Grading (2024)

Find out more about the way exams are graded using the 9 to 1 grading scales and how attainment and progress 8 aims to ensure that students are offered a well-balanced curriculum.

9 to 1 grading

The way GCSEs are graded changed in 2017. They're graded using 9 to 1, rather than A* to G. Grade 9 is the highest grade.

Ofqual's GCSE grading diagrams outline the changes and also provide some useful guide for parents.

Grade descriptors for 9 to 1 GCSEs

Ofqual'sgrade descriptors for the reformed GCSEs graded 9 to 1 are designed to help teachers by indicating the likely average level of performance at the mid-points of grades 2, 5 and 8.

Equivalent GCSE grades

The Government has said that grade 4 is a 'standard pass'. Grade 5 is a 'strong pass' and equivalent to a high C and low B on the old grading system. Grade 4 remains the level that students must achieve without needing to resit English and Maths post-16.

Setting grade standards for GCSEs

The approach to awarding the top grades will be the same for all GCSE subjects. A formula is used which means that around 20% of all grades at 7 or above will be a grade 9.

The grade 8 boundary will be equally spaced between the grade 7 and grade 9 boundaries. To carry forward the current standard, the number of grades 7, 8 and 9 awarded for an individual subject will be based on the proportion of the cohort who would have been expected to get an A or A*, had the qualification not been reformed.

GCSE Combined Science

GCSE Combined Science students will receive a double grade on a 17-point scale, from 9-9 to 1-1.

This double award is worth two GCSEs and is made up of two equal or adjacent grades. There are 17 possible grade combinations, for example, (9-9), (9-8), (8-8), (8-7) – through to (1-1).

Generally, a student who would have got an average grade A across science and additional science in 2017 would get grade 7-7 in GCSE Combined Science from 2018 onwards.

For additional guidance, see ourGCSE Science tiering guide (99.1 KB)and our9 to 1 grading scale guide (96.1 KB).

Attainment 8 and Progress 8

Attainment 8 and Progress 8 aims to show how students perform across the whole curriculum and to what extent they’ve improved during their time at secondary school.

The Attainment 8 score measures the achievement of a pupil across eight different subjects.

The Progress 8 score shows how they have improved during secondary school, compared to other pupils who were at the same level when they finished primary school.

This measure is designed to encourage schools to offer a broad, well-balanced curriculum.

Find out more about these measures and how they’re calculated in the DfE Secondary accountability measures guidance.

Grading (2024)

FAQs

Is an 89.5 a good grade? ›

A common grading scale might consider a 90-92 as an A-, which would correspond to a 3.7 on a 4.0 scale, while an 87-89 may be categorized as a B+, which would typically be a 3.3 on a 4.0 scale. If your 89.5 is rounded up to a 90, it would likely be considered an A-.

Is 60% a failed grade? ›

Most colleges and universities generally consider a "D" (or a 60% to 69% score) as a passing grade. It's important to note that this minimum or lowest passing grade standard can significantly vary depending on the institution or major. For instance, some universities may require a "C" or better to pass.

Do teachers make mistakes when grading? ›

One of the most common grading mistakes is to grade students without providing clear criteria, expectations, and feedback. This can lead to confusion, inconsistency, and unfairness, as students may not know what they are supposed to do, how they are evaluated, and how they can improve.

Is 70 still a good grade? ›

C - this is a grade that rests right in the middle. C is anywhere between 70% and 79% D - this is still a passing grade, and it's between 59% and 69% F - this is a failing grade.

Is a D+ a bad grade? ›

A+, A, A- indicates excellent performance. B+, B, B- indicates good performance. C+, C, C- indicates satisfactory performance. D+, D, D- indicates less than satisfactory performance.

Is an 89.5 an A or B+? ›

Grading Scale
GradeMinimum PercentGPA
A92.54.00
A-89.53.67
B+86.53.33
B82.53.00
8 more rows

Is 64 an F? ›

The cutoff to receive an F is usually 64 percent. Let's take a closer look at the college grading system and what grades qualify as passing.

Is 60% ad or f? ›

Calculating Your GPA
PercentageLetter GradeGrade Points
67 – 69.9 PercentD+1.3
64 – 66.9 PercentD1.0
60 – 63.9 PercentD-0.7
0 – 59.9 PercentF0.0
8 more rows

What is the GPA for A+? ›

For each unit of credit the following grade points are earned: A+ = 4. A = 4. A- = 3.7.

Can you sue a teacher for a bad grade? ›

Yes, if you are not able to resolve the dispute through mediation or alternative dispute resolution, you may have the option of filing a complaint. This could involve filing a formal grievance with your school or district, or it could involve seeking legal recourse through a lawsuit.

What to do if your teacher gives you a bad grade? ›

How to Deal with a Bad Grade
  1. Take a deep breath.
  2. Get your mind off of it for a while.
  3. Look over the test.
  4. If you're confused, talk to your teacher.
  5. See if there's extra credit.
  6. Change small things such as your participation.
  7. Prepare for the next test.
  8. When your next test comes, don't freak out.
May 21, 2021

Can grading be biased? ›

In the cases of assessments that were considered to be more subjective (for example, essays, oral examinations, presentations), the study found that when evaluators had knowledge of irrelevant information about the student, their grading was often biased.

Why do grades skip E? ›

The letter E was originally part of the grading and was the equivalent of an 'F'. Anything below 75%, was an E and was considered a failing the course. However, in the 1930s, schools became increasingly concerned about the fact that students and parents might think 'E' stood for excellence rather than failure.

Is an 85 AB or B+? ›

GradePoints
A-90 - 94
B+86 - 89
B83 - 85
B-80 - 82
8 more rows

Are B's good in college? ›

If your goal is to gain knowledge, personal growth, and a well-rounded college experience, a few B's should not be a cause for concern. However, depending on your field of study and your long-term goals, a high GPA might be necessary for specific opportunities.

Is an 89.5 an A in college? ›

Common examples of grade conversion are: A+ (97–100), A (93–96), A- (90–92), B+ (87–89), B (83–86), B- (80–82), C+ (77–79), C (73–76), C- (70–72), D+ (67–69), D (65–66), D- (below 65).

Is an 89.5 an A in high school? ›

Grade conversion

This is the most used grading system; however, there are some schools that use an edited version of the college system, which means 89.5 or above becomes an A average, 79.5 becomes a B, and so on.

What is 89.5 as a grade? ›

So an 89.5% would be included in an A while an 89.4% would be a B. However, the grade in Canvas is not rounded to the nearest tenth. It is calculated without rounding, but then displayed to the nearest hundredth. If your grade is 89.49%, then it is a B.

Is 89 an A or B grade? ›

PercentLetter Grade
94 - 100A
90 - 93A-
87 - 89B+
83 - 86B
8 more rows

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