[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"detail-sidebar-cat-0-en-105":3,"doc-seo-206614-105":59,"doc-detail-206614-en":124},{"code":4,"msg":5,"data":6},0,"success",[7,13,18,23,28,33,38,43,48,51,55],{"id":8,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":9,"category_name":10,"show_sort_weight":11,"slug":12},1,"Document","Story & Novel",90,"story-novel",{"id":14,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":9,"category_name":15,"show_sort_weight":16,"slug":17},2,"Literature",80,"literature",{"id":19,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":9,"category_name":20,"show_sort_weight":21,"slug":22},4,"Exam",70,"exam",{"id":24,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":9,"category_name":25,"show_sort_weight":26,"slug":27},5,"Comic",60,"comic",{"id":29,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":9,"category_name":30,"show_sort_weight":31,"slug":32},6,"Technology",50,"technology",{"id":34,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":9,"category_name":35,"show_sort_weight":36,"slug":37},7,"Healthcare",40,"healthcare",{"id":39,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":9,"category_name":40,"show_sort_weight":41,"slug":42},8,"Research & Report",30,"research-report",{"id":44,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":9,"category_name":45,"show_sort_weight":46,"slug":47},9,"Religion & Spirituality",20,"religion-spirituality",{"id":46,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":9,"category_name":49,"show_sort_weight":46,"slug":50},"World Cup","world-cup",{"id":52,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":9,"category_name":53,"show_sort_weight":52,"slug":54},10,"Lifestyle","lifestyle",{"id":56,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":9,"category_name":57,"show_sort_weight":24,"slug":58},19,"General","general",{"code":4,"msg":60,"data":61},"ok",{"site_id":62,"language":63,"slug":64,"title":65,"keywords":66,"description":67,"schema_data":68,"social_meta":117,"head_meta":119,"extra_data":121,"updated_unix":123},105,"en","changes-to-ccea-gcses-in-northern-ireland-new-nine-letter-grading-scale-ag-guidance-for-setting-entry-requirements","CHANGES TO CCEA GCSEs IN NORTHERN IRELAND - New Nine Letter Grading Scale A*–G - Guidance for Setting Entry Requirements","","A briefing on CCEA GCSE grading changes in Northern Ireland from September 2017, introducing a new nine-letter scale A*–G and aligning it with the 9–1 numeric system phased in from 2017. It explains how C* maps to numeric thresholds, how higher grades (A* and grade 8) are redistributed, and why there may be no direct equivalents for some entry requirements. Guidance covers implications for providers setting application criteria, including comparisons with Wales’ continued eight-grade A*–G structure and cautions when listing alphabetical thresholds.",{"@graph":69,"@context":116},[70,84,99],{"@type":71,"itemListElement":72},"BreadcrumbList",[73,77,79,82],{"item":74,"name":75,"@type":76,"position":8},"https://docshare.wps.com","Home","ListItem",{"item":78,"name":9,"@type":76,"position":14},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/",{"item":80,"name":20,"@type":76,"position":81},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/exam/",3,{"item":83,"name":65,"@type":76,"position":19},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/changes-to-ccea-gcses-in-northern-ireland-new-nine-letter-grading-scale-ag-guidance-for-setting-entry-requirements/206614/",{"url":83,"name":65,"@type":85,"author":86,"headline":65,"publisher":89,"fileFormat":92,"inLanguage":63,"description":67,"dateModified":93,"datePublished":93,"encodingFormat":92,"isAccessibleForFree":94,"interactionStatistic":95},"DigitalDocument",{"name":87,"@type":88},"Bill Black","Person",{"url":74,"name":90,"@type":91},"DocShare","Organization","application/pdf","2026-09-05",true,{"@type":96,"interactionType":97,"userInteractionCount":4},"InteractionCounter",{"@type":98},"ViewAction",{"@type":100,"mainEntity":101},"FAQPage",[102,108,112],{"name":103,"@type":104,"acceptedAnswer":105},"When do the CCEA GCSE grading changes take effect in Northern Ireland?","Question",{"text":106,"@type":107},"From September 2017 for first teaching, with the 9–1 structure awarded phased in from 2017 and the old A*–G structure phased out from 2019.","Answer",{"name":109,"@type":104,"acceptedAnswer":110},"What new grading scale is introduced for CCEA GCSEs?",{"text":111,"@type":107},"A new nine-letter GCSE grading scale A*–G is introduced, including the C* grade, and it is aligned to the numeric 9–1 system at various points.",{"name":113,"@type":104,"acceptedAnswer":114},"How should providers adjust GCSE entry requirements when setting criteria on the new scale?",{"text":115,"@type":107},"Providers should consider that there may be no direct equivalent between some letter grades and the numeric system (e.g., grade 8), and that grade A* may be awarded to fewer students than under the previous model. Care is also needed with alphabetical thresholds, especially above grade C, and when comparing with Wales’ continued eight-grade A*–G structure.","https://schema.org",{"og:url":83,"og:type":118,"og:title":65,"og:site_name":90,"og:description":67},"article",{"robots":120,"canonical":83},"index,follow",{"doc_id":122,"site_id":62},206614,1788595053,{"code":4,"msg":5,"data":125},{"doc_id":122,"user_id":126,"nickname":87,"user_avatar":127,"doc_module":4,"category_id":19,"category_name":20,"doc_title":65,"doc_description":67,"doc_content":128,"file_id":129,"file_url":130,"file_type":131,"file_size":132,"view_count":4,"is_deleted":4,"is_public":8,"is_downloadable":8,"audit_status":8,"page_count":14,"language":133,"language_code":63,"site_id":62,"html_lang":63,"table_of_contents":134,"faqs":135,"seo_title":136,"seo_description":67,"update_tm":123,"read_time":24},24189269381491,"https://ap-avatar.wpscdn.com/avatar/160000cf11732dd8392?x-image-process=image/resize,m_fixed,w_180,h_180&k=1788146458752108895","CHANGES TOCCEA GCSEs IN NORTHERN IRELAND  \nFrom September 2017 first teaching, CCEA introduced  \na new nine letter GCSE grading scale (A* – G).  \nThis new system introduces the C* grade and alignsto the numeric system at various points.  \nThe new system was introduced following a ministerial decision to change GCSE grading in Northern Ireland to a new alphabetical scale. Below is the CCEA grade comparison table – we’ve expanded on the information provided to help inform your decisions on setting entry requirements.  \nWhilst it’s natural for providers to set their entry requirements at different points on the scale based on the competitiveness of a course, e.g. at grades B or C*, it may be useful to explain these decisions.  \nThis could be in the entry requirements, or qualification reform statements.  \nThe new letter and numeric scales introduce more grades at the higher end of the scale, and allow for greater differentiation among high achieving students.  \nNew A*– G structure  \n(summer 2019)  \n9 – 1 structure  \n(awarding phasedin from 2017)  \nOld A*– G structure  \n(phased out from 2019)  \n\n| A*\u003Cbr>| 9 |\n| --- | --- |\n| A | 8\u003Cbr>7 |\n\nThe A* has been readjusted to align with grade 9, therefore proportionally fewer students will achieve an A* from 2019. Grade 8 will fall between grade A and A* .  \nA*  \nA  \nGrade 9 will be awarded to approximately 20% of students who achieve a grade 7 or above. Highly selective providers that currently require an A* should note, this will reduce the number of applicants from Northern Ireland who would have previously achieved this.  \nThere will be no direct equivalent between the new letter scale and the grade 8. Therefore, providers that set entry requirements at grades 8 and 9 under the numeric system, would require grades A* and A for students taking CCEA GCSEs, to attract those with similar ability.  \nIt should also be noted, GCSEs offered by WJEC in Wales will continue to follow the eight grade A* – G structure. Therefore, care should be taken when listing alphabetical entry requirements above a grade C. The C* aligns to the grade 5, which accounts for the top third of students who would have previously achieved a grade C, and the bottom third of students who would have achieved a grade B in the alphabetical system. A grade B in the eight grade A* – G structure covers both part of the C* and the B in the nine point scale.  \nMore information about the changes to CCEA GCSEs in Northern Ireland, along with resources to advise students, can be found on CCEA’s website.  \nYou may also find our flyer Changes to GCSE grading for England useful when setting entry requirements.","cbCaivF09XyLhEFS","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaivF09XyLhEFS","pdf",146673,"English","# CHANGES TO CCEA GCSEs IN NORTHERN IRELAND\n## New A*–G structure and the 9–1 system\n## Grade alignment, equivalents, and provider setting of entry requirements\n## Comparisons with WJEC Wales and key cautions\n## Where to find more information","[{\"question\":\"When do the CCEA GCSE grading changes take effect in Northern Ireland?\",\"answer\":\"From September 2017 for first teaching, with the 9–1 structure awarded phased in from 2017 and the old A*–G structure phased out from 2019.\"},{\"question\":\"What new grading scale is introduced for CCEA GCSEs?\",\"answer\":\"A new nine-letter GCSE grading scale A*–G is introduced, including the C* grade, and it is aligned to the numeric 9–1 system at various points.\"},{\"question\":\"How should providers adjust GCSE entry requirements when setting criteria on the new scale?\",\"answer\":\"Providers should consider that there may be no direct equivalent between some letter grades and the numeric system (e.g., grade 8), and that grade A* may be awarded to fewer students than under the previous model. Care is also needed with alphabetical thresholds, especially above grade C, and when comparing with Wales’ continued eight-grade A*–G structure.\"}]","CHANGES TO CCEA GCSEs IN NORTHERN IRELAND - New Nine Letter Grading Scale A*–G - Guidance for Setting Entry Requirements | PDF"]