How the GCSE 9-1 grade boundaries work ahead of results day

NewsUK & World NewsGCSE resultsGrade boundaries are decided by examiners each year21:00, 19 Aug 2026GCSE results day is tomorrow and thousands of students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will be heading to school to collect their results. In England, GCSEs are graded using a numerical system from 9 to 1, previously an A-to-U letter system was used.‌Exams are graded differently in Wales and Northern Ireland, who still use a letter system. Students in Scotland take Nationals instead of GCSEs. The grade changes started with English language, English literature and maths in 2017, followed by more subjects last year.‌By 2020, all GCSEs were graded from 9-1. The government said the new grading system is a better way to differentiate between students of different abilities. Grades 9, 8 and