The Online Physics Tutor
Dr Andrew Gibson
&
Mr Lander Bennewith

How current number grades 9-1 align to old letter A*-U. TOPT translation

4/C and above is considered to be a passing grade.

7/A and above is a higher pass

We believe part of the reason for the switch numerical grades, was to blur the lines between grades. Previous the cut off between C/D was considered as pass/fail respectively. Not that line is more indistinct, with some places considering 4 or 5 the cut off between pass and fail.

Also numerical grades should allow schools and colleges to be more flexible, or demanding when selecting students for A-level courses, depending on the circumstances of that school. Most school this cut off is a higher pass, but if that is considered 6, 7, or 8 will depend on the school.

There was also the ideal that adding a A** grade in future would not work. Now a grade 9 really translates to an A** and level the possibility of introducing a grade 10, and beyond in the future, with the idea of reflecting increasing standard of education and students.