’ in reformed GCSE qualifications and Grade 4 will be the grade required for progression by most universities, FE providers and employers. This is - and will remain - the level that pupils must achieve in order not to be required to continue studying English and maths post 16.

The Department for Education (DfE) has confirmed that Grade 4 will be considered a 'standard pass' and Grade 5 a 'strong pass' for the purposes of performance tables. This is a change from the previous position, where Grade 5 was to be the headline performance table measure.

Scoring a grade 4 in any subject is considered a “standard pass” that should be “valued as a passport to future study and employment,” the government states, while a 5 in English or maths is considered a “strong pass”.

The new GCSEs are supposed to be more challenging and demanding than previous years, which school leaders have said have put students under additional pressure.

The changes, which were initiated by former education secretary Michael Gove in 2014, have been made “to give young people the skills they need to succeed in 21st century Britain,” according to the Department of Education. 

The new system means students produce much less coursework than in previous years, with the majority of their marks depending on their performance during exams.

Another part of the GCSE reforms will see students who do not achieve a grade 4 or higher in English and maths will be required to continue these subjects after their GCSEs.

Not quite yet. The number grades were introduced for the first time last year, but only for English language, English literature and maths. This year 20 more subjects have been added to the system, with the rest added by 2020, meaning students will still receive a mixture of numbers and letters for their grades this summer.

    The subjects that will graded by numbers as of this year are:

•     Ancient languages (classical Greek, Latin)
•     Art and design
•     Biology
•     Chemistry
•     Citizenship studies
•     Combined science (double award)
•     Computer science
•     Dance
•     Drama
•     Food preparation and nutrition
•     Geography
•     History
•     Modern foreign languages (French, German, Spanish)
•     Music
•     Physics
•     Physical education
•     Religious studies

No, this change is just for students in England. While GCSEs have undergone changes in Northern Ireland and Wales, they are not switching to the new numbers system. Students in Scotland use a different system entirely, consisting of Nationals and Highers.

Year 11 students can collect their grades on Thursday 12 August from 8.00am – results day has been brought forward by a couple of weeks this year to allow for pupils to submit appeals.

Unlike last year where results were distributed electronically due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the results can be collected from the school in-person this time around.

It is best to double check the school’s arrangements, as some schools may have opted for a different opening time or may have removed in-person collection arrangements altogether by arranging postal or digital distributions.

In short, no. We know that it takes a few years for teachers and students to get used to new qualifications. 

• There are fewer past exam papers for students to practise on, fewer teaching resources available, and teachers are not as familiar with the new qualifications as they were with the old ones.
•  They recognise that it would not be fair to penalise students for this, so the exam boards use statistics to help set grade boundaries, so that, for example, a student who would have previously got a grade C or above would be expected to get a grade 4 or above in the new GCSEs. 
• So while the content and assessment have changed, don’t worry, the grades are awarded fairly and your child will not be disadvantaged by the changes.

The (9-1) grading system is a new way to assess GCSEs, with 9 being the highest grade and 1 the lowest.

The 2023 GCSEs have updated content and a more extensive grading scale compared to the old A* to G system.

Yes, the 2023 GCSEs are designed to be more demanding, aligning with the expectations of universities and employers.

The expanded range allows for better differentiation among students, benefitting sixth forms, colleges, universities, and employers.

Colleges will consider the new grading system alongside other admission criteria to make informed decisions.

Yes, the new GCSEs are suitable for a wide range of abilities, ensuring inclusivity and equal opportunities.

Dear Parent, Before You Leave...

Subscribe to Newsletter

** Get 10% off coupon code on your first order, valid sitewide.

PiAcademy Partners

Follow us on

More than 20,000 registered members!

Exam papers.

© 2014 - 2024 PiAcademy Limited, All Rights Reserved

We use cookies to personalise your experience.

GCSE Grades and Grade Boundaries Explained

Table of Contents:

What does a gcse strong pass mean, what constitutes a gcse standard pass, gcse grade boundaries throughout the years, gcse grades explained, how gcse grade boundaries work, who sets gcse grade boundaries, what data do senior examiners use to determine grade boundaries, when are gcse grade boundaries published, why is it important to understand gcse grade boundaries.

GCSE grades are a vital component of the UK education system. They can determine a student’s future educational and career prospects, so it’s essential to understand what they are and where grade boundaries come from .

The GCSE Levels of the new 9-1 grading system has added an extra layer of complexity, leaving many students and parents feeling uncertain about what grades to expect and what they mean.

In this article, we will provide a comprehensive guide to GCSE grades and grade boundaries, explaining what they are, how they work, and how to interpret your results. We will also cover some additional considerations, such as how grading varies between subjects and exam boards , and what the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been on GCSE grades.

A strong pass in the GCSE is classified as achieving a grade 5. This level of performance is positioned midway between a B and a C in the traditional grading system.

A standard pass at GCSE is denoted by a grade 4. This grade aligns directly with a C grade under the former numerical grading system. It’s important to note that a majority of university programmes stipulate a minimum requirement of a C grade, or its equivalent.

The New GCSE Grading System

In 2017, the GCSE grading system in England began to change from the traditional A*-G to a numerical system of 9-1 GCSE Levels.

This change was implemented to bring the English standards up to par with other high-performing countries and reflect the new and more demanding content of the courses and the linear assessment of courses.

• In the current grading system grades 7-9 are equivalent to the old grades A and A*.
• The bottom of grade 7 aligns with the bottom of grade A.
• Grades 4-6 are equivalent to the old grades B and C.
• The bottom of grade 4 aligns with the bottom of grade C
• The system has been designed so that the bottom of grade 1 aligns with the bottom of grade G.

The new grading system allows for more differentiation among the higher grades , with a grade 9 being higher than an A*. Roughly the top 20% of students who achieve a grade 7 or above will achieve a grade 9. Grade 5 is considered a ‘good pass’, while grade 4 is a ‘standard pass’.

GCSE grade boundaries are the minimum marks required to achieve a particular grade in a subject. These boundaries are set by the exam boards after each exam series and are based on the performance of the students who took the exam.

The grade boundaries are not fixed, and they can vary from one exam series to another, depending on the difficulty of the exam and the performance of the students. In general, the grade boundaries are higher for more difficult exams and lower for easier exams.

It’s worth noting that the grade boundaries are not arbitrary and are based on statistical data from the exam results. The exam boards use statistical methods to determine the grade boundaries, which ensures that the grades are awarded fairly and accurately.

Each year, the GCSE grade boundaries are set by senior examiners and vary slightly for each subject to ensure the system is fair for students. The new grading system is intended to give sixth forms , colleges, universities, and employers a better idea of a student’s level of achievement and allows for micro-distinguishing between the various grades, such as 7, 8, and 9.

Let’s take the GCSE maths grade boundaries of the Pearson Edexcel exam board.

In addition to the general principles of how GCSE grade boundaries work, there are some other factors that may affect the grade boundaries for a particular subject or exam series. These include:

Difficulty of the exam

If an exam is considered to be more difficult than previous years, the grade boundaries may be lowered to ensure that students are not unfairly penalized for a more challenging test.

Scaling and moderation

To ensure that grades are consistent across different exam boards and subjects, a process of scaling and moderation is used. This involves adjusting the raw marks to account for differences in difficulty between different exams or subjects. More detailed explanation about WJEC and Eduqas in our blog post.

Tiered exams

Some GCSEs are offered as tiered exams, where students can choose to take either a foundation or higher tier paper. The grade boundaries for these exams may differ depending on the tier chosen, with higher boundaries for the higher tier and lower boundaries for the foundation tier.

Coursework and controlled assessment

Some GCSEs include coursework or controlled assessment as part of the final grade. The grade boundaries for these components may be set separately from the exam component, and may vary depending on the year and the subject.

The grade boundaries are usually published on the exam board’s website a few days after the results are released . This allows students to see how close they were to achieve a higher grade and provides transparency in the marking process.

Understanding GCSE grade boundaries is crucial for students and teachers to assess performance and determine grades. These boundaries are set by exam boards and represent the minimum mark needed to achieve a particular grade. For example, if the grade boundary for a grade 7 in a particular GCSE exam is 70 marks, any student who scores 70 marks or above will receive a grade 7.

Grade boundaries can change from year to year. Therefore, it’s essential to review the grade boundaries for the specific exam and exam board that you are taking to ensure a clear understanding of what marks are required to achieve a particular grade.

In conclusion, understanding the GCSE grading system and grade boundaries is crucial for students, parents, and educators. The grading system has undergone significant changes in recent years, with the new numerical scale replacing the traditional letter grades.

It’s essential to understand that grade boundaries can vary between subjects and exam boards, and they can also change each year. Students should aim to perform to the best of their abilities, rather than focusing solely on achieving a specific grade. Teachers and schools play an important role in supporting students and providing accurate information about grading systems and grade boundaries. By having a clear understanding of the grading system and grade boundaries, students can make informed decisions and take steps towards achieving their academic goals.

If you just learned something new, feel free to share this article with your fellow GCSE students so they can benefit too. And if you’re looking for help with grade boundaries or need insider tips from someone who’s already aced their GCSEs, you can schedule a free meeting with expert GCSE tutors .

What is a 4 in GCSE?

Grade 4 corresponds to C grade and it’s considered as a strong pass standard pass

What is a 5 in GCSE?

Grade 5 corresponds to C grade and it’s considered as a strong pass

What is a 6 in GCSE?

Grade 6 corresponds to a level slightly higher than a B grade .

What is a 7 in GCSE?

Grade 7 corresponds to a A* and A .

What is a 9 equivalent to in GCSE?

Grade 9 corresponds to a A* highest grade

What do the grades 1 – 9 mean for GCSE?

The revamped (GCSE) General Certificate of Secondary Education assessments will now utilise a grading system that stretches from 9, marking the pinnacle of achievement, down to 1, representing the baseline level. This refreshed grading mechanism is set to correspond with crucial benchmarks within the existing A* to G framework. Essentially, the distribution of students attaining at least a grade 1 will mirror the current pattern of those securing a grade G or higher. The aim is to maintain a consistent measure of performance, while making the grading scale clear for students to understand.

What does GCSE stand for

GCSE stands for General Certificate of Secondary Education. It is a key part of the National Curriculum in the UK.

What are new GCSE grades equivalent to?

In the current grading system grades 7-9 are equivalent to the old grades A and A*. The bottom of grade 7 aligns with the bottom of grade A. Grades 4-6 are equivalent to the old grades B and C. The bottom of grade 4 aligns with the bottom of grade C. The system has been designed so that the bottom of grade 1 aligns with the bottom of grade G.

• GCSE Grades
• Grade Boundaries

Weekly UK Education News – Week of June 4, 2023

GCSE Biology – Infection and Response

Find a tutor.

Online tutors from top UK universities

By submitting this form you agree to be contacted by Edumentors

Recent Posts

We are educating children from 11 different countries

Fill out this form to get matched with a tutor & book a free trial

Get matched with a tutor & book a free trial.

Consult with expert and request free trial session

Request was sent

Thank you for submitting the form. One of our team members will be in touch with you soon

Which GCSEs Have Coursework?

In GCSE by Think Student Editor September 23, 2022 Leave a Comment

If you’re currently trying to decide which GCSEs you should take, it’s important to know whether the option you’re considering will involve coursework. Coursework is a useful way of showing your ability outside of taking written exams. Coursework can allow you to: take more responsibility for what you study, study a topic in more depth, and have more control over the pace at which you study.

To understand which subjects involve coursework and learn the percentage of coursework and exams in these subjects, keep reading this article.

Table of Contents

Do GCSEs still have coursework?

After new education plans were introduced in 2015, most GCSEs no longer include any coursework that count towards students’ final grades. Before this, there would be coursework tasks even in subjects such as maths and English.

In some subjects coursework was done through long written tasks, whereas in maths this was done through a handling data project and an applying mathematics task. In English Language, 40% of the end grade used to be from coursework. This was through assessment of speaking, listening and written assignments.

Despite the recent changes to the GCSE system, all creative and practical subjects do still have some level of coursework. This is because in certain subjects, like Art for example, coursework is necessary for students to demonstrate their talent at particular skills. The subjects that have coursework are Food Preparation & Nutrition, Drama, Art, Music, DT (Design Technology), and PE (Physical education).

What percentage of creative or practical GCSEs is coursework?

No GCSE is currently 100% coursework. There will always be some weighting placed on final exams. All of these final exams are written, apart from Art which is instead a creative project done under time pressure.

Also, it’s important to note that for the same subject, different exam boards may require different amounts of coursework. Make sure to find out which exam board your school uses for the particular subject you’re considering. If your school offers IGCSEs, have a read of this Think Student article to understand the difference between them and normal GCSEs.

Have a look at the table below which has information outlining what percentage of the GCSEs are coursework and exams. This data is from AQA’s website .

In each of these subjects, the type of task to be completed for coursework is completely different. Most exam boards refer to coursework as a non-exam assessment (NEA).  

What does GCSE coursework involve?

In the Food Preparation and Nutrition GCSE, the non-exam assessment mainly consists of a cooking practical. Students will have to prepare, cook and present a final menu of three dishes. The students will then have to write a report about their work and include photographic evidence. To find out more about the Food Preparation and Nutrition course, visit the AQA page .

For the coursework in Drama, there are two different components. One involves performing a group devised mini play and keeping a log of the creation process. The other involves performing two extracts from a play. To find out more about GCSE Drama, visit the AQA page .

In GCSE Art, the coursework component consists of selecting and presenting a portfolio representative of their course of study. The portfolio must include one main project as well as a selection of other work from activities such as experiments, skills-based workshops, or responses to gallery visits. To find out more about GCSE Art, visit the AQA page .

In GCSE Music, students must do both an ensemble performance and a solo performance using the instrument of their choice (which can be voice). They must also create two different music compositions. To find out more about GCSE Music, visit the AQA page .

For coursework in GCSE DT, students must design and produce a product. This will involve investigating design possibilities, planning, creating their idea, and evaluating the end result. At school, students will have to use special equipment such as machines and saws. To find out more about GCSE DT, visit the AQA page .

For coursework in GCSE PE, students will be assessed through their performance in three different sports or physical activities of their choice. One has to be a team activity, one an individual activity, and the third either a team or individual activity. Students will also be assessed on their analysis and evaluation of their improvements in performance.  To find out more about GCSE PE, visit the AQA page .

Does GCSE Science have coursework?

GCSE Science doesn’t involve any graded coursework. However, there is a list of required practicals that students are supposed to complete. These science practicals will involve following instructions set out by the teacher to investigate materials or scientific principles.  Students will often have to write up the method and conclusion. It’s important that students try their best to understand these practicals as there will be questions about them that are worth several marks in the exams.

Does GCSE English have coursework?

GCSE English technically doesn’t have any coursework that has a weighting on the final grade. However, in English Language there’s a compulsory spoken language assessment that isn’t done at the same time as normal GCSE exams. It’s reported as a separate grade (either Pass, Merit, Distinction or Not Classified) and doesn’t contribute to the result of the GCSE English Language qualification. To learn more about the spoken language assessment, have a look at this AQA page .

For English Literature, despite there not being any coursework tasks, there are of course novels and poems that students need to become familiar with in order to pass the GCSE. This will have to be done throughout Year 10 and Year 11. Students might be set the homework of reading a couple of chapters for example.

What are some tips for completing GCSE coursework?

If you’re deciding to do one or multiple GCSE subjects that involve coursework, it’s crucial that you can be organised enough to complete them to the best possible standard. As seen from the table shown previously, coursework makes up a significant proportion of the final grade. To have the best chance at getting a high grade, you’ll need to put an adequate amount of time into the task and not treat it as trivial.

In GCSE Art in particular, there is a lot of work that will need to be completed throughout the two-year course. A lot of homework will end up being graded for coursework as they will go in your portfolio. GCSE Art is often said to be one of the most stressful GCSEs because of this constant pressure of getting work done on time out of school.

If you love art and want to continue studying it, it’s important to manage your time well and not post-pone completing tasks until the last minute. As soon as you start getting behind with work that needs completing, that’s when you’ll really start to struggle and make things harder for yourself. If you want to learn how to get a good grade in GCSE Art in general, check out this Think Student article .

Make sure that you always note down what you’ve got to get done and by what date. This could be in a physical planner, on an app on your phone, or on a digital calendar. Perhaps set a specific time each weekend to complete any remaining work that you didn’t manage to get done during the week. If you remain on schedule, you’ll significantly reduce any stress plus you’ll have a higher chance of producing your best quality work.

• Skip to content

The Link Between Behaviour & Grades

How behaviour impacts grades and how you can help your child manage them

Building Learning Foundations

How to embed the skills your child needs to do more work in less amount of time

Positive Mindset Shifts Impact

Mindset shift can have transformational impact on your child’s success

The Road To Tough Resilience

How becoming more resilient can keep your child cool in high-pressure situations

Playing To Win In Exams

How you can help your child win and boost their performance no matter what

Irresistible Test & Exam Grades

How you can help your child achieve the best possible grades no matter their skills

Performance Leaning puts your child’s well being and academic excellence at the very core of our approach.

• Behaviour & Grades
• Building Foundations
• Positive Mindset Shifts
• The Road To Resilience
• Playing To Win
• Irresistible Grades
• 30 Min Strategy Call Free

+44 (0) 207 409 5167

Performance Leaning puts your child’s well-being and academic excellence at the very core of our approach.

GCSE Grades Explained: Everything You Need To Know

The General Certificate of Secondary Education or GCSE is the high school qualification applied and accepted in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. For years it has served as a standard of examination across the UK but since 2017, the GCSE grade boundaries began to change from letters to numbers. 

By 2020, all the subjects in the GCSE syllabus had shifted to numerical grading and it has been the same ever since. This article will explore the GCSE grading system and tell you everything you need to know about it including the difference between the old grading method and the reformed grading, what are the new boundaries, and how they are set. 

In this guide, you will find the GCSE grades explained simply and thoroughly.

What is The Difference Between The Old Grading and New Grading System?

The old grading system entailed grades from A* to G with A* being the highest grade and G being the lowest. In contrast, the new grading system runs from 9 to 1, with 9 being the highest grade and 1 being the lowest.

The new grading system allows more differentiation between the higher grades. Numbers 7 to 8 cover the grades A* and A, numbers 4 to 6 cover the grades B to C, and the numbers 1 to 3 cover the grades D to G. The grade U, which means unmarked, remains the same.

In the reformed grading system, the grade 9 is considered higher than the grade A* in the old grading system. 

Explaining The New GCSE Grading System

According to the reformed grading system , the numerical grades would align with the old alphabetic grading in the following way:

• 9 = Higher limit of A* 
• 8 = Lower limit of A* or higher limit of A grade
• 7 = Low A grade
• 6 = High B grade
• 5 = Lower limit of B grade or higher limit of C grade
• 4 = Low C grade
• 3 = D or high E grade
• 2 = Lower limit of E grade or higher limit of F grade
• 1 = Low F or G grade

In order to pass, you need at least a grade of 4 or 5. According to GCSE, grade 4 is considered a standard pass and grade 5 is considered a strong pass. Most of the university courses require you to have a minimum grade of C or 4 in the GCSEs. The alignment of new grades with the old ones maintains continuity and fairness in the marking scheme.

It means that a student who has received a grade of C according to the old marking scheme will now achieve a grade of 4 in the new grading system. This helps education providers, teachers, and employers to compare both of the grading systems.

In terms of GCSE exam papers, the foundation tier exam paper entails a grading scale of 1-5 and the high tier exam paper entails a grading scale of 3-9.

How are GCSE Students Assessed?

Since the reforming of the grading system, all courses in the UK are now linear. Students will be assessed at the end of most courses with a final examination rather than in modules throughout the course.

There is also a difference in the coursework in both of the systems. In the reformed system, there is less coursework than in the old GCSEs. It also includes updated content which is more in touch with the English standards in other high-performing countries.

This change in GCSE courses provides the sixth forms, colleges, universities, and employers with a better understanding of where a student stands. It is an epic opportunity for educational authorities to micro-distinguish between different grades. 

Why Were GCSE Grades Changed in England?

In 2014, the education secretary of the time – Michael Gove – introduced the numerical grading scheme as a part of the curriculum overhaul. The qualifications were designed to make the testing system more challenging for students in order to filter them into fine groups. 

The reformation was intended to put less emphasis on the GCSE coursework and more emphasis on the final examination at the end of the two years. The government argued that with the new grading system, because of this there would be a greater distinction in the academic performance of students and more recognition of the achievements of high-achieving students. 

The new grades keep pace with the demands of universities and employers so that they can distinguish candidates of different capabilities. The new grades also make it clear to institutes that you have studied the new GCSE coursework.

How are GCSEs Graded in Wales?

In September of 2015, the Welsh government introduced a new and reformed grading system for students getting an education in Wales. Although they made some changes in the English language, Mathematics, and Welsh language courses, no other changes were made to the system. 

The Welsh Government chose to retain the old alphabetical grading system (A* to G).

How are GCSEs Graded in Northern Ireland?

In the summer of 2019, the CCEA introduced a reformed grading system, different from the one implemented in England. The new 9 category grade scale included grades from A* to G which also included a C*.

They also added an option of getting grades according to the new English system if the exam is taken by the English board.

Explaining The Ofqual Rules 

In order to ensure that the exam boards are consistent and fair in setting their exam papers, Ofqual set some rules in the design of exam papers. 

According to the Ofqual rules :

• Foundation tier exam paper: Half of the marks should be targeted at grades 1, 2, and the bottom of grade 3 while the other half of the marks should be targeted at the top of grade 3, grade 2 and grade 1.
• Higher tier exam paper: Half of the marks should be targeted at grades 4, 5 and 6 while the other half of the marks should be targeted at grades 7, 8 and 9.

Ofqual aimed to ensure that there is an adequate and equal challenge across all abilities and strengths. In the high-tier papers, the questions are more demanding and only 20% of the questions are designed for a passing grade of 4. This helps to explain the low-grade boundaries for a grade 4 on higher papers.

What are The Boundaries of GCSE Grades?

The GCSE grade boundaries set a required amount of marks that a student needs to achieve in order to receive a particular grade. These grade boundaries are different for different subjects and may even vary from year to year in order to make sure that the grading is fair.

Senior examiners carefully set these boundaries each year and students will receive their grades according to the set limits.

What is The Impact of GCSE Grade Boundaries?

While setting the GCSE grade boundaries, the principle of Comparable Outcomes is closely followed to ensure that it is neither easier nor harder to receive a particular grade from year to year. The principle of comparable outcome states that if an exam paper is harder than the previous year, then the threshold for passing the exam is also lowered to ensure students are fairly graded.

Grade boundaries for every subject can vary and are set only after the exams have been taken and the papers have been marked. Only then after comparing and analyzing the results do senior examiners set a minimum requirement for passing a subject.

Some of the factors that senior examiners consider when setting the GCSE grade boundaries include:

• Analyzing question papers from previous years to assess the difficulty level
• Feedback from fellow examiners about the particular exam paper
• Previous statistics
• Prior data regarding the track record of the cohort of students taking the exam

Hire an Expert Coach to Improve Results

GCSE exams can be challenging but with the new grading system, your kids might struggle more to adjust. To boost exam results, reduce exam anxiety, and improve productivity, students can use the help of a qualified coach who can provide them additional assistance.

The highly competent and incredibly encouraging coaches at Performance Learning not only boost productivity and increase subject knowledge, but also strengthen the character of your child. We believe that a positive mindset can help your kid excel in their career and that’s what we focus on – the entirety of your child’s well being and not just their exam scores.

All You Need To Know To Help Your Child Ace Their GCSES: A free 36-minute training video from Performance Learning. If you are interested in hiring a coach for your kid’s education, book a call today.

• Will students taking the new GCSE exams face any disadvantages?

No. The exam boards ensure that a student is fairly rewarded by using statistics to help set the grade boundaries. Exam boards understand that the new method means that there will be fewer resources for students and even teachers need time to get used to these qualifications. They will consider all the factors before releasing the results.

• What new GCSE grade is a pass?

According to the new grading system, grade 4 is considered a standard pass. 

• When are GCSE grade boundaries released?

Grade boundaries are released on GCSE result day. Earlier, the grade boundaries used to be released prior to the result day but it was later postponed to reduce stress in students who were trying to predict their grades.

You may also like

What Are My GCSE Options?

IGCSE Vs. GCSE: X Differences You Should Know In 2023

Do I Need a GCSE Tutor?

9 Tips In Finding The Best A-Level Tutors In The UK

Leave a comment cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Adding {{itemName}} to cart

Added {{itemName}} to cart

Would you like to explore a topic?

• LEARNING OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL

Or read some of our popular articles?

Free downloadable english gcse past papers with mark scheme.

• 19 May 2022

How Will GCSE Grade Boundaries Affect My Child’s Results?

• Akshat Biyani
• 13 December 2021

The Best Free Homeschooling Resources UK Parents Need to Start Using Today

• Joseph McCrossan
• 18 February 2022

• December 21, 2021

• What are GCSE grade boundaries?

How to read the GCSE number grades?

• What GCSE grade is 70 percent?

What percentage is a 7 in GCSE?

What grade is an 8 in gcse.

• What grades do students need to pass the exam?
• How can a student achieve the perfect GCSE grade score?

Every student works towards performing well academically and achieving the best AQA grades. When it comes to GCSEs , scoring good marks can open doors to good universities and much more. However, achieving a good GCSE grade isn't always easy and requires dedication and perseverance. The question that arises  here is, "What is a good GCSE grade?"

What are GCSE grade boundaries?  

Once GCSE exams have been completed, the exam boards create minimum exam marks or grade limits depending on how students have performed in the papers across the country. 

These grade limits are known as GCSE grade boundaries and they help standardise results year after year by preventing students from being unfairly penalised for scoring low on papers that all students found to be exceptionally challenging that year.

Prior to 2017, students were shown the GCSE grade boundaries before receiving their results. This practice allowed students to try to predict their exam marks long before the results were even announced, which understandably caused a lot of anxiety and stress around waiting for exam results. 

To protect the mental wellness of students, the council decided to modify this practice. In 2017, it was announced that the GCSE AQA grade boundaries would be released on the day of the results for everyone.

Recently, the exam council brought in a new grading scheme called the 9-1 grading system. In this system, the highest grade is a nine, and the lowest is a 1. The previous AQA grades of A* and A are now represented by three number grades: 9, 8, and 7. 

To better understand how to read the new system, we have compared both grades and presented them in a table format in the next section.

With this new system, it is crucial to know how to read and understand your GCSE grades when you get them. So we have created a small data table that can help you compare and understand the new GCSE grade boundaries 2022 in an easier way!

What GCSE grade is 70 per cent?

Since the new 9-1 grading system was introduced, this has been one of the most commonly asked questions. As per the old system, scoring 70 per cent means acquiring a lower grade A. When we compare the old system to the new one, with reference to the table above, we can see that 70 per cent is equivalent to a GCSE grade 7.

This is another frequently asked question regarding the new grading system. Grade 7, according to the old system, means scoring a lower grade A. A student who gets grade 7 (lower A) must have scored approximately 70-82 per cent in their examinations. According to the GCSE 2022 grade boundaries, securing grade 7 is considered a pretty decent score.

As per the previous GCSE grade boundaries system, 8 is a lower A* or high A. This means students who sat the examination must have scored approximately 85 per cent or higher. Securing grade 8 also represents the student's aptitude skills, which are useful when it comes to solving complex and tricky questions. 🧐

What grades do students need to pass the exams?

Below is a list of AQA grades that students need to secure in order to pass the exam :

• A 4 is required for a basic pass , and a 5 is required for a strong pass
• A candidate who receives nine grade 4’s has in theory passed all of their tests
• The government's school league tables are based on the percentage of students who received a 5 or higher in English and maths GCSEs
• Many sixth forms will require a certain number of grade 5’s or 6’s as a condition for admission

How can a student achieve the perfect GCSE grade score? 

Scoring a perfect GCSE grade can open up many opportunities for students. Although a perfect score is tough to achieve, it isn't impossible with the right amount of preparation and, of course, proper guidance. GoStudent can provide that type of guidance and support to help you ace your exams . Book a free trial session today!  

Popular posts

• By Guy Doza

• By Akshat Biyani

• By Joseph McCrossan
• In LEARNING TRENDS

4 Surprising Disadvantages of Homeschooling

• By Andrea Butler

The 12 Best GCSE Revision Apps to Supercharge Your Revision

More great reads:.

Advice From a Teacher: How Can I Help My Child If They Fail Their Mock Exams?

• By Natalie Lever
• January 9, 2024

What Are Mock Exams and Why Are They Important?

• January 8, 2024

SQA Results Day 2023: Important Information About How to Get Scottish Exam Results

• By Sharlene Matharu
• August 3, 2023

Book a free trial session

Sign up for your free tutoring lesson..

• Free Resources
• Register for Free

AQA GCSE Art & Design Grade Boundaries

Every year I seem to lose that useful bit of paper or image that has the AQA GCSE Art & Design grade boundaries on it. So I’m sticking them all in a blog post here. Useful for you and me.

Scroll down to see previous years’ grade boundaries.

Statement to Explain to Students Why their Grade Might Change

Your likely grade might change because:

• The moderator might come in and change the grades. He/She might move the whole cohort up or down.
• The exam board might change the grade boundaries. They may move them up or down.

Historic Art & Design Grade Boundaries

It’s interesting to see how the grade boundaries have changed over time. They don’t usually move by more than one number, however, after covid, there was more of a change. Compare 2019 below to 2022 above.

I am happy to reply to art teachers who comment below, but if you are a student wanting to know what grade you will get, I will not respond as it is your own teacher’s job to answer your questions. (I’ve had far too many and have just deleted then all.)

Useful Resources for Art Teachers:

Stay in the Know

If you’ve found this blog post about AQA GCSE Art & Design Grade Boundaries useful and would like to be kept informed about future posts from The Arty Teacher, click the image below. If you’re an art teacher, you’ll also be able to download 3 of the free resources from this website every month too.

Enjoy this article, Drop it a like

Or share it.

The Arty Teacher

Sarah Crowther is The Arty Teacher. She is a high school art teacher in the North West of England. She strives to share her enthusiasm for art by providing art teachers around the globe with high-quality resources and by sharing her expertise through this blog.

13 responses to “AQA GCSE Art & Design Grade Boundaries”

sorry just some additional info, her school only did component one, the portfolio, maybe that’s why?

All schools have only completed component 1. If the exam board is AQA, it is out of 96. Perhaps your daughter has remembered it incorrectly or the teacher slipped up and meant to say 96?

Hi, my daughter just got told her mark is 63 today, however her teacher told her that it is out of 72. I’m therefore quite confused. she seems to have gotten one of the highest marks in her class but the total mark being 72 isn’t correlating with these grade boundaries. she does fine art

Hi my daughter today received a mark of 50 for her textiles gcse (art & design) which is confusing is this a grade 5?

If the grade boundaries are the same as 2019 a 50 will mean your daughter hasn’t quite reached a 5. She will get a 4. However, it’s possible the grade boundaries might change.

Hi Sarah New teacher here and it’s my first year marking. I have a class of 6 Pupils and 9 pupils, for two different art subjects. Will the moderator we take the whole cohert down. Or do it one by one in a small class?

Hi Sarah, I’m guessing that if you enter the grades for both groups and get one ‘sample’ (list of students who will be moderated) that it would count as one cohort and be treated as such. If you get a separate sample for each class, it would be treated as separate cohorts. With groups that size I imagine all of them will be in the sample. For a definitive answer, why not contact your coursework adviser? If you ring or email your exam board, they will be able to tell you who that is. Moderators don’t change a single student’s mark but look to see if the cohort is in tolerance.

My daughter was given a final grade 73 – do you think this is likely to be a grade 7 or do you think the grade boundaries might be more lenient in 2022?

They might go up or down – it’s anyone’s guess!

My Daughter has been given a grade 63 today from her art teacher for her GCSEs but was told previously her work was at the level of a 7 = A so she is currently upset with her B grade comparing to 2019 grade boundaries, so my question is do you think the grade boundaries will change this year at all due to Covid?

I can’t predict if the grade boundaries will go up or down. I did wonder if they would go down because of covid, but that will only happen if teachers across the country have marked as normal i.e. marked like they would in non covid times. I fear teachers will mark too generously because their students have produced little because of covid and the boundaries could go up. In the last 15 years I don’t believe they have ever moved by more than one mark, so your daughter will most likely get a 6. She may have been given a 7 as the teacher was seeing potential but then it didn’t get realised, or it may be that the final outcome wasn’t as good as the sketchbook. Who knows! Ask your school for some feedback.

My daughter has an NEA for A Level Art. The maximum mark is 96 and her provisional mark is 82. What A Level grade does this equate to please ?

The A Level grade boundaries are different from above. Assuming your daughter is with the AQA exam board, an 82 is likely to be an A*. (Fantastic! Well Done!) Two things might change this. The moderator might come in and put all the marks of the whole cohort either up or down if he/she feels the school/college has been too mean or too generous. Or, the exam board could change the grade boundaries.

Blog Categories

• Art Careers 42
• Art Lesson Resources 20
• Arty Students 4
• Inspiration 61
• Pedagogy 38
• Running an Art Department 19
• Techniques & Processes 47

More Resources you might like...

Subscribe & save in any currency! I WANT TO PAY IN Australian Dollars ($) Canadian Dollars ($) Euros (€) Pound Sterling (£) New Zealand Dollar ($) US Dollars ($) South African rand Change Currency

Basic subscription free.

Register and you can download 3 of the Free Resources Every Month!

Premium Subscription $9.99 Per month $99 Per year

Save money and get 10 resources of your choice every month. The yearly subscription is the best value.

School Subscription Free Per year Free Per year Free Per year Free Per year Free Per year Free Per year Free Per year Free Per year Free Per year

For departments with 2 or more members. Subscribe for a total of 2 teachers to download 10 resources each month.

Privacy Overview

Places on our 2024 summer school are filling fast. Don’t miss out. Enrol now to avoid disappointment

• 10 Ways to Go the Extra Mile While Studying for your GCSEs

You should also read…

• 11 Common GCSE Difficulties and How to Overcome Them
• 10 Ways of Thinking That Will Boost Your Academic Performance

This is particularly important at A-level, because your university application hinges on your academic achievements in these exams. However, if you really want to go the extra mile, your preparation should start even earlier than Year 12. If you can find the time to do a bit extra while you’re studying for your GCSEs, you’ll find that it pays off in the long run when you achieve better GCSE grades and you’re better prepared for A-levels. The result of this extra effort is that more doors open for you: it ultimately boils down to a stronger university application, increased chances of getting into a top university, and therefore better long-term employment prospects. When you see the bigger picture in this way, it immediately becomes obvious that it’s well worth setting aside the time to do some of the suggestions in this article.

1. Discover the learning method that suits you best

We start with something that has the potential to improve your productivity dramatically, standing you in good stead for every stage of your education henceforth. It involves thinking about the way in which you study: the actual methods you use when learning, and the environment in which you do your learning. Everyone’s different, and people respond differently to different learning methods. It’s worth putting in the effort as early as Year 10 to find a study method that suits you and enables you to work to maximum efficiency: you’ll be amazed at how your productivity shoots up when you do, so there’s no sense in delaying this to A-level or even university, when it can help you achieve better performance in your GCSEs as well. There are many ways of learning, and solitarily ploughing your way through a dry textbook and copying out sections into your notebook is by no means necessarily the best or most effective method. Some people learn best from watching videos, for example, or learning in a group with friends; some need absolute silence to stand a chance of concentrating, while others can’t concentrate without music, or the background hum of a busy space such as a coffee shop or common room. We’ve outlined more learning styles for you to try here ; experiment with a few until you find one that works for you, and you’ll be rewarded with your studying being made much easier.

2. Develop your exam preparation/revision method

GCSEs are your first set of major exams, and as such, this is the time to develop an effective preparation method. Then, by the time you get to A-level preparation, you already know how to prepare effectively for exams, and all you need to is refine and advance your existing skills rather than trying to start from scratch. Revision can be made easier by continually refreshing your memory as you go along, and by learning things properly in the first place, rather than leaving it all to a big chunk of revision lasting weeks or months right up to the exam. You can also experiment with methods for memorising information; memory aids are one way, notecards another (that is, summarising each topic on a small notecard, committing it to memory and then testing yourself by seeing how much information you can remember). Developing an organised filing system for your notes will help you with this, and so will getting into the habit of managing your time effectively, as this will free up extra time in your daily schedule for refreshing your memory on topics you’ve studied previously.

3. Hone your exam technique

Of course, the run-up to GCSEs is also the time to develop your exam technique for the first time. You’ll have mock GCSE exams to help you do this, but putting in some preparation of your own will help enormously. This means taking some of your spare time to practice different styles of exam question under timed conditions, even if you haven’t been set this as a homework task. Past papers and example questions are readily available on the internet, and it’s well worth practising as many different kinds of question as you can, for all your subjects, before you get to the stage of sitting mock exams. Mock exams are there to highlight areas that you still need to work on before the real thing, but if you can do a good job in them, it’ll be a great confidence boost.

4. See beyond the requirements of the syllabus

At GCSE level, many students focus exclusively on jumping through hoops, as this is what’s needed to pass the exams. They study the requirements of the mark scheme in meticulous detail, and think only of this; it’s not helped by the fact that this is what most teachers concentrate on as well. However, to take this blinkered approach to any subject is to lack foresight: GCSEs are there to lay the foundations for A-level and ultimately undergraduate study, so to see this purely as an exercise in passing exams is a mistake. You should ideally already be starting to develop an academic way of thinking, cultivating your intellectual curiosity by asking questions, conducting extra research around your subject, reading other people’s opinions and forming your own .

5. Grow your vocabulary

A good vocabulary is something to be admired, and it will set you apart from other candidates in exams at every level, not to mention in your university application. Year 10 is a good time to start making a concerted effort to improve it, because you’ll start to feel the benefits by the time you get to your GCSE exams. In the course of your day-to-day schoolwork, a growing vocabulary can help you to achieve better grades in your essays and in your GCSE coursework; a good grasp of words allows you to express yourself clearly and articulately, so that the reader (whether your teacher or an examiner) feels that they’re in safe hands. It’s not something you can fake by using a thesaurus, either; synonyms often have different connotations despite meaning the same thing, so you have to have a clear understanding of the nuances to use words to good effect in an essay. The best way to grow your vocabulary is simply to read voraciously; you’ll pick up new words almost without thinking about it, by working out the meaning from the context. Keeping a dictionary by your side will make it easy to look up words you don’t know or can’t work out the meaning of. You could also subscribe to ‘Word-a-Day’ email mailing lists.

6. Start learning an extra language

It’s hard to overstate the usefulness of being able to speak more than one language. Not only do employers love it, but the challenge of learning a language is such that you pick up transferable skills such as a good memory, discipline, strong communication skills and so on. You may already be learning a language as one of your GCSEs, but studying an additional one in your spare time, starting in Year 10, will give you something extra to talk about on your university application in three years’ time. What’s more, you’ll get better at learning languages in the process, which should benefit the language you’re studying at school, too.

7. Start studying a musical instrument

Year 10 is a great time to start studying a musical instrument, as it gives you enough time to practise and get to a level sufficient for mentioning in university applications in Year 13. It takes a lot of hard work and determination to get past the tricky first stage and progress to making music that sounds good and that you enjoy, and the self-motivation you develop through doing so is something that you can mention in your personal statement as having equipped you for the challenges of studying for a degree. Learning a musical instrument improves your general knowledge, too, as it teaches you about the history of music and the important composers who’ve written some of the most famous tunes in the western world. Even better, you can eventually join music groups , which teach you how to work effectively in a team.

8. Write for your school newspaper

If your school has a newspaper or newsletter, ask whether you can contribute some articles. This gives you practice at writing for an audience, developing your writing style as well as forcing you to think clearly about your opinions (if you contribute an opinion piece). Through writing for other people, you can become more in tune with adapting your writing style for different audiences, and making your writing more interesting – skills that will stand you in good stead for essays, coursework and exams, as well as any other occasions that call for good writing.

9. Watch more television documentaries

Nobody can study all the time: you need regular breaks to allow your mind to switch off from what you’re studying, otherwise your brain becomes saturated and you feel as though you can’t absorb any more information. But you can still use your down time to benefit your studies by watching television documentaries on as many different subjects as you can. This improves your general knowledge , and you never know, you might unexpectedly find something interesting that might end up being what you study at university. For example, a David Attenborough documentary on primates might inspire you to study Anthropology, or a BBC Horizon programme on volcanoes might make you realise that Geology is a subject you want to pursue. Even if you don’t discover your ideal subject this way, a good general knowledge is always an advantage, because you never know when information will come in useful (even if it’s only for pub quizzes when you’re at university!).

10. Start doing some super-curricular activities

“Super-curricular” activities are extra-curricular activities that relate to a specific subject, or that enhance your academic studies in some way. These not only help you learn more and develop your interest in what you’re studying, but they show universities that you’re serious about your studies and genuinely motivated to learn more about it. When you’re doing your GCSEs, you may not yet have a particular subject in mind that you want to study at university, but that doesn’t mean you can’t already start doing some activities to support any of the subjects you’re studying at GCSE. You could start by pursuing your favourite subjects; for example, you could go to the theatre more if you love English (there are usually cheap student tickets available).

You don’t necessarily even need to concentrate on the subjects that most interest you; you could do some super-curricular activities to help you get better at the subjects you find difficult, or to help develop more enthusiasm for your least favourite subjects (and thereby increase your chances of a good grade). For example, if you’ve never been a fan of history, you might find that visiting a museum or an archaeological site might bring the subject to life a bit for you. If you’ve always hated maths and thought it pointless, understanding more about its relevance to the real world might help; you could do this, for example, by visiting Bletchley Park to see how maths was applied in decoding German messages during the war, and subsequently in inventing the computer. You’ll find plenty more subject-specific suggestions here , and here are some more generic super-curricular activities for those who haven’t yet decided what they want to study. It’s never too early to start preparing for university, but for those conscientious enough to do so, the rewards are immediate as well as long term. By going the extra mile when you’re studying for your GCSEs, you pave the way for a bright and prosperous future: hard work translates to better grades, and better grades translate to better university prospects; and better university prospects translate to better career prospects. Putting in a little extra effort now is, as they say, a ‘no-brainer’.

• International edition
• Australia edition
• Europe edition

Stop counting coursework towards GCSE grades, urges exam board

The UK's largest examination board has called for an end to coursework counting towards pupils' GCSE grades in England, labelling it as cumbersome, open to abuse and "disliked by many teachers and loathed in some subjects".

The report by the OCR exam board comes as the Department for Education and the exams regulator Ofqual mull proposals to revise GCSEs , including the role of coursework, known as "controlled assessment".

Mark Dawe, the board's chief executive, said: "OCR recognises that the way coursework is currently assessed in the classroom fails to give reliable results. It's time for a major rethink on coursework so that everyone can have full confidence in the exam system."

Michael Gove, the education secretary, said this year that internal assessment such as coursework "should be kept to a minimum and used only where there is a compelling case to do so", making grades dependent on a final examination at the end of two years' study.

Controlled assessment – work done in the classroom, supervised by teachers under exam conditions – was introduced in 2009. The amount of coursework currently used towards final grades for each subject varies, with up to 60% of marks in GCSE English coming from coursework, compared with 25% in science.

The OCR report says internally assessed coursework is vulnerable to being abused by schools. Although it stops short of accusing schools of cheating, the report makes reference to schools using coursework to "optimise students' grades", and "upward-tilted marking" caused by "potential leniency".

"[Teachers] are torn between needing to continually improve their exam results and yet also to be impartial assessors of their pupils' coursework," said Dawe.

Among the alternatives to teacher-led assessment, the report suggests exam boards conduct assessments through school visits, but notes that this would be "frighteningly expensive, and complex to organise".

Some educationalists argue that removing coursework could disproportionately hurt girls' results. For 25 years girls have outperformed boys in most subjects at GCSE level, while some research suggests boys tend to perform more confidently in exams alone.

In a separate submission to Ofqual, OCR said the regulator's plan to replace GCSE letter grades with a numerical grading system of 1 to 8 points would not show a clean break with past exams because it was too close to the old system.

"Where the old and new grades can be readily equated, there are huge pressures and disadvantages both for pupils on the old system and pupils who are exposed to the first five or so years of the new system," OCR wrote.

OCR also objected to Ofqual's statement that GCSE performance should be used to hold schools accountable. "Exam results are only one indicator by which a school should be held accountable, and not the only one. There are a wide range of factors such as teaching quality, access for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, pastoral care, leadership which need to be accounted for, and focusing too heavily on examination results can have detrimental effects on the others," OCR said.

The Department for Education said: "We agree that unnecessary coursework undermines the reliability of assessment. That is why we want to cut back on coursework, modules and controlled assessment. These reforms will restore confidence in GCSEs and tackle grade inflation.

"We have asked Ofqual to review how we might limit coursework and controlled assessment. Ofqual's consultation ended this week."

• Secondary schools
• Education policy

Most viewed

Finished Papers

Customer Reviews

How can I be sure you will write my paper, and it is not a scam?

How to get the best essay writing service, penmypaper: a student-friendly essay writing website.

We, at PenMyPaper, are resolute in delivering you professional assistance to write any kind of academic work. Be it marketing, business, or healthcare sector, we can prepare every kind of draft efficiently, meeting all the points of the question brief. Also, we believe in 'research before drafting'. Any work without ample research and evidence will be a flawed one and thus we aim to make your drafts flawless with exclusive data and statistics. With us, you can simply relax while we do the hard work for you.

Sophia Melo Gomes

This website works best with JavaScript switched on. Please enable JavaScript

• Centre Services
• Associate Extranet
• All About Maths
• GCSE English Language: submitting NEA sample files in summer 2024

Published: Wednesday 10 Apr 2024

For summer 2024 we’ve made changes to the way you submit your non-exam assessment (NEA) coursework samples for GCSE English Spoken Language.   For the summer 2024 series onwards, for NEA Spoken Language (8700/C), you’ll upload sample files and corresponding Centre declaration sheet to us digitally on Centre Services using Centre Marks Submission , so the same place where you submit your NEA marks/grades.

Audio and visual files no longer need to be sent to us on a CD or memory stick, and hard copies of learners’ sample work will need to be submitted digitally.  We’ve got detailed guidance on how to upload NEA coursework samples and centre declaration sheet for the requested sample once marks have been submitted. The guidance documents also have helpful questions and answers to support you.

Get ready to submit moderated NEA files

So that you can be ready to submit files in April and May, we’ve got some helpful tips to help you prepare. There’s more information on our Centre marks submission pages .

Instructions for conducting and recording audio-visual evidence

We have  guidance for conducting and recording audio-visual evidence for the spoken language endorsement. The guide can be found on our GCSE English Language qualifications pages .

The deadline to submit NEA GCSE English spoken language endorsement grades is 7 May 2024 .

See all updates

Latest news and insight

• Updated JCQ guidance: use of artificial intelligence in assessments
• A-level English Language and Literature: AQA Paris anthology
• GCSE English Language: spoken language endorsement for summer 2024
• Functional Skills English: November 2023 series 

View all news