GCSE results day 2019 is a nerve-wracking prospect for thousands of 16-year-olds every year, as they await the culmination of months of revision. The day comes off the back of A-level results day, which happened last week on August 15. This year, students can get their GCSE results on Thursday, August 22. While those results decided which universities students would be able to attend, this year sees students find out whether they can attend college.

What grades are a pass at GCSE?

GCSE reforms in the UK have changed the grading system, with officials hoping to toughen up the curriculum.

Most subjects are now on numbered grades one to nine instead of the lettered A* to G.

English language, literature and maths were changed to the numbered one to nine system in 2017, with more following last year.

These new grades are designed to help the government differentiate between student ability.

The grades don’t correspond directly to their numbered counterparts, but still represent the same levels of excellence.

Examination boards are handing out fewer of the top-tier achievements to make high results harder to achieve.

One lettered grade remains, the dreaded U, which means the paper is ungraded, and the student has failed to get even a failing grade.

The new to old grade comparisons, according to the Department of Education, are as follows:

– Grades 9, 8 and 7: High pass. Equivalent to A* and A.

– Grades 6, 5 and 4: Higher standard pass. Equivalent to B and C grades.

– Grade 4: Standard pass. Equivalent to C grade.

– Grade 3: D grade.

– Grade 2 and 1: E, F and G grades

While many people will aim for the top A* mark, most numbered and lettered grades are passes.

Grades A* to C are a standard pass according to the Department for Education.

However, grades D and E are still technically passes but are worth less than the higher boundaries.

The F letter is the ‘fail’ grade, so anything below that – meaning the G and U grades – are outright fails.

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