What your GCSE and A-level results mean now that pre-pandemic grading is back

17 August 2023 , 08:32

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Pupils across the country will find out if they got the results they wanted (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Hundreds of thousands of students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will find out their GCSE results today.

Ofqual, the exams watchdog for England, has told schools that tougher grade boundaries have been imposed, meaning national results may be lower than last summer. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, GCSE results will come out from 8am. The results are normally handed out in person at school or college, and sometimes they are sent by post or email.

Following Thursday's results, pupils may go on to study A-levels, or Advanced Highers in Scotland. Other options include International Baccalaureate, vocational courses such as National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs), BTec Level 3s, TechBacs, Cambridge Technicals and (in England only) T-levels. Furthermore, apprenticeships are also considered.

Last, week A-level results were released and it was the first year they may have sat formal exams because GCSEs were disrupted during the pandemic. It was also the first year that results will return to pre-pandemic grading.

Here we explain what this year's GCSE and A-level results mean.

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How are GCSE results graded this year?

In England, GCSEs are graded using a numerical system from 9 to 1 and have not used the letter system for a number of years.

In Wales, grades are A* to G - where A, B and C are good passes. A G is a weak pass. In Northern Ireland, both numerical and letter systems are used. The number scale does not directly correspond to the letter one.

However, this is where the two scales do meet in certain places:

The bottom of grade 7 is aligned with the bottom of grade A
The bottom of grade 4 is aligned with the bottom of grade C
The bottom of grade 1 is aligned with the bottom of grade G
Three number grades - 9, 8 and 7 - correspond to the two previous top grades of A* and A

Scotland has a completely separate system to the rest of the UK as they do have GCSEs. In order to pass their GCSEs, pupils need a 4 for a "standard pass" and a 5 for a "strong pass".

The government's school league tables are based on the percentage of pupils who get a 5 or higher in English and maths GCSEs. And many sixth forms insist on a minimum of 5s or 6s in order to continue studying.

How are A-level results graded this year?

Earlier this year, Ofqual announced that grading will return to pre-pandemic levels for the first time. It comes after last year 45 per cent of all A-level grades were an A or A* - which was a huge leap from 33 per cent in 2019.

The grading was modified in previous years due to the disruption from the pandemic with widespread school closures and the unprecedented pressures put on pupils and teachers.

A-Levels are graded on a scale from A* to E, with A* being the highest grade and E being the lowest you can get to pass. This means the only passing grades you can achieve are A*, A, B, C, D and E.

A failing grade is marked as a U, which stands for ungraded. Different examination boards have their own individual grade boundaries, which can be found below: