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Old letters to 9-1, 9-1 back to letters, or BTEC to GCSE.
Tools & calculators
Convert old GCSE grades to the new 9-1 scale
Look up how old letter grades (A*-G) line up with the new 9-1 numeric grades, and see how BTEC First Award grades compare. Based on Ofqual anchor points and DfE guidance.
- Old letters to 9-1 and back, either direction
- BTEC First Award equivalence included
- Based on Ofqual anchor points
Why this matters
England moved to numeric 9-1 GCSE grades between 2017 and 2020. Grades 9, 8 and 7 all sit inside the old A* to A band, so a straight rename is misleading. Ofqual set two firm anchor points: grade 4 is the bottom of old grade C, and grade 7 is the bottom of old grade A. Everything else derives from those two anchors. This tool gives you the accepted equivalence table and lets you look up specific grades in either direction.
How to use this calculator
Three steps, no sign-up, no email needed.
Select your grade
Tap the grade you want to convert. The result updates instantly.
Read the full tables
The complete mapping tables are shown below the lookup so you can see the full picture.
Choose a direction, then pick a grade. The result updates as you tap.
Step 1Choose a lookup directionConvert between old letter grades, new 9-1 numeric grades, and BTEC equivalents.
Step 2Pick an old letter grade
?Select a grade above to see the equivalent
Source: Ofqual "GCSE 9 to 1 grades explained" (2017-2018) and DfE new-GCSE-grades guidance. Grade 4 is the "standard pass" and grade 5 is the "strong pass" used in school performance tables.
Full mapping table: old letters to new 9-1 gradesThe reformed GCSE 9-1 grading was introduced in England from 2017 (English and maths first, then rolled out to all subjects by 2020).
| Old letter grade | New numeric grade | What it represents |
|---|---|---|
| A* | 9 | The very top of the old A* is broadly equivalent to a grade 9. Grade 9 is deliberately more selective than the old A* and awarded to fewer students each year. |
| A* | 8 | The bottom of the old A* falls into grade 8. If you were mid-A* under the old system, grade 8 is the closest match. |
| A | 7 | Ofqual anchor point: the bottom of grade 7 lines up with the bottom of old grade A. If you would have got an A, you should get at least a 7. |
| B | 6 | The top of old grade B sits in grade 6 territory. |
| B | 5 | The bottom of grade B and the top of grade C is the "strong pass" grade 5 that the DfE defined for school performance tables. |
| C | 4 | Ofqual anchor point: the bottom of grade 4 lines up with the bottom of old grade C. Grade 4 is the "standard pass" used by most employers and colleges. |
| D | 3 | Old grade D and the top of old grade E map to grade 3. |
| E | 2 | Old grade E and grade F sit in the grade 2 band. |
| F | 1 | Old grade F and grade G map to grade 1. |
| G | 1 | Old grade G is still a pass in the new system as a grade 1. |
| U | U | Ungraded remains ungraded. No exam grade is awarded. |
BTEC to GCSE equivalenceBTEC First Awards (Level 2) grade to GCSE grade equivalence per Ofqual and DfE guidance.
| BTEC grade | GCSE equivalent | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Distinction* | Grades 8-9 | The very top BTEC First Award grade is broadly equivalent to the top two GCSE numeric grades. Used in school performance tables at this level. |
| Distinction | Grade 7 | BTEC Distinction sits at grade 7, in line with old grade A on the numeric scale. |
| Merit | Grades 5-6 | Merit maps into the strong pass and high grade B range on the reformed scale. |
| Pass | Grade 4 | BTEC Pass is broadly equivalent to a GCSE standard pass at grade 4. |
| Level 1 Pass | Grades 1-3 | The Level 1 BTEC pass shows achievement below GCSE grade 4 and maps to the grade 1 to 3 range. |
Frequently asked questions
What is the equivalent of a GCSE grade C in the new 9-1 system?
A GCSE grade C is broadly equivalent to a grade 4 or 5 in the reformed 9-1 system. Ofqual set grade 4 as the anchor point for the bottom of the old grade C. The DfE calls grade 4 a "standard pass" and grade 5 a "strong pass" for the purposes of school performance tables. Most employers and colleges accept grade 4 as the equivalent of the old grade C.
What is the equivalent of a GCSE grade A in the new 9-1 system?
A GCSE grade A is broadly equivalent to a grade 7 in the reformed 9-1 system. Ofqual set the bottom of grade 7 as the anchor point for the bottom of the old grade A, so anyone who would have achieved an A under the old system should achieve at least a 7 under the new one. Grades 8 and 9 sit inside the old A* band.
Is a grade 9 the same as an A*?
No. Grade 9 is deliberately more demanding than the old A*. It was introduced to differentiate the very highest performers and is awarded to a smaller proportion of students each year than the old A*. The old A* range now spans both grade 8 and grade 9.
How does a BTEC First Award grade compare to a GCSE?
BTEC First Awards are Level 2 qualifications, the same level as GCSEs. In performance-table terms, a BTEC Distinction* is broadly equivalent to GCSE grades 8-9, a Distinction to grade 7, a Merit to grades 5-6, and a Pass to grade 4. Sixth forms, colleges and employers may weight BTECs differently, so always check specific entry requirements.
Is grade 4 a pass or a fail?
Grade 4 is a pass. The DfE defines grade 4 as a "standard pass" and grade 5 as a "strong pass" in school performance tables. Grade 4 is the minimum grade most further-education colleges and apprenticeship providers require for GCSE English and maths.
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