How are GCSE results calculated? Grading system explained

STUDENTS all over the UK today find out their GCSE grades.

No exams have been able to take place amid the coronavirus crisis, so pupils' fates rest on their previous work and teacher's assessments.

How are GCSEs being graded without exams?

Hopeful students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will get grades from either their teacher's estimation or a moderated grade – whichever is higher.

Initially teens would have only been given a moderated GCSE grade worked out by an algorithm, after exams were cancelled amid the coronavirus pandemic.

This uses datasets of results of students in the same subject at the same school for the past three years, prior attainment data on students at the same school in the past three years and prop attainment data on this year's students.

But after this caused uproar and heartache for A-Level pupils, this has now been scrapped.

Btec grades were not included in the original U-turn, but on Wednesday they were pulled with just hours to go until results day.

How did schools work out students’ predicted grades?

Results will be based on teachers' predictions and statistical modelling.

Teachers were asked to give a grade they thought each pupil would have got had they sat the exams.

This is based on coursework, the result of mock exams, and homework. Schools were also requested to rank pupils in each subject.

It follows the government's U-turn decision to ditch A-level and GCSE grades generated by computers after thousands of A-Level results were downgraded last week.

What about home-schooled students?

Many homeschooled or private students have no CAGs (Centre Assesment Grades) as their exam centres do not have enough evidence of their academic level.

It means many have been left with no grade at all, while some taking resits say they have been given the same grades they achieved last year.

What happens if students are not happy with their results?

Students unhappy with their results can appeal their grades.

Simply ask the school for a review or ask the school to appeal to Ofqual on your behalf.

Even then, if a qualification result was reviewed and you are still unhappy with the decision, you can appeal to Ofqual.

Again, ask the exams officer, headteacher or principal at your school or college to make an appeal – but make sure to appeal within 15 days of getting the result of a review.

Can students re-sit exams?

Students in England not happy with their grades can take GCSE exams in November.

This is to give the option for students to improve the grade they receive, or for those who are unable to receive a calculated grade this summer.

How do the numerical grades work?

Traditional A*-G grades have been scrapped and replaced with a 9-1 system amid reforms, with 9 the highest result. A 4 is broadly equivalent to a C grade, and a 7 broadly equivalent to an A.

In 2017 the grading system was overhauled so that instead of using letters as had been the tradition, students would receive a number 1-9.

This year in 2020 will be the first time that all students receive their grades with the new system after a few years of phasing it in.

Students receiving GCSE results this summer will get numerical grades for all their subjects as all courses have now moved over to the new grading system.

The number system came into place in an attempt to make GCSEs tougher.

It's believed that it will help students appear more attractive to potential employers as higher grades now have more distinction than the old system.

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