The General Certificate of Secondary Education (or GCSE) is a UK-based academic qualification, usually taken by students at 16 years old.
With subjects ranging from the sciences to language, sports and the arts, GCSEs are a crucial part of students’ educational journey. But with so many options, understanding GCSE grades and percentages can be tricky.
Among your options, English and Maths GCSEs are particularly pivotal, often listed as essential requirements for post-16 education and employment. So in this article, we’ll focus on the grading of GCSE English and Maths, with everything you need to know about how grades and percentages correlate.
Here are GCSE grades, explained.
What is the GCSE grading system?
The GCSE grading system is standardised across the country, so it’s fair no matter which exam board you’re studying with. It underwent a significant overhaul in 2017, transitioning from traditional A*-G grades to a numerical system ranging from 9 to 1. Now, 9 is the highest grade (equivalent to a high A* under the old system), while 1 is the lowest.
This new GCSE grading system aims to provide more differentiation among the highest-achieving students.
Instead of just A* or A at the top level, the new 7 at GCSE roughly equates with a low A. Grade 8 is equivalent to a high A or low A*, and grade 9 represents the highest academic achievement.
How do GCSE grades and percentages work?
A combination of coursework, practical assessments and final exams determine GCSE grades. But final exams (taken at the end of a two-year course) generally carry the most weight.
GCSE exam boards (such as AQA, Edexcel, OCR and WJEC Eduqas) set grade boundaries each year, based on exam difficulty and student performance. So this means the percentage for a particular grade varies from year to year, and subject to subject.
Generally though, you’ll find rough percentages align with grades. Before we go into specific details for GCSE English and Maths, here are the 2023 grade boundaries (across all subjects) for each exam board.
- AQA 2023 Grade Boundaries
- Edexcel 2023 Grade Boundaries
- OCR 2023 Grade Boundaries
- WJEC Eduqas Grade Boundaries
What is the pass mark for GCSE Maths?
For GCSE Maths (and all GCSE subjects), a grade 4 is considered a standard pass. This equates to a low C under the previous grading system.
Across England, only 67.8% of GCSE grades were at grade 4 or above.
The percentage you’ll need to achieve a grade 4 varies, but it typically falls around 40-60% for GCSE Foundation Maths. For Higher Tier students, you’ll only need around 10-25% to secure a grade 4 “pass”.
Here are the 2023 pass marks for each exam board.
GCSE Higher Maths: Grade 4 Boundaries
- AQA: 59 out of 240 marks (25%)
- Edexcel: 47 out of 240 marks (20%)
- OCR: 39 out of 300 marks (13%)
- WJEC Eduqas: 32 out of 240 marks (13%)
GCSE Foundation Maths: Grade 4 Boundaries
- AQA: 158 out of 240 marks (66%)
- Edexcel: 147 out of 240 marks (61%)
- OCR: 129 out of 300 marks (43%)
- WJEC Eduqas: 105 out of 240 marks (44%)
If you’re preparing for GCSE Maths, read our complete guide to the GCSE Maths syllabus, as well as Maths GCSE exam boards and the lowdown on revision websites like Corbett Maths and Maths Genie.
What is the pass mark for GCSE English?
Similarly to GCSE Maths, a standard pass for GCSE English is a grade 4. Likewise, the percentage you’ll need changes each year, but it ranges from about 30-50%.
Here are the 2023 pass marks for GCSE English Language and English Literature.
GCSE English Language: Grade 4 Boundaries
- AQA: 71 out of 160 marks (44%)
- Edexcel: 80 out of 160 marks (50%)
- OCR: 69 out of 160 marks (43%)
- WJEC Eduqas: 75 out of 200 marks (38%)
GCSE English Literature: Grade 4 Boundaries
- AQA: 57 out of 160 marks (36%)
- Edexcel: 67 out of 160 marks (42%)
- OCR: 49 out of 160 marks (31%)
- WJEC Eduqas: 85 out of 200 marks (43%)
Achieving a grade 4 in Maths and English is pretty important, as it’s a common requirement for further education and professional jobs. Understand how your GCSE grades affect your post-16 choices (and what options are available), with our in-depth guide.
If you’re preparing for your GCSE English exams, don’t miss our tips for exam success in English Language and how to get a grade 9 in English Literature.
What GCSE grade is 40%?
As you can see, it differs.
A score of 40% might just be enough to secure a pass in WJEC Eduqas English Language. It might also get you there with AQA or OCR English Literature.
But for English in general, a score of 40% typically falls into the grade 3 category, which is below the standard pass mark for GCSE.
In Higher Maths however, a score of 40% equals a grade 5 or above. With OCR and Eduqas, it gets you a grade 6!
If you’ve just fallen short of a grade 4 in GCSE English or Maths, the good news is you’ve got plenty of options. You can have your papers reviewed (known as an appeal) or resit your exams. As part of this, academic coaching is useful to help you unpick any problem areas.
If resits aren’t an option, apprenticeships or vocational qualifications like BTECs generally have more flexible entry requirements.
What is 70% in GCSE grades?
A score of 70% will usually get you a grade 7 or 8 at GCSE, depending on the subject and your exam board’s grade boundaries for that year.
Here are the percentages you’ll need to reach a grade 8 in English and Maths. Most are just above or below the 70% mark.
GCSE English Language: Grade 8 Boundaries
- AQA: 111 out of 160 marks (69%)
- Edexcel: 122 out of 160 marks (76%)
- OCR: 118 out of 160 marks (74%)
- WJEC Eduqas: 132 out of 200 marks (66%)
GCSE English Literature: Grade 8 Boundaries
- AQA: 119 out of 160 marks (74%)
- Edexcel: 121 out of 160 marks (76%)
- OCR: 118 out of 160 marks (74%)
- WJEC Eduqas: 141 out of 200 marks (71%)
GCSE Higher Maths: Grade 8 Boundaries
- AQA: 186 out of 240 marks (78%)
- Edexcel: 174 out of 240 marks (73%)
- OCR: 193 out of 300 marks (64%)
- WJEC Eduqas: 152 out of 240 marks (63%)
We should also mention that for GCSE Foundation Maths, grade 5 is the highest possible score, even if you achieve 70% or more. Here are the percentages you’ll need to reach grade 5.
GCSE Foundation Maths: Grade 5 Boundaries
- AQA: 189 out of 240 marks (79%)
- Edexcel: 182 out of 240 marks (76%)
- OCR: 178 out of 300 marks (60%)
- WJEC Eduqas: 133 out of 240 marks (55%)
Is 7 a good GCSE grade?
Yes, a grade 7 is a very good GCSE grade!
A grade 7 is well above average, equivalent to a high A under the old grading system. It indicates strong exam performance, plenty of dedication and a firm grasp of your subject matter.
Across England, only 20.7% of GCSE grades were at grade 7 or above. So if you’re in this minority, well done.
In Maths, only 17.5% of grades were 7 or above. For English Language, it’s 16.3% and English Literature is 21%. So a grade 7 is even more impressive for English and Maths!
What GCSE grade is 80%?
An 80% score on your GCSE exams will generally get you at least a grade 8. In some cases, you might even get a grade 9.
It represents a very high level of achievement, indicating you’ve excelled in your understanding and application of your subjects.
In Maths, 80% would get you a grade 9 with Edexcel and Eduqas. It’s probably a grade 8 with AQA and just on the cusp with OCR.
For English Language, 80% is a grade 9 for AQA and Eduqas, but a grade 8 for Edexcel and OCR. In English Literature, it will secure you a grade 9 with Eduqas, but a grade 8 with all the other exam boards.
Here are the scores you’ll need for a grade 9 in English and Maths.
GCSE English Language: Grade 9 Boundaries
- AQA: 121 out of 160 marks (75%)
- Edexcel: 131 out of 160 marks (81%)
- OCR: 129 out of 160 marks (81%)
- WJEC Eduqas: 145 out of 200 marks (73%)
GCSE English Literature: Grade 9 Boundaries
- AQA: 135 out of 160 marks (84%)
- Edexcel: 132 out of 160 marks (83%)
- OCR: 134 out of 160 marks (84%)
- WJEC Eduqas: 153 out of 200 marks (77%)
GCSE Higher Maths: Grade 9 Boundaries
- AQA: 214 out of 240 marks (89%)
- Edexcel: 203 out of 300 marks (68%)
- OCR: 242 out of 300 marks (80%)
- WJEC Eduqas: 187 out of 240 marks (78%)
Is a 9 in GCSE 90%?
Last but not least, we’ve reached the highest grade possible at GCSE: grade 9.
Like all the other grades we’ve discussed, a grade 9 doesn’t correspond to a fixed percentage like 90%. Instead, it represents the very highest level of academic attainment at GCSE.
While the exact percentage required for a grade 9 varies each year, a score of 90% should reliably get you there!
Are you looking for help with your GCSE studies?
Understanding the GCSE grading system and exam percentages is crucial for students wanting to improve their academic progress.
As GCSE English and Maths are core subjects, achieving good grades in these exams is particularly important. So if you need help with your GCSEs, get in touch today. Our expert team of tutors will deepen your understanding, develop effective study strategies, build confidence and help you achieve your academic goals.
