What Does a Grade 4 in GCSE Mathematics Mean?

Grade 4 is the official “pass” of the GCSE rating system, and is the equivalent of a grade C in the old system. This is an important rating, as it is required for entry into higher education or employment. Before the system changed, a grade C was accepted as a requirement for entry into higher education or employment, and now a grade 4 is accepted. The lower end of the GCSE rating system has also changed.

Previously, grades D, E, F, and G were suspended, with U being 'Not Classified'. Now, GCSE's failed ratings come in 3, 2 and 1, with U being the only constant in the GCSE rating system. A grade 3 is not fully equivalent to a GCSE degree. Today, GCSE's new grade equivalents range from 1 to 9, with 9 being the highest a student can achieve.

It can be difficult to understand this concept when studying an online GCSE English course, a gcse online math course, or GCSE science courses. To continue studying at school or university, a grade 4 or higher is required in exams such as English and mathematics. Higher-level papers now contain more demanding questions and only about one-sixth of the grades in those papers are designed for students working in grade 4.All examinations are set at the end of Year 11 and are assessed using the 9-1 scoring system. This means that only about 20% of the questions on the paper are designed for grade 4.The Department of Education recognizes a GCSE of grade 4 or higher as a “standard pass”.

Grade limits are now only released to students on the day of results, whereas they were previously published in advance. With learndirect, you can study both GCSE courses and equivalent qualifications from the comfort of your own home. You'll also find many learnings, except certain degrees in GCSE, with advanced learnings looking for five GCSEs in grades 9-4, including English and mathematics.

Shahid Lakha
Shahid Lakha

Shahid Lakha is a seasoned educational consultant with a rich history in the independent education sector and EdTech. With a solid background in Physics, Shahid has cultivated a career that spans tutoring, consulting, and entrepreneurship. As an Educational Consultant at Spires Online Tutoring since October 2016, he has been instrumental in fostering educational excellence in the online tutoring space. Shahid is also the founder and director of Specialist Science Tutors, a tutoring agency based in West London, where he has successfully managed various facets of the business, including marketing, web design, and client relationships. His dedication to education is further evidenced by his role as a self-employed tutor, where he has been teaching Maths, Physics, and Engineering to students up to university level since September 2011. Shahid holds a Master of Science in Photon Science from the University of Manchester and a Bachelor of Science in Physics from the University of Bath.