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 to numerical grades was to blur the lines between grades. Previously, the cutoff between C/D was considered pass/fail, respectively. Now that line is more indistinct, with different people/places considering 4 or 5 the cut-off between pass and fail. Although recently, 4/3 is becoming a hard pass/fail cut-off.
Also, numerical grades should allow schools and colleges to be more flexible, or more demanding, when selecting students for A-level courses, depending on the school's circumstances. At most schools, this cut-off is a higher pass, but whether that is considered 6, 7, or 8 will depend on the school.
There was also the idea that adding a A** grade in future would not work. Now a grade 9 really translates to an A**. There is now the possibility of introducing a grade 10, and beyond, in the future, to reflect the increasing standard of education and students.
These data show the percentage of students who achieved each grade in 2023-2022.
Then, what fraction of students achieved a passing grade and above, or higher passing grades and above, from 1988 to 2023?
The COVID-19 pandemic and school closures in the UK led to exams being cancelled nationwide, with grades in 2020 and 2021 based on teacher and school assessments. This led to more students achieving higher grades.
Grades in 2022 and 2023 seem to have returned to a similar baseline,n roughly consistent since 2010.
Data from 2024 is not yet available because some students are having papers marked, so not all grades are finalised and available.
https://www.statista.com/statistics/282537/gcse-highest-pass-rate-in-uk/
The progression to A-level
How GCSE grades translate to A-levels in Physics, Chemistry and Maths.
The progression from GCSE to A-level can be tough. At GCSE, it is often enough to pay attention in class; at A-level, this isn't the case. Most schools have had to cut teaching time for A-level students. So if students don't use their free time to study and do worksheets, they will underperform. This is one reason why we provide free worksheets on our website. We believe work ethic is a much better indicator of A-level performance than GCSE grades.
Key takeaways from this for a prospective student of The Online Physics Tutor, studying physics or Chemistry at A-level:
If you scored an 8 or 9 at GCSE you have 57% of chance of scoring and A*/A at level, and 23% chance of a B.
With a 7 at GCSE you have about a 1 in 7 chance of getting an A*/A at level. So your chances have decreased a lot. About a 1 in 4 chance of a B, so not much difference there compared to the 8/9.
With a 6 or below you only have 3-4% chance of a A*/A at Physics A-level. It is better in Chemistry, with a 9% chance, so the odds are against you to go from a 6 to an A, but it is still achievable with enough effort. Doing THE WORKSHEETS ON HERE will help a lot.
With our help, these chances can improve massively, as we regularly get students up by at least one or two grades, so CONTACT US.
Dr Andy Gibson
BSc PGCE QTS MSc PhD
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