August 22nd 2024.
Students all around the country are eagerly awaiting their GCSE results, which will be released this Thursday. These grades, ranging from 9-1, will determine their academic achievement in various subjects. In the past, GCSEs used a letter-based grading system, with A* being the highest and G being the lowest grade. However, this has changed with the introduction of a numerical grading system.
But what exactly do these new grades mean? Let us break it down for you and explain the different grade boundaries. In short, 9 is the highest grade a student can achieve, while 1 is the lowest. These grades are equivalent to the old letter-based system, as shown in the table below:
- Grade 9 is equivalent to above an A*
- Grade 8 is equivalent to in between grades A* and A
- Grade 7 is equivalent to a grade A
- Grade 6 is equivalent to just above a grade B
- Grade 5 is equivalent to in between grades B and C
- Grade 4 is equivalent to a grade C
- Grade 3 is equivalent to in between grades D and E
- Grade 2 is equivalent to in between grades E and F
- Grade 1 is equivalent to in between grades F and G
So, if you're aiming for an A or A*, you'll need to get a 7, 8, or 9 on your results slip. However, fewer students will receive a grade 9 than would have received an A* under the old system. This is because the new grading system was introduced to allow for more differentiation among the highest achieving students.
Furthermore, many sixth forms require a minimum number of 5s or 6s for entry into further study, and the government's school league tables are based on the percentage of students who achieve a 5 or above in English and Maths GCSEs.
It's important to note that the U grade is still included in the new system, indicating that a student has failed to meet the minimum requirements for any grade. Currently, this grading system is only used in England, while Wales and Northern Ireland still use the A* to G system, and Scotland uses grades A, B, C, and D in their equivalent qualification, the National 5.
So, when was this new grading system introduced? It was first implemented in 2017 for English Language, English Literature, and Maths GCSEs. It was then gradually rolled out to other subjects in 2018 and 2019, with all subjects using numerical grades by 2020.
The 9-1 grading system was part of a broader reform of exams, which included a complete overhaul of the content and structure of GCSEs. These reforms began in 2011, led by then-Education Secretary Michael Gove. The new courses have been designed to be more challenging and to meet the demands of universities and employers.
According to Ofqual, the new grade scale makes it easier to understand a student's achievement and provides more higher grades to better distinguish between different abilities. Additionally, newer courses have less coursework than previous GCSE qualifications, and modular courses have been replaced with linear exams taken at the end of a two-year course.
What do you think of the new GCSE grading system? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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