Good GCSE grades are the foundation of your future education and career. Defining good GCSEs is fairly subjective, but in this article, I tried to give you a clear image of what good GCES grades are.
- 8 – 9, Excellent GCSE grades
- 6 – 7, Good GCSE grades
- 5, Strong pass
- 4, Standard pass
- >4, failing grades
How Does the GCSE Grading System Work?
The GCSE grading system used to be defined in a range from A* to F, but the system of GCSE grades changed to a more accurate grading scale in 2017. Currently, GCSE scores range from 9 to 1, with 9 being the highest grade. In the old grading scale, A* could mean 8 or 9, and C could mean 4 or 5, but this ambiguity is revised in the new grading system.
There is more differentiation in the new grading system. For instance, 5 is a strong pass, and 4 is a standard pass. Scores below 4 are failing scores, and if students get 3, 2, or 1 in their GCSEs, they have to resit the exam. In other words, you need at least a grade 4 to pass the exam.
Finally, if a student fails to get the minimum GCSE grade (i.e., 1), their score will be categorised as grade U, which stands for Ungraded. This usually happens if the examinee is absent or engages in academic misconduct (e.g., cheating or plagiarism). The table below summarises the GCSE grading system.
| New vs Old Grading System | ||
| Numeric Grade | Old Letter Grade Equivalent | Description |
| 9 | A* | Highest grade, indicating exceptional performance |
| 8 | A* | Slightly below a 9, still indicating excellent performance |
| 7 | A | Strong performance |
| 6 | B | Good performance |
| 5 | C (strong pass) | Strong pass; considered a good achievement |
| 4 | C (standard pass) | Standard pass; minimum pass level for most purposes |
| 3 | D | Below pass; indicates some understanding but below standard pass level |
| 2 | E | Poor performance |
| 1 | F/G | Very poor performance |
| U | U | Ungraded; indicates performance below the minimum required level |
What Are Good GCSE Grades?
This is an open-ended question. Good GCSE grades are defined based on your educational targets. Whether a GCSE score is low or high depends on factors such as the subject you want to major in and the entry requirements of the college or university you want to apply for.
Generally speaking, grades 9 to 7 show excellent performance, 5 and 6 indicate good performance and grade 4 is the minimum grade a student needs to pass the exam, and it is not a good score.
Data from the last GCSE exam in 2023 shows that GCSE 4 has the highest frequency in England.
| Frequency of GCSE Grades in 2023 | |
| GCSE Grade | Percentage of Students |
| 9 | 4.9% |
| 8 | 7.1% |
| 7 | 11.3% |
| 6 | 13.6% |
| 5 | 14.6% |
| 4 | 16.8% |
| 3 | 11.4% |
| 2 | 9.0% |
| 1 | 6.0% |
Also Read: Hardest GCSEs ranked
GCSE Grades and Your Future
GCSEs are the first serious step students take towards higher education. It determines if they can continue their education in their preferred subjects and universities. Getting good A-level grades and admission into top universities determines their career and their income. Basically, good GCSE grades can be the beginning of a great life.
Significance of GCSE Maths and English Language
GCSE maths and English are the core GCSE subjects, and no matter what subject you want to study at university or college, you should at least get a 4 or 5 in these subjects. The importance of GCSE maths and English is due to several factors.
- Foundational skills: Proficiency in English indicates the student’s ability to communicate well in oral and written language, which is essential for participating in discussions and completing assignments. Similarly, good maths performance shows critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which are applicable in virtually all subjects.
- Academic preparedness: The student’s GCSE grades in maths and English represent their overall potential for academic success.
- Employability: Even if a student does not want to continue their education and directly enter the workforce after secondary education, they need a good command of maths and English for most jobs.
- Governmental rules: Based on the national educational standards defined by the UK Department of Education, all students must pass GCSE maths and English to progress in education or career.
What GCSE Grades Do I Need?
You should first research the entry requirements of your preferred universities. For average universities in the UK, you need at least five GCSEs at grade 4, and for top universities, you need at least seven GCSEs at grade 7 or above. Normally, you need high GCSE grades (7 or above) for the subjects you want to study at the university. The tables below show the entry requirements for average and top universities in the UK.
Average Universities
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GCSE Grade Entry Requirements for Average Universities in the UK |
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| University | GCSE English | GCSE Maths | Additional Requirements |
| University of Hertfordshire | Minimum grade 4 | Minimum grade 4 | Five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including core subjects. Specific courses may require higher grades in relevant subjects. |
| University of Brighton | Minimum grade 4 | Minimum grade 4 | Five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including core subjects. Some courses may require higher grades. |
| Sheffield Hallam University | Minimum grade 4 | Minimum grade 4 | Five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including core subjects. Certain courses, especially in health and engineering, may require higher grades. |
| University of West London | Minimum grade 4 | Minimum grade 4 | Five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including core subjects. Some courses may have specific subject requirements. |
| University of Portsmouth | Minimum grade 4 | Minimum grade 4 | Five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English and Maths. Specific courses may require higher grades in relevant subjects. |
Top Universities
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GCSE Grade Entry Requirements for Top Universities in the UK |
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| University | GCSE English | GCSE Maths | Additional Requirements |
| University of Oxford | Minimum grade 7 | Minimum grade 7 | High grades (8/9) preferred in relevant subjects. At least six to seven GCSEs at grade 7 or above. |
| University of Cambridge | Minimum grade 6 | Minimum grade 6 | High grades (7-9) in relevant subjects. At least six to seven GCSEs at grade 7 or above. |
| University College London (UCL) | Minimum grade 6 | Minimum grade 6 | Five GCSEs at grade 6 or above, including English Language and Maths. Some courses may require higher grades in specific subjects. |
| King’s College London | Minimum grade 5 | Minimum grade 5 | Five GCSEs at grade 5 or above, including English and Maths. Higher grades may be required for competitive courses. |
| Imperial College London | Minimum grade 6 | Minimum grade 6 | High grades (7-9) in relevant subjects. At least six to seven GCSEs at grade 7 or above. |
| London School of Economics (LSE) | Minimum grade 6 | Minimum grade 6 | High grades (7-9) in relevant subjects. Strong performance in a broad range of GCSE subjects. |
| University of Edinburgh | Minimum grade 4 | Minimum grade 4 | Five GCSEs at grade 4 or above. Higher grades may be required for competitive courses, with strong performance in relevant subjects. |
| University of Manchester | Minimum grade 6 | Minimum grade 6 | At least seven GCSEs at grade 7 or above, including English Language and Maths. Some courses may require higher grades in specific subjects. |
Also read:
Sometimes, things do not work out as expected. In another article, I have expanded on what to do if you get bad GCSE grades. Keep in mind that GCSEs aren’t the only way to success; there are several alternatives to GCSEs that might be the right path for you.
How To Achieve Good GCSEs?
Now that we have covered some basics about good and average GCSE grades, let’s go over some guidelines on how to achieve good GCSE grades.
1. Design a Revision Schedule
Admission into top universities requires hard work. But hard work is not resultful when it is not planned. You should understand your strengths and weaknesses and design a revision plan that is right for you. For your revision plan to work out, you should (A) be realistic and (B) stick to the plan.
You can download these GCSE timetable templates to organise your revision plan and track your progress to stay on top of GCSE revision.
2. Employ Study Tools
There are many study techniques around, but not all of them work for you. You should employ study techniques and strategies based on your learning style. If you feel sleepy the moment you pick up a book, try to make it more engaging by highlighting the text with different colours (colour coding) or taking notes.
3. Get Help From a Tutor
It is exhausting to study a subject you do not like, especially when it is complicated by nature. You need someone to encourage you to keep you going. Sometimes, parents can provide the motivation you need to keep going, but when it comes to practical guidelines and expert advice, they cannot do much. That is why you need to get help from a tutor.
Ostado‘s tutors are broadly educated and are extensively familiar with the GCSE exams and their challenges. They can help you devise a practical revision schedule, oversee your progress, and provide you with the feedback and motivation you need to ace the GCSE exams set. Click here to find your preferred GCSE tutors.
4. Use Different Resources
Diversifying your revision resources maximises your preparedness for the exam. Plus, it makes the revision process more interesting. With an internet connection, you can access a plethora of GCSE revision videos and podcasts.
5. Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle
Getting good GCSE grades isn’t just a matter of having a revision plan and studying different resources. You should also eat nutritious food and get enough sleep at night. This saves you a lot of time and helps you stay productive and avoid burnout.
I have elaborated on how to get good grades in GCSE in another article. Click on the link to learn about the steps to take to get good GCSE grades.
What Are Good GCSE Grades; Last Words
You should set your goals before deciding what GCSE grades are good, bad, or average. When you research the entry requirements of your preferred university, you should devise a revision plan focusing on your weaknesses. You can rely on the expertise and experience of GCSE tutors to turn your weaknesses into your strengths. Remember to put your health first and avoid studying for too long to avoid burnout.