Parent Site: http://paragon.myvnc.com Paragon Publications UK |
Is The Teaching Profession so Black & White?
| “ I thought I was a good teacher and could not understand what was happening ” |
TES Article MENU
GCSE Grades? 1
Resources
As per the new system:
9 is equivalent to a high A*
8 is equivalent to a middle or low A*
7 is equivalent to an A
6 is equivalent to a middle to high B
5 is equivalent to a low to middle B
4 is equivalent to a C
3 can be equivalent to either D or E
2 can be equivalent to either E or F
1 is equivalent to a G
U is equivalent to U
In Wales and Northern Ireland, GCSEs are still graded based on the A* to G scale.
9 is equivalent to a high A*
8 is equivalent to a middle or low A*
7 is equivalent to an A
6 is equivalent to a middle to high B
5 is equivalent to a low to middle B
4 is equivalent to a C
3 can be equivalent to either D or E
2 can be equivalent to either E or F
1 is equivalent to a G
U is equivalent to U
In Wales and Northern Ireland, GCSEs are still graded based on the A* to G scale.
What are the GCSE grade boundaries for 2023?
A grade boundary dictates the minimum mark you need to achieve a particular grade, whether that be a 9, 4, or 1 in England, or A*, C, or G in Wales and Northern Ireland. Boundaries vary year on year depending on how well a cohort performed.
This prevents students from being penalised with poor grades if the exam was especially challenging; but also means that if lots of students performed well in a particular exam, they will need higher marks to achieve the top grade. Boundaries for each subject are dictated by exam boards once all papers have been marked.
Will grade boundaries be different this year?
As grade boundaries vary each year, they could be different in 2023 than in previous years. However, they will likely be higher than in 2022, 2021, and 2020 - (meaning you need higher marks to achieve the top grades) - as examiners are trying to bring results back in-line with pre-pandemic levels.
This means it is more worthwhile to compare 2023 grade boundaries with 2019. So, if the 2023 cohort finds this year’s exams more challenging (and that is reflected in their marks), then boundaries might be dropped in comparison with 2019. This would mean you would need a lower mark than before to achieve a 7, 8 or 9.
However, Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), has said he would “caution” direct comparisons between 2023 and 2019, because of the “disproportionate impact of the pandemic and subsequent cost-of-living crisis on young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.”
He continued: “It is likely that the outcomes for many of these young people will be affected by these factors and this may also impact on the results of schools which serve disadvantaged communities.”
A grade boundary dictates the minimum mark you need to achieve a particular grade, whether that be a 9, 4, or 1 in England, or A*, C, or G in Wales and Northern Ireland. Boundaries vary year on year depending on how well a cohort performed.
This prevents students from being penalised with poor grades if the exam was especially challenging; but also means that if lots of students performed well in a particular exam, they will need higher marks to achieve the top grade. Boundaries for each subject are dictated by exam boards once all papers have been marked.
Will grade boundaries be different this year?
As grade boundaries vary each year, they could be different in 2023 than in previous years. However, they will likely be higher than in 2022, 2021, and 2020 - (meaning you need higher marks to achieve the top grades) - as examiners are trying to bring results back in-line with pre-pandemic levels.
This means it is more worthwhile to compare 2023 grade boundaries with 2019. So, if the 2023 cohort finds this year’s exams more challenging (and that is reflected in their marks), then boundaries might be dropped in comparison with 2019. This would mean you would need a lower mark than before to achieve a 7, 8 or 9.
However, Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), has said he would “caution” direct comparisons between 2023 and 2019, because of the “disproportionate impact of the pandemic and subsequent cost-of-living crisis on young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.”
He continued: “It is likely that the outcomes for many of these young people will be affected by these factors and this may also impact on the results of schools which serve disadvantaged communities.”
Story by Imogen Howse 24.08.23
msn.com/Nation World
msn.com/Nation World
GCSE Grades Explained