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GCSE Grading Varies Across UK as Digital Results Pilot Launches
20 Aug
Summary
- GCSE grading systems differ in England, Northern Ireland, and Wales
- Over 95,000 students in England receive results via new app
- Exam aids provided to GCSE pupils in England to limit COVID-19 impact
Students across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland are receiving their GCSE and vocational qualification results today, with grading systems differing across the nations. In England, GCSEs are now graded on a numerical 9-1 scale, with 9 being the highest, rather than the traditional A*-G system. This change was rolled out fully by 2020. Meanwhile, Northern Ireland continues to use the A*-G scale, including a C* grade, while Wales has retained the traditional eight-category A*-G grading.
As part of a government pilot, over 95,000 GCSE students in England will receive their results through a new digital app, in addition to the traditional paper results available from their schools. The Education Record app aims to help students when applying for further education, apprenticeships, or employment by consolidating their exam results and certificates in one place.
To limit the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on learning, exam aids such as formula and equation sheets have been provided to GCSE pupils in England for mathematics, physics, and combined science subjects since 2022. The Education Secretary has requested that this support continue for the next few years.
