Grading: 9-1 Explanation
The Basics
EdExcel exam board along with most other UK exam boards have changed the grading scheme from A* to G to 9 - 1. Cambridge, for (I)GCSEs, has kept the A* to G scale. The equivalency of the 9 - 1 to A* - G grades is shown in the chart below - just click to reveal.
Simply put a :-
- 9 is equivalent to above an A* e.g. an A**
- 8 is equivalent to an A*
- 7 is equivalent to an A
- 6 is equivalent to a B
- 5 is equivalent to a high C
- 4 is equivalent to a low C
Resources explaining the reasons for change...
The EdExcel explanations are more complicated but the following slideshow explains how the 9-1 grades will be calculated / awarded : -
Video Explanations on the changes
FAQs
EdExcel produces its own FAQs page here which is definitely worth viewing.
Will DCSG be awarding and predicting 9 in the 9-1 system?
Yes DCSG will be predicting 9 - 1 grades. In general, the translation between the letter grade and the number is straightforward. The difficulty comes with the awarding of a '9'. This is done statistically from the whole international cohort after marking, as opposed to being a criteria based judgement. You will therefore not see any '9' levels achieved or predicted for these subjects, but you may see an 8/9 award if a student is demonstrating that they could potentially be part of the cohort who goes on to achieve a '9' once the actual IGCSE exam has been taken.
Will students receive exam grades with different grading systems?
Yes. Colleges, schools, Universities and employers are used to students having a mixture of numbers and grades.
Does the change in grading and combination of grading systems put students at a disadvantage?
No in fact, it could be an advantage as there is greater differentiation for students at the top grade of 8 or 9 which corresponds to an A* and above. This will place excellent students in a great position for applications to Universities, alongside having the strength of their IB Diploma programme and grades.