New Grade 9-1 GCSEs Explained

Sep 5, 2026

Upload by Asher

The document details the changes to GCSEs, introducing the new '9-1' grading system and its alignment with the old G-A* grades. A Grade 4 in the new system is equivalent to a Grade C, with a Grade 5 being higher than a 4 but lower than a B. For students at North Kent College with a '3' or below in Maths and/or English, resit classes or Maths & English Functional Skills classes will be mandatory alongside their main course. New exams for GCSE Maths and English are scheduled for summer 2017, with no Foundation Level in the new English GCSEs. GCSE Science exams will begin in summer 2018, featuring a Combined Science option and separate Biology, Chemistry, and Physics GCSEs. The new GCSE courses will place a greater emphasis on end-of-year exams, with coursework and practical assessments playing a reduced role. Other GCSE subjects will transition to the new Grade 9-1 courses over the coming years, starting from September 2016.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

What's changing at GCSE?

The New Grade 9-1 GCSEs Explained

A bit more detail about the new GCSEs

FAQs

What is the relationship between the new GCSE grading system and the old system?

The new '9-1' grading system is introduced, where a Grade 4 is equivalent to an old Grade C. A Grade 5 is higher than a 4 but not as high as the old Grade B.

What happens to students who achieve a '3' or below in Maths and English at North Kent College?

Students scoring a '3' or below in Maths and/or English will be required to study these subjects alongside their main course. Those with a '3' will attend GCSE resit classes, while those below a 3 will attend Maths & English Functional Skills classes.

When will the new GCSE exams take place and what are the key changes?

The first new exams for GCSE Maths and English will be in summer 2017. There is no Foundation Level in the new English GCSEs. For Science, courses will start in summer 2018, with fewer options and a greater emphasis on end-of-year exams.

Sep 5, 2026

Upload by Asher