GCSE Results Day 2019

Thursday 22nd August is GCSE Results day 2019. Today, students across the country receive their grades. 

GCSE results can be collected from the institution of study on Thursday morning. Alternatively, results can be requested by post, or collected by a relative.

GCSE Grading System

In 2017 there was a change in the GCSE grading system. The previous A*- G grades are now replaced with a numerical grade equivalent. The grades score from 1-9, where 1 is the lowest and 9 highest.

This is the second year the new grading system is being implemented. In 2017, maths and English were the only subjects to use this grading system in order to slowly introduce it. In 2018, 20 more subjects used the new system, with the remainder following this year. This numerical system can loosely be compared to the A-G grades.

• Grade 7 equals to grade A and above
• Grade 4 equals to grade C and above
• Grade 1 equals to grade G and above

A grade 5 is a high C pass, where a grade 4 is a low C pass.

The numerical grades were introduced by Michael Gove, former education secretary, to differentiate amongst the brightest pupils. On average, fewer grade 9s will be awarded than A* grades. In 2019, just 732 amongst more than half a million students taking their GCSEs achieved a grade 9.

In previous years, grade boundaries were posted online ahead of results day by the exam boards. In the last two years however, grade boundaries are now posted on the day, in order to prevent unnecessary stress.

According to the Department of Education, ‘The new, more challenging GCSEs will help young people develop the skills that employers tell us they need.’

Receiving GCSE Results

GCSE results determine whether the student is accepted at their 6thform or college of choice, to study their chosen A-Level subjects. If a student isn’t accepted into their first choice, should they not receive their predicted grades, back up options are chosen in advance.

It is advisable to contact the 6thform or college to explore other options; sometimes they accept lower grades. Alternatively, another course can be chosen, or a different institute of study.

Students can appeal their grades if they feel they have been marked unfairly. This can be done through the school, or independently through the exam board.

There are other alternatives to A-Levels however, if the results received weren’t as expected. BTEC qualifications are coursework-based modules that can be taken instead of A-Levels. Apprenticeships are another option to consider, in place of continuing further education.

Good luck to all students on GCSE Results Day 2019!

Click here for more information on GCSE Results.