20/08/2026
GCSE grades can still be confusing, especially if you grew up with the old A*–G system, so hopefully this comparison helps.
But there are a few things that are much more important than simply working out what the old equivalent might have been.
A U is the only ungraded result.
Grades 1–3 are still GCSE grades and Level 1 qualifications. They may not meet the entry requirements for a particular course, but they are not “nothing”.
And please remember: grades are personal.
For one student, a 9 might be the result they expected. For another, getting that 3 might have taken every ounce of effort they had.
You cannot look at a number on a piece of paper and know the story behind it.
For English: a grade 4 in either English Language or English Literature generally means you will not be required to continue studying and resitting GCSE English. However, always check the requirements for your next course, college or sixth form.
It is also worth thinking further ahead. Some university courses have specific GCSE requirements and may ask for a 5 or above in English Language specifically, for example.
And if a result today has surprised or disappointed you:
Check the grade boundaries and find out your actual mark. If you are only one or two marks away from the next grade, speak to your school or college about whether a review of marking might be appropriate.
Most importantly, don’t panic.
A GCSE result can change the route you take, but it very rarely means the destination is suddenly impossible.
There is nearly always another route to where you want to go. 💚
And whatever the numbers on that piece of paper say today, remember: they tell us what happened in a handful of exams. They don’t tell us everything about you.
