IGCSE Grading System 2025 – Marks, Grades & Evaluation Criteria

IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) qualifications are assessed using two different grading scales: a numerical scale from 1 to 9 and an alphabetical scale from G to A*. In the numerical system, a grade of 1 represents the lowest level of achievement, while 9 indicates the highest. In the alphabetical system, G is the lowest grade, and A* is the highest. The designation "U," meaning "Ungraded," is used in both systems to indicate that the candidate's performance did not reach the minimum threshold required for a graded IGCSE result.

This Story also Contains

1. IGCSE Grading System Explained
2. IGCSE Grade to Percentage Conversion Table
3. University Admissions and IGCSE Grading: A-G vs. 9-1*

As a general principle, a candidate's grade is directly related to the number of marks obtained in the IGCSE examination. These grades correlate to percentage ranges, from 90-100% for A* down to 20-29% for G and 0-19% for U. In certain regions, notably the UK, the 9-1 scale is also employed, offering finer distinctions, particularly at higher achievement levels, where 9 signifies the top grade and 1 the lowest.

IGCSE Grading System Explained

The A*-G grading system for IGCSE qualifications maintains a substantial global presence, being utilised in over 150 countries and within more than 6,000 schools worldwide. Cambridge Assessment International Education awards over one million A*-G grades annually. Notably, while England has largely transitioned to the 9-1 grading scale, students in Wales and Northern Ireland continue to receive A*-G GCSE grades, illustrating a mixed grading landscape across the United Kingdom.

Recognising that grade boundaries fluctuate annually is important, reflecting exam difficulty and overall student performance. Additionally, students receive percentage uniform marks, providing a comparative measure of their performance. Furthermore, IGCSE subjects often offer Core and Extended curriculum options; Core caters to students of average ability, grading from C to G, while Extended targets more capable students, grading from A* to E.

Also, read:

• Cambridge IGCSE Curriculum

• Cambridge Advanced Curriculum

• Cambridge admit card 2025

• Cambridge Time Table 2025

IGCSE Grade to Percentage Conversion Table

IGCSE students get Percentage Uniform Marks to show how they performed compared to others in their grade (top, middle, or bottom). See the table below for the mark ranges per grade.

IGCSE Grade to Percentage Conversion Table

University Admissions and IGCSE Grading: A-G vs. 9-1*

Will students applying to university with A*-G IGCSE grades be treated differently to students with 9-1 grades? The answer is no.

Universities have stated that they will treat both grading systems equally. While some UK universities traditionally require a C grade in GCSE Maths and English, the transition to the 9-1 system has introduced some variation.

Some universities will recognise the new grade 5 as equivalent to the traditional C, while others will accept grade 4 as fulfilling the requirement. Therefore, students should consult the specific entry requirements of their chosen universities to clarify which 9-1 grade they accept as an equivalent to the traditional C.