GCSE 2023 grade limits with passing grades from AQA, Edexcel, CCEA, OCR and WJEC (2023)

OnGCSE resultsfor 2023 have already been announced by the examination boards. How well do you think you did with this year's tests? What are the grade equivalencies between the new numerical grades and the old system?

When students find out if they have passed the exam and have the necessary scores to continue their studies, many will wonder how the exams were graded. This is especially true if you have failed the required grades or failed one or more subjects.

What's on yoursGCSE resultsThe blade is determined by grade caps - the minimum grade to get a certain grade. We've included all the details below.

READ MORE:

  • 2023 GCSE results warn that lower grades are expected: what this means for you
  • What's next after GCSE 2023 results: all options explained

Full list of rating caps for 2023

AQA GCSE 2023 caps

Scoring limits for AQA exams are availableHere.

include:

English:Maximum step 160, step 9 - 121, step 8 - 111, step 7 - 102, step 6 - 91, step 5 - 81, step 4 - 71, step 3 - 52, step 2 - 34, step 1 - 16

English literature:Maximum step 160, step 9 - 135, step 8 - 119, step 7 - 104, step 6 - 88, step 5 - 72, step 4 - 57, step 3 - 42, step 2 - 27, step 1 - 12

Math (upper):Maximum step 240, step 9 - 214, step 8 - 186, step 7 - 158, step 6 - 125, step 5 - 92, step 4 - 59, step 3 - 42

Mathematics (base):Max Rank 240, Rank 5 - 189, Rank 4 - 158, Rank 3 - 117, Rank 2 - 76, Rank 1 - 35

Pearson Edexcel GCSE Grade Limits for 2023

Exam score limits set by Pearson Edexcel are availableHere.

include:

English:Maximum class 160, class 9 - 131, class 8 - 122, class 7 - 113, class 6 - 102, class 5 - 91, class 4 - 80, class 3 - 58, class 2 - 36, class 1 - 15

English 2.0:Maximum class 160, class 9 - 134, class 8 - 123, class 7 - 113, class 6 - 99, class 5 - 86, class 4 -73, class 3 - 52, class 2 - 31, class 1 - 10

English literature:Maximum step 160, step 9 - 132, step 8 - 121, step 7 - 110, step 6 - 95, step 5 - 81, step 4 - 67, step 3 - 49, step 2 - 31, step 1 - 13

Math (upper):Maximum class 240, class 9 - 203, class 8 - 174, class 7 - 145, class 6 - 112, class 5 - 79, class 4 - 47, class 3 - 31

Mathematics (base):Maximum Rank 240, Rank 5 - 182, Rank 4 - 147, Rank 3 - 109, Rank 2 - 71, Rank 1 -33

CCEAGCSE 2023 Grade Restrictions

In Northern Ireland, tests are marked on a scale of nine categories, from A* to G, including C*, rather than the numbers currently used in England. CCEA exam scoring limits are availableHere.

In most subjects, the maximum grade is 400, with 320 grades for A, 292 for B, 268 for C* and 240 for C.

LOKGCSE 2023 Grade Restrictions

OCR test result limits are availableHere.

include:

English:Maximum step 160, step 9 - 129, step 8 - 118, step 7 - 107, step 6 - 94, step 5 - 81, step 4 - 69, step 3 - 50, step 2 - 32, step 1 - 14

English literature:Maximum Rank 160, Rank 9 - 134, Rank 8 - 118, Rank 7 - 103, Rank 6 - 85, Rank 5 - 67, Rank 4 - 49, Rank 3 - 37, Rank 2 - 25, Rank 1 - 13

Math (upper):Maximum Class 300, Class 9 - 242, Class 8 - 193, Class 7 - 144, Class 6 - 109, Class 5 - 74, Class 4 - 39, Class 3 - 21

Mathematics (base):Max Rating 200, Class 5 - 178, Class 4 - 129, Class 3 - 92, Class 2 - 56, Class 1 - 20

Caps with WJEC GCSE 2023 rating

In Wales, tests are still graded A* to G, rather than using the numbering system used in England. WJEC test result limits are availableHerefrom August 24.

include:

Biology:Marca máxima 400, A* - 360, A - 320, B - 280, C- 240, D- 200, E - 160, F- 120, G - 80

Chemical:Marca máxima 400, A* - 360, A - 320, B - 280, C- 240, D- 200, E - 160, F- 120, G - 80

French:Marca máxima 400, A* - 360, A - 320, B - 280, C- 240, D- 200, E - 160, F- 120, G - 80

German:Marca máxima 400, A* - 360, A - 320, B - 280, C- 240, D- 200, E - 160, F- 120, G - 80

English literature:Marca máxima 200, A* - 180, A - 160, B - 140, C- 120, D- 100, E - 80, F- 60, G - 40

History:Marca máxima 300, A* - 270, A - 240, B -210, C- 180, D- 150, E - 120, F- 90, G - 60

SuccessfulGCSE 2023 Grade Restrictions

Eligibility limits for exams set by Eduqs are availableHere.

include:

English:Maximum step 200, step 9 - 145, step 8 - 132, step 7 - 120, step 6 - 105, step 5 - 90, step 4 - 75, step 3 - 56, step 2 - 38, step 1 - 20

English literature:Maximum Class 200, Class 9 - 153, Class 8 - 141, Class 7 - 129, Class 6 - 114, Class 5 - 99, Class 4 - 85, Class 3 - 65, Class 2 - 45, Class 1 - 26

Math (upper):Maximum Class 240, Class 9 - 187, Class 8 - 152, Class 7 - 117, Class 6 - 88, Class 5 - 60, Class 4 - 32, Class 3 - 18

Mathematics (base):Maximum Rank 240, Rank 5 - 133, Rank 4 - 105, Rank 3 - 77, Rank 2 - 49, Rank 1 - 21,

Comparison of grades from GCSE grades and letters

GCSE 2023 grade limits with passing grades from AQA, Edexcel, CCEA, OCR and WJEC (1)

The grading system changed in 2017 in England and some subjects were graded 9 to 1 instead of A* to G. Additional subjects moved in 2018 andin 2019, even more items were marked with a new system of grade limitsand 2020 when the release ended.

The Department for Education stated that the 9-to-1 grading scale is to "better distinguish high-performing students and clearly distinguish old from new grades."

The ninth grade is the highest grade and is given to fewer students than the old A* grade. The old and new GCSE grading scales do not directly overlap, but there are three points where they converge.Find out more here

The standard grade is 4 and the solid grade is 5. Schools are pushing for students to get at least a 5 as government school ranking tables show what percentage of students have achieved a grade of 5 or above in English and Maths and inEnglish matriculationsubjects (English language and literature, math, science, geography or history, and one language).

FAQs

GCSE 2023 grade limits with passing grades from AQA, Edexcel, CCEA, OCR and WJEC? ›

CCEA GCSE grade boundaries 2023

What are the grade boundaries for GCSE 2023? ›

AQA GCSE grade boundaries for 2023
  • Maths (Higher): Max mark 240, Grade 9 - 214, Grade 8 - 186, Grade 7 - 158, Grade 6 - 125, Grade 5 - 92, Grade 4 - 59.
  • Maths (Foundation): Max mark 240, Grade 5 - 189, Grade 4 - 158.
Aug 24, 2023

How many marks do you need to pass maths GCSE 2023? ›

Summary of 2022 GCSE grades

There are still two pass marks. A 4 is a standard pass and 5 is a strong pass. This is the same as previous GCSE exams.

What GCSE grade is 77%? ›

According to this illustration, grade 4 requires 56 - 66 per cent, grade 5 requires 67 - 77 per cent and grade 6 requires 78 - 88 per cent.

What grade is 80 percent in GCSE AQA? ›

In all awarding bodies, the uniform mark grade boundaries in GCSEs are at the following percentages of the maximum uniform mark for the unit/module or qualification: A* 90%, A 80%, B 70%, C 60%, D 50%, E 40%, F 30%, G 20%.

What is a passing grade in 2023? ›

Most colleges and universities generally consider a "D" (or a 60% to 69% score) as a passing grade.

How are GCSE grade boundaries decided? ›

The decision-making process for grade boundaries is called “awarding”, and it is undertaken by a group of senior examiners from every exam board who are experts in their subject. This is overseen by Ofqual. The awarding process aims to ensure grades are reliable.

What percentage do you need to pass maths GCSE? ›

How many marks is it to pass GCSE Maths with AQA?
YearHigher paper pass markPercentage to pass
20194351%
20203948%
20213445%
20225156%
1 more row
May 16, 2021

How many marks needed to pass GCSE maths? ›

OCR GCSE Maths Grade Boundaries – Unlike AQA, according to OCR June 2022 maths grade boundaries candidates had to secure atleast 170(Foundation) and 82(Higher) marks respectively to get a strong pass.

What is the final GCSE exam 2023? ›

All GCSE exams, across all exam boards, take place during May and June 2023 this academic year. The first exam starts on 15th May 2023 and the final GCSE exam is due to take place on Wednesday 21st June.

What percentage of GCSE grades are getting in 2023? ›

This year, 22.7% of GCSEs were graded 9-7, compared to 21.9% in 2019. And 70.5% were graded 9-4, compared to 69.9% in 2019. On the other hand, the proportion graded 9-1 is slightly down: this year, it stands at 98.1%, compared to 98.4% in 2019.

What GCSE grade is 81%? ›

According to this illustration, grade 4 requires 56 - 66 per cent, grade 5 requires 67 - 77 per cent and grade 6 requires 78 - 88 per cent.

What GCSE grade is 75%? ›

What GCSE grade is 75%? 75% is GCSE grade 8 on a higher paper or grade 5 on a foundation paper.

What is a 82% GCSE grade? ›

Grade 7, according to the old system, means scoring a lower grade A. A student who gets grade 7 (lower A) must have scored approximately 70-82 per cent in their examinations.

What GCSE grade is 86%? ›

As a rough example, in a higher-tier maths exam, you can expect to gain a grade 6 with a 50-70 per cent overall mark, and an 8 if you achieve 86 per cent or more. Grade 9 is reserved for the upper half of the old-style A* (over 90 per cent in the paper overall).

Which English GCSE do you need to pass? ›

How many marks do you need to pass GCSE English 2022? According to bbc.com, students usually need to achieve a grade of '5' for a strong pass and '4' for a standard pass. Although, many government school students strictly need to secure a '5' in their GCSE English to pass.

What are the current GCSE grade boundaries? ›

The New GCSE Grading System

📌 Grades 7-9 are equivalent to the old grades A and A*. 📌 The bottom of grade 7 aligns with the bottom of grade A. 📌 Grades 4-6 are equivalent to the old grades B and C. 📌 The system has been designed so that the bottom of grade 1 aligns with the bottom of grade G.

What are grade boundaries in GCSE? ›

These are given in raw marks. A grade boundary is the minimum mark at which a numbered grade (between 9 and 1) can be achieved. For example, if the grade boundary for a Grade 6 is 70 marks, then 70 is the minimum mark at which a Grade 6 can be achieved. A mark of 69 would therefore be a Grade 5.

How many GCSE do you take 2023? ›

You need to take the right amount of them and work hard in all of them to ensure your success. The average student takes 8 GCSEs, give or take a few. Any more than this can take a toll on your sanity, as the workload becomes too much. And the more stress you put yourself under, the worse your eventual grades will be.

What is a 7 in GCSE percentage? ›

A student who gets grade 7 (lower A) must have scored approximately 70-82 per cent in their examinations. According to the GCSE 2022 grade boundaries, securing grade 7 is considered a pretty decent score.

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