When I started studying for maths GCSE last year, I was asked several times about the GCSE grading system that was introduced in 2019. It struck me that many people were not aware of how the new and old grading structures compared. I thought it would be useful to produce an inforgraphic comparing old versus new GCSE grades and comparing the two.
The biggest change is that instead of relying on letters A – G, the new system is numeric. Students receive a grade from 1 to 9, with 9 being the highest grade. A grade 4 is broadly equivalent to the old C grade and this is considered a pass.
You might be wondering why the new grading system was introduced. The main reason was to differentiate between the highest performing students. Under the new system, there are six grading points between 4 and 9 (inclusive). Under the old system, there were four grading points between C and A*.
The infographic comparing old versus new GCSE grades is below. You can also download a pdf version by following this link. If you want to read about my adventures (for they have been adventures!) studying for and taking GCSE maths as an adult dad of two, you can read about them here and here.
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2 thoughts on “Infographic: Old versus new GCSE grades”
Honestly John, this has baffled me for years with my two. Add in the additional points scoring system that compliments the actual grade mark and it just makes it even more confusing. I just ask my daughter to speak in old school language.
Ah the points scoring system is useful I think. it shows how close you have come to the next grade up / down. That said, I had the heartbreak in January of missing out on a GCSE pass by one solitary mark! That aside, there’s a lot of confusion among parents about the new marking scheme, hence why I published this infographic.