GCSE grades, explained.
GCSEs in England are graded 9 to 1, with 9 the highest. A 4 is a standard pass, and in English and maths a 5 is a strong pass. The numbers line up with the old letters at three points, drawn in gold.
9 to 1
A* to G
Old grade A*Old grade AOld grade BOld grade COld grade DOld grade E FOld grade GOld grade U4Standard passBeside the old C
A standard pass in every subject. The bottom of a 4 lines up with the bottom of an old C, so where a C was asked for, the Department says a 4 is reasonable.
From the Department for Education’s GCSE factsheet (May 2019) and Ofqual’s guide to the 9 to 1 scale. The scales are not directly equivalent.
A 4 is not a percentage.
Boundaries are set after every exam, so the marks for a 4 move with the paper. In AQA’s June 2026 GCSEs a 4 took between 26% and 64% of the marks.
- Maths Higher63 of 240 · 26%
- Computer Science72 of 180 · 40%
- English Language75 of 160 · 47%
- Maths Foundation154 of 240 · 64%
Every grade in each of these exams: GCSE grade boundaries, 2026.
Below a 4, English and maths carry on.
A 4 in English or maths decides whether they must keep studying it after 16.
- 4 or aboveA standard pass. Carrying on with it after 16 is their choice.
- 3 or belowThey must keep studying it as part of their education after 16.
The rule is for English and maths only. From the Department for Education’s GCSE factsheet. Close to a 4 in maths? GCSE Maths tutoring.
How far are they from their next grade?
Their free Exam Plan measures it in marks, from their own answers, and says what to fix first.
Get their free GCSE Exam PlanFree · No card · Years 9–11 and resits