After first changing in 2017, many parents and students were left confused by the new way of grading GCSE exams, and some will want to know how they compare with the old system ahead of tomorrow's results day. The traditional ABC system was replaced by the 1-9 grading scheme to keep pace with the demands of universities and employers, according to the UK government.
The first reformed GCSEs were only introduced in English literature, language and maths, before a further 20 subjects were added in 2018. By 2020, all GCSEs were graded using numbers instead of letters, with this being the first year they have been applied by examiners following two consecutive years of teacher-assessed marks.
The updated grade scale has more higher grades than before, allowing sixth forms, colleges, universities and employers to better recognise the achievements of higher-performing students. They were introduced as part of a 2014 curriculum reform by then-Education Secretary Michael Gove
