Results Explained - GCSE Maths, English Language, Science and Functional Skills Grading

Sep 5, 2026

Upload by Miles

Guide for parents to interpret school assessment outcomes across GCSE and related qualifications. Explains how paper marks are combined for GCSE Maths and GCSE English Language, how overall grades are awarded on a 1–9 scale (with U for unclassified when pass marks are not met), and how GCSE Science is graded across six papers for Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. Covers grading approaches for GCSE Art, Functional Skills (Pass certificates without grades), Functional Skills ICT, BTEC performing arts and sport, GCSE Food Technology, and entry-level qualifications including ELC Science and entry-level steps for English and Maths.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages8

Reading Time20 min

AccessFree to download

GCSE Maths

GCSE English Language

GCSE Science

GCSE Art

Functional Skills English/Maths

Functional Skills ICT

BTEC Level 1/2 Performing Arts and BTEC Level 1 Certificate in Sport and Active Leisure

GCSE Food Technology

ELC Science

Entry Level Maths

Entry Level English (Step Up to English)

Grading new GCSEs from 2017

GCSE Combined Science

Science GCSEs are changing in England

# UnderstandingResults This document isintended to helpyou understandyour results. Laleham Gap SchoolRESULTS EXPLAINED ## GCSE MATHS: There are 3 papers.The first paper is non-calculator,and the second and third papers arecalculator.The marks for each paper will be added together and an overall grade will beissued based on performance across the 3 assessments. The overall grades awarded will be graded 1 to 9-where 9 is the best grade.See attachedGCSE grading sheet. If you do not get enough marks across the 3 papers to achieve a pass grade,you willbeawarded a U which means 'Unclassified'. ## GCSE ENGLISH LANGUAGE: There are 2 papers.The marks for each paper will be added together and an overall gradewill be issued based on performance across the 2 assessments. The overall grades awarded will be graded 1 to 9-where 9 is the best grade.See attachedGCSE grading sheet. If you do not get enough marks across the 2 papers to achieve a pass grade,you will beawarded a U which means 'Unclassified'. ## GCSE SCIENCE: There are 6 papers in total that are written.2 papers for Biology,2 papers for Chemistry and2 papers for Physics.The overall grade will be given across all 6 papers on a 1-9 scale,where 9 is the best grade. If you don't get enough marks in a unit to achieve a passing grade,you will be awarded a U,which means 'Unclassified'. ## GSCE ART The qualification willbe graded on a nine-point scale:1 to 9-where 9 is the best grade. Students who fail to reach the minimum standard for grade 1 will be recorded as U(unclassified)and will not receive a qualification certificate. ## FUNCTIONAL SKILLS ENGLISH/MATHS Where a candidate's performance is sufficient,a Pass certificate is awarded.No grades areissued with respect to these qualifications. ## ● Functional Skills: Pis Pass U is Unclassified ## FUNCTIONAL SKILLS ICT Where a candidate's performance is sufficient,a Pass certificate is awarded. · Pis Pass ● Fis Fail · FN is fail,but nearly a pass ## BTEC LEVEL 1/2 PERFORMING ARTS AND BTEC LEVEL 1 CERTIFICATE IN SPORTAND ACTIVE LEISURE Grades are awarded at 3 levels and unclassified: Pis Pass M is Merit D is Distinction U is Unclassified ## GCSE FOOD TECHNOLOGY: The qualification willbe graded on a nine-point scale:1 to 9-where 9 is the best grade. Students who fail to reach the minimum standard for grade 1 will be recorded as U(unclassified)and willnot receive a qualification certificate. ### ELC SCIENCE: Marks for the externally set tasks are combined to give a maximum mark of 150.Thecandidate's total mark out of 150 then gives the level they have achieved as shown in thetable below: | Level | Minimum total marks required | | --- | --- | | Fail | Below 30 | | Entry Level 1 | 30/150 | | Entry Level 2 | 65/150 | | Entry Level 3 | 100/150 | A pass at Entry Level 3 is the highest grade. ## ENTRY LEVEL MATHS: The qualification will be graded and awarded on a three-point scale:Entry 1,Entry 2 andEntry 3 where Entry 3 is the best grade. Students who fail to reach the minimum standard for Entry 1 willbe recorded as U(unclassified)and will not receive a qualification certificate. ### ENTRY LEVEL ENGLISH(STEP UP TO ENGLISH): The qualification will be graded and awarded at Entry 1 or Entry 2 for students entered forSilver Step and at Entry 3 for students entered for Gold Step. Students who fail to reach the minimum standard for the step at which they are entered willbe recorded as U (unclassified)and will not receive a qualification certificate. ## Grading new GCSEs from 2017 New grading structure Current grading structure 9 A* 8 A 7 6 GOOD PASS(DfE) B 5and above=top of Cand above 5 4 AWARDING C 4 and above=bottom of C and above R 目B■R■B ■B D 3 E 2 F 1 G U U 61 ish literature and Exams in reformed English language, maths GCSEs will be taken for the first time in 20---;se will be graded fro

FAQs

How are GCSE Maths overall grades calculated?

GCSE Maths has three papers: the first is non-calculator and the second and third are calculator. Marks from all three papers are added, and an overall grade is issued based on performance across the assessments.

What does a U grade mean for GCSE subjects?

If a learner does not achieve enough marks across the required papers or units to reach a pass grade, the outcome is U, meaning Unclassified.

How is GCSE Science graded when there are six papers?

GCSE Science consists of six papers: two for Biology, two for Chemistry, and two for Physics. The overall grade is awarded across all six papers on a 1–9 scale, with 9 as the best grade.

Sep 5, 2026

Upload by Miles