Edexcel 9–1 GRADING FACTS

International
GCSE FACT FACT FACT

The new 9–1 grading scale
THE 9–1 GRADING SCALE EXPLAINED was introduced by the UK
government as part of
GCSE reform in England
and Ofqual* is responsible
CURRENT
The bottom of the grade 7 aligns with the bottom of the grade A, The legacy A*–G GCSEs
the bottom of the grade 4 aligns with the bottom of the grade C
and the bottom of the grade 1 aligns with the bottom of the grade
are being phased out for
students in England.
G. 9–1 will be awarded using the same reliable processes as the
old A*-G grading.

for implementing these

changes in the UK.
NEW

FACT FACT FACT FACT

By 2019, over 5 million You can’t directly compare Only the Pearson Edexcel was the

9
The new grade 9 represents
A* a new level of attainment and
has been introduced to differentiate
8 your top performing students.
The bottom of the grade 7
7
aligns with the bottom of the grade A.
A students. So there will be
FACT
Grade 9 is not the same
as A*. 9 is a new grade,
designed to recognise the
very highest performing
fewer grade 9s than there
are currently A*s.
GCSEs will be awarded
using the 9–1 grading
scale. Our International
GCSE students will have
the same opportunity,
with the majority of
them receiving their
first 9–1 grades in 2019.
the two scales. The legacy top 20% of first awarding body to offer
A*–G grading scale candidates that this scale for International
had 8 points, and the would have GCSEs, announcing the
new, 9–1 grading scale achieved a Grade move early, to ensure that
has 9 providing greater A and above will teachers, parents, students,
differentiation across the
scale, so the two will never
achieve a Grade
9 in the new
ministries and universities
had enough time to prepare
be fully comparable. qualifications. for this change.

B
6 There’s greater differentiation
in the middle of the scale,
2019 FACT

Universities will continue to accept GCSE and

with grades 6 , 5 and 4 International GCSE qualifications using the new 9–1

5 being equivalent to the

old grades B and C.
grading scale**

“
C The bottom of the grade 4 aligns

4 with the bottom of the grade C.

To find out more The proposed
about Pearson Edexcel International GCSEs, visit our website, model and
D 3
watch our 9–1 video and sign-up to stay connected with the latest news.
assessment
E
qualifications.pearson.com/internationalgcses questions would
2 The bottom of the grade 1 aligns certainly support
F
with the bottom of the grade G.
progression to
higher levels
G 1 and secure these
qualifications as
U U being rigorous and
Watch the UK challenging.”
* The Office of Qualifications and
Alison, Aston University, UK
Examinations Regulation (Ofqual)
who regulate qualifications, examinations government’s
and assessments in England.
** however many universities will continue
to primarily focus on A Level and
video about the
International A Level results that
meet their admission criteria.
new 9-1 grading