As students gear up for the latest GCSE season, there’s always a buzz of anticipation and curiosity about the grading system.
What changes can you expect? Will exams be tougher? And is it really possible to get all 9s?
In the ever-evolving world of education, GCSEs remain a pivotal point for students. They shape not only your sixth form and A Level choices, but impact university and beyond. So it’s no surprise students want to understand the grading system and aim for the best grades possible!
In this article, we delve into the new GCSE Grading System 2024, what to expect and what it takes to achieve those coveted top grades.
The GCSE Grading System 2024
What is the new GCSE grading system 2024?
The GCSE grading landscape transformed in recent years, with the shift from the traditional A*-G system to the numerical 9-1 scale. Although we still call it the “new” GCSE grading system, number grades were first introduced in 2017 for Maths and English. By 2020, all GCSE subjects were using the new system.
So in 2024, students can expect to receive their GCSE results on a 9-1 scale, where 9 is the highest grade and 1 is the lowest.
We should note the exception to this rule is Cambridge IGCSEs. This exam board still uses a mixture of A*-G and 9-1 grading, depending on the subject and the country you’re sitting exams in.
What will GCSEs 2024 be like?
GCSEs in 2024 will continue to challenge students across a range of subjects, from key subjects like Maths, Sciences, English Literature and English Language to Media Studies, Dance and Sociology.
Students take a minimum of five GCSEs. It’s normal to sit between seven and ten subjects though.
GCSE exams assess not only knowledge, but critical thinking, problem-solving and application of concepts. You can expect a mix of traditional written papers, practical assessments and coursework depending on the subject.
What is the first GCSE exam in 2024?
The first GCSE exam of 2024 marks the beginning of an important journey for many students.
Your first exam will depend on the subjects you’re taking and the exam board. But in general, exams start sometime in early May.
For 2024, exams start on 9th May. The first subjects are Religious Studies, Drama, Italian, Geology and Urdu.
Here’s each exam board’s confirmed 2024 GCSE exam timetable:
You’ll probably study different subjects with different exam boards, so it’s crucial to keep track of your personal exam timetable. Schools normally provide this information for GCSE students, but if you’re in doubt – just ask your teacher.
GCSE Exams 2024: Difficulty
Will exams be harder in 2024?
The million-dollar question: will 2024 GCSE exams be tougher? While standards should stay consistent, exam boards are constantly refining assessments to ensure they reflect the curriculum and challenge students appropriately.
So no, GCSE exams shouldn’t be any harder in 2024 than previous years.
Indeed, the government is clear that it should never be “easier or harder to get a grade between one year and the next”.
That said, while the difficulty level may not drastically change, students should be prepared for a rigorous examination of their knowledge and skills. GCSEs are designed to test your academic abilities after all.
Will 2024 GCSE grade boundaries be high?
Grade boundaries are a hot topic every year. In 2024, as with previous years, grade boundaries are based on the overall performance of students. While there isn’t any predetermined quota of grades, higher performance across the board could result in slightly higher grade boundaries.
Equally, if a paper is judged particularly tricky, the grade boundaries will be lower.
So will 2024 GCSE grade boundaries be lower?
Ultimately, we just don’t know until results day. This is when each exam board publishes their grade boundaries for that year.
While the grade boundaries themselves might change, the level of challenge each grade requires will stay the same. On the government website, they state:
“It is important to remember the grade boundaries for a qualification vary from year to year. It is important that they do so in order that they reflect the level of challenge of the papers taken that year. Although senior examiners aim to produce papers of comparable challenge, in practice this is very difficult to do.”
Will GCSE 2024 get formula sheets?
Formula sheets can be a lifesaver for many students, especially in subjects like Maths and Science.
For 2024, the use of formula sheets will depend on the subject and exam board. But in good news, the vast majority of exam boards provide formula sheets.
Check the specific requirements for each subject you’re taking to understand what’s provided. But remember, even if you have formula sheets on the day, it’s essential you know how to apply them appropriately. So chances are you’ll need to memorise most of the information anyway!
What is the special consideration for GCSEs 2024?
Special consideration is a provision made for students who face unforeseen circumstances that may affect their exam performance. This could be a temporary illness, long-term condition, unavoidable circumstances or personal issues.
In 2024, as in previous years, exam boards will have procedures in place to ensure students aren’t unfairly disadvantaged. This could include adjustments to grade boundaries or additional marks.
Check with individual exam boards for their special consideration processes and policies.
GCSE Exams 2024: Getting the Top Grades
What percentage is a 9 in GCSE?
A grade 9 in GCSE represents the highest level of achievement. But the exact percentage you’ll need varies from subject to subject, as each exam has its own structure and assessment criteria.
These scores also differ between exam boards. They change each year to reflect the level of challenge each paper poses.
To give you a rough idea though, here are recent grade boundaries for grade 9 in GCSE Maths, for each of the main exam boards.
- AQA: 213 out of 240
- Pearson Edexcel: 203 out of 240
- OCR: 242 out of 300
- WJEC Eduqas: 187 out of 240
Preparing for GCSE Maths? Don’t miss our essential guide to the GCSE Maths syllabus and Maths exam boards.
How rare is a 9 in GCSE?
Scoring a 9 in GCSE is no small feat. It’s reserved for the highest academic achievers and requires not only deep understanding but also exemplary application of your subject knowledge.
The rarity of grade 9s varies by subject. But generally speaking, only the top 5% of GCSE entries achieve a grade 9.
In 2023, 4.9% of students secured a 9. This was down from 6.6% in 2022.
How rare are all 9s in GCSE?
Aiming for that elusive “straight 9s” at GCSE? Well, the good news is that while it’s rare, it’s not impossible.
In 2022, 2,193 GCSE candidates achieved all 9s in their subjects. This was out of 622,350 total GCSE students, so about 0.3%. A rare and impressive feat indeed!
Here are the statistics broken down by the number of GCSEs taken.
| Number of GCSE subjects | Students achieving all 9s |
| 7 | 130 |
| 8 | 209 |
| 9 | 708 |
| 10 | 945 |
| 11 | 188 |
| 12+ | 13 |
Is it hard to get all 9s in GCSE?
Let’s not sugarcoat it: all 9s at GCSE is a challenge. Students who achieve all 9s demonstrate not only exceptional intelligence but also unwavering dedication, motivation and hard work.
Straight 9s at GCSE requires a near-perfect understanding of each subject, impeccable exam technique and a growth mindset enabling study not just at exam season, but throughout the year.
But while the journey may be arduous, the sense of accomplishment is unparalleled!
If you’re gearing-up for GCSE exams, here’s how to make a revision timetable and use time-blocking techniques to supercharge your studies.
Are you preparing for your GCSE exams?
Get in touch with our expert team at Achieve Learning for help with your GCSE exam preparation. We offer personal tuition in GCSE English and Maths as well as academic coaching and mentoring. So whether you’re aiming for straight 9s or just need that extra bit of confidence, we’re here to help you reach your full potential.
