GCSE grade boundaries for AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC and CCEA exams explained
GCSE students can check their grade boundaries on the AQA, Edexcel and OCR website on results day Thursday morning.
Grade boundaries are not set until after students take their exams and they have been marked by independent examiners, who use published mark schemes to decide their grades. It's thought thousands of students could be left disappointed after missing out on their predicted grades. Just last week, A-level results across the country dropped significantly compared to previous years. A similar outcomes is expected for GCSE students.
This year, the number of results receiving a grade 7 or higher mark, which equates to an A or A*, is expected to plummet by a massive 230,000. The number of passes is also expected to drop, according to an analysis by Professor Alan Smithers, head of the Centre for Education and Employment Research.
Results are available today from most schools and colleges from around 8am - but its recommended to check with your institution for guidance on how and when to get your grades before turning up. In addition to the physical pick-up, many schools may be using post, email or text to dish out the grades.
How do the grades work?
In 2017, the Government changed the GCSE grading system, which used the alphabetical A* to G, to a numerical system from 9 to 1. In this newer system, nine is the top grade while one is the lowest.
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Exams regulator Ofqual issued the following guide to show how the numerical system relates to the traditional alphabetical system.
- 9 = high A* grade
- 8 = lower A* or high A
- 7 = lower A grade
- 6 = high B grade
- 5 = lower B or high C
- 4 = lower C grade
- 3 = D or high E
- 2 = lower E or high F
- 1 = lower F or G
- U = U, remains the same
Now, rather than just needing a "C" to pass, students have two grades which are considered pass marks. Individual schools are judged by how many pupils achieve a standard pass, which is a grade four. But it's also checked how many gain a "strong pass", which is a grade five.
What are grade boundaries and how do they work?
Grade boundaries are issued after the exams have been taken by students, and marked by independent examiners. These boundaries are enforces so that there is a consistency in grading from year to year. If a 2022 exam is easier than a 2021 paper, the grade boundaries are increased. Ofqual says it plans to raise them this year so they can bring results back in line with pre-pandemic grades.
Dr Jo Saxton, from Ofqual, said: "I promised to set out as soon as possible the arrangements for grading next summer, to provide clarity for students, teachers, schools, colleges, universities and other users of qualifications. This summer was an important step back towards normality. Our plans for 2023 take us a step further, whilst also recognising the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"I’ve visited schools and colleges up and down the country and I’ve seen young people’s admirable resilience and dedication. I can confirm, in 2023, we will return to pre-pandemic grading as the next step in getting back to normal. But giving the 2023 cohort some protection against any impact of COVID-19 disruption is the right thing to do."
OCR and Edexcel says its grade boundaries will be published on Thursday at 8.00am.
AQA GCSE grade boundaries for 2023
The full list of AQA GCSE grade boundaries is available here.
Edexcel GCSE grade boundaries for 2023
The full list of Edexcel GCSE grade boundaries is available here.
OCR GCSE grade boundaries for 2023
A full list of OCR GCSE grade boundaries is available here.
WJEC GCSE grade boundaries for 2023
A full list of WJEC GCSE grade boundaries is available here.
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CCEA GCSE grade boundaries for 2023
The full list of CCEA GCSE grade boundaries is available here.
For subjects such as biology, chemistry, English language, and maths, the maximum mark count is 400. To earn an A, you would have to get a minimum of 320.
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