Higher and further education 
– Try not to get stressed out by putting too much pressure on yourself at this stage, but it can be a good idea to think about where you might want to be in two, five and even ten years time. If you do decide to go down the academic route, it depends on where you go and which field of study you want to go into.
- Most colleges like you to take a minimum of five GCSEs, including English Language and at grade 4 (C) or above, while sixth forms have slightly higher entry requirements, looking for at least six GCSE examination results achieving at least a grade 4 (C).
- As we mentioned before, though, the entry requirements vary between different institutes.
Some sixth forms and colleges, for example, Norfolk Sixth Form College, will take on students with as few as four GCSEs for Level 3 courses, while more prestigious places like Cardiff Sixth Form are harder to get into as you’ll be required to achieve at least six grade 9 (A*) GCSE qualifications.
It’s worth noting that you may not even need any GCSEs to do a Level 1 course at college. Sometimes just a good report from your school and a keen interest in the subject matter will do. Of course, you can always go into the world of work after higher education, but if you want to take your studies even further by studying for a degree or diploma, it’s highly likely that your chosen university will look at your GCSE grades as well as your A-Level (or equivalent) results.
Again, getting into a top place like Oxford and Cambridge will be much harder. Successful applicants to both universities generally have around eight grade 9 to 7 (A* to A) GCSEs. But having said all this, you should take into account the number of GCSEs you want to do and how much work you’ll need to put into doing them – it’s important to strike the right balance, otherwise you’ll wear yourself out.
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How many GCSEs are necessary?
How many GCSEs do you need to take? – The minimum number of subjects you are asked to take at GCSE is five, with most students choosing between nine and ten different subjects, You can choose to take more than the average amount, though this is down to you, your preferences and academic ability.
- Usually, your school will be able to help you determine how many subjects you should choose, which could be as many as twelve.
- This decision will be based on your academic ability, as well as the resources available at the school to support students who wish to take more than the average number of GCSE subjects.
This number includes three compulsory subjects (which we’ll touch on later): English, Mathematics, and the Sciences, as well as a number of other subjects that you have the option of selecting.
How many GCSEs do you need for Oxford?
1. Get good grades – Yes, your grades will need to really dazzle. GCSEs are seen as evidence of work ethic – and you need a really strong one of those to cope with studying at Oxford or Cambridge. Our guesstimate is that the average successful applicant has around eight 8/9 grade GCSEs under their belt.
Don’t have top GCSE grades? You might still have a chance – find out more with our helpful guide to the importance of your GCSE results,
And of course you need the A-level grades that Oxford and Cambridge require for the course you want to apply for – search for a course to see what these are exactly, as there can be some extra requirements or conditions. Our guide to the real story behind entry requirements sheds some light on what these are.
What is a 5 in GCSE?
Equivalent GCSE grades – The Government has said that grade 4 is a ‘standard pass’. Grade 5 is a ‘strong pass’ and equivalent to a high C and low B on the old grading system. Grade 4 remains the level that students must achieve without needing to resit English and Maths post-16.
Is GCSE year 10 or 11?
Including when you will choose your options, which years you cover the course in, and finally when you will sit your GCSE exams. Generally, students will take their GCSEs at the end of Year 11, following 2 years’ learning in Years 10 and 11.
Is 7 GCSEs good?
1. GCSEs can determine the sixth form you go to – Entry requirements for school and college sixth forms vary – ranging from four to five grade 5-4s, with 6-5s in the subjects you want to study, through to at least six GCSEs at 7 or above for the most selective colleges.
- Your GCSEs are used as an indicator of how well you could do at A-level.
- Many sixth forms use them in a scoring system to predict how well you’re likely to do on their course.
- For example, five grades at 5 or 6 and five grades of 4 or 5 at GCSE could be predicted as CCD at A-level, while straight 9-7 grades suggests you could get AAA.
If you’re worried your grades might not cut it with the sixth form or college you want to go to, see if they’re prepared to be flexible – otherwise, you may need to approach some alternatives. Learn more about what to do if your grades don’t go to plan,
Is 5 GCSEs enough?
Universities usually require applicants to have a minimum of five GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above, including English and Maths. However, the specific requirements may vary depending on the university and the course of study, and universities can offer alternative options if required.
Is 8 GCSEs enough for Oxford?
GCSEs – GCSEs will be taken in to account when we consider your application but they are just one aspect that we look at. GCSE results will be considered alongside your personal statement, academic reference, predicted grades and performance in any written work or written test required for your course.
- If you are shortlisted, your performance in interviews will also be taken into account.
- Higher grades at GCSE can help to make your application more competitive, and successful applicants typically have a high proportion of 7,8 and 9 grades.
- However, we do look at GCSE grades in context,
- If you feel that you did less well in your GCSEs than you might otherwise have done because of extenuating circumstances, you may still be able to make a competitive application.
Examples would include disruption caused by change of school or system, severe discontinuity of teachers, bereavement, and debilitating illness. We take care to treat each application individually and would always take such extenuating circumstances into account, if they are brought to our attention.
You may like to mention any such circumstances in your personal statement, and your referee should make sure to mention them clearly in their reference. If for any reason this is not possible, then we would advise you to contact the college you applied to (or are assigned to if making an open application) once they are likely to have received your application.
This is likely to be around the end of October. For those who were due to take GCSEs in 2020 and 2021, we will take into account the difficult circumstances in which these grades were issued when we assess your application. Please follow our advice about personal statements and academic references which we update for each year of entry.
Do you need all 9s for Oxbridge?
While there is no minimum requirement, a high proportion of successful applicants have grades of 7, 8 or 9. This is usually an indication of work ethic, and how hard you have worked up to that point and is usually looked at in context with other things.
Can you get into Oxford with 3 A’s?
Oxford makes its offers on the basis of specific grades rather than UCAS Tariff points. Meaning, three A*/A grades meet most conditional offers, whereas two A*s and two Bs do not.
Is a 6 good in GCSE?
6 = High B grade.
What grade is 80 percent in GCSE?
According to this illustration, grade 4 requires 56 – 66 per cent, grade 5 requires 67 – 77 per cent and grade 6 requires 78 – 88 per cent.
Are GCSEs harder than American SATs?
Are American SATs harder than GCSEs? – SAT subject tests are harder than GCSE tests because they’re used to get into American universities and colleges. However, many argue that the SATs are too easy because they’re only one hour long and made up of multiple-choice questions.
Do you get 2 GCSEs for science?
Double Science GCSE – Double Science GCSE is also known as ‘Combined Science’. All three Science subjects are studied: Biology, Chemistry and Physics. However, students receive two GCSEs, hence ‘Double’. The course covers two thirds of the Triple Award Science content.
Does Cambridge look at GCSEs?
There are no GCSE (or equivalent) requirements for entry to Cambridge. GCSE results are looked at as a performance indicator, but within the context of the performance of the school/college where they were achieved.
Is 8 an A * in GCSE?
The ‘new’ GCSE grades explained – Ahead of the 2017 GCSEs the Government changed the GCSE grading system from A* to G to a numerical system of 9 to 1 (9 being the top grade and 1 being the lowest). This system was introduced to bring in more differentiation at the top end of the grading scale, allowing sixth forms, colleges, universities and employers to better understand what level young people are working to.
- It was part of a complete overhaul of the GCSE system, which was carried out to bring England closer in line with the top performing education jurisdictions around the world.
- While grading is no harsher than under the previous system, the GCSE curriculum is now designed to have more content and some of the questions in exam papers are intended to be harder, to identify students on course to gain a grade 9.
As per the guide below, issued by the exams regulator Ofqual, the numerical system essentially boils down to the following:
9 = High A* grade 8 = Lower A* or high A 7 = Lower A grade 6 = High B grade 5 = Lower B or high C 4 = Lower C grade 3 = D or high E 2 = Lower E or high F 1 = Lower F or G U = U remains the same
The ‘old money’ letter equivalents of numerical GCSE grades (Photo: Ofqual)
How hard is it to get a 9 in GCSE?
Since the government grading system changed to the new numerical system running from 9 to 1 (from the older A* to G system), it is now much harder to get the highest grade. Getting a 9 in GCSE Maths is a higher grade than an A* was, as it is meant to differentiate the very top achieving pupils. 
In order to excel in Maths, you need to put the work in. The more you practice the better you’ll get. You’ll need to work hard at your Maths throughout your GCSE years in order to get a 9, putting in regular effort rather than leaving it all until exam time.
- Past papers are an excellent way to practice your Maths skills and to find out where your weaknesses lie.
- You can then use this knowledge to work extra hard at those areas that you are less confident in.
- If you’re aiming for a Grade 9 then you may need to look further afield for resources to help you excel in your ‘weak’ areas, as you’ll still be doing better in these areas than most pupils.
If your school doesn’t provide you with the means to stretch yourself adequately then consider using an online resource such as Blutick to practice and challenge yourself. Maths is a subject where the application of knowledge is as important as the knowledge itself.
Knowing the theory of Maths inside out is not going to help you get a Grade 9 if you don’t know how to apply it creatively in various different situations. This is why practice plays such an important role. While you may be very talented at Maths, you will also need to get the hang of demonstrating your skills in an exam situation.
Exams are obviously very stressful and so being confident going into them is as important as the knowledge and skills you’ve acquired. Again, doing a lot of practice papers will help with this, as at least the structure of the papers will be familiar to you.
- If you’re struggling with anxiety then it’s also important to talk to someone about this and get the help you need so that you’re at your very best during your exams.
- While getting a 9 in GCSE Maths is difficult, it is not an impossible achievement.
- Put in the practice and hard work now and you’ll have a very good chance of nailing it in your exams and getting the grade you’re after.
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Are GCSEs harder?
Students tend to find GCSE qualifications difficult, but why? For the GCSE exams around 9 subjects are studied, some take less, but there are students who take up to 12. The biggest challenge for students is to balance the workload they will face when taking their GCSEs.
What is an A in GCSE?
GCSE grading system (numbers to letters) – 
GCSE grading system The grading system now consists of numbers, rather than the typical lettering system. These new GCSE grades are from 9-1. With 9 Being the highest score and 1 the lowest (not including U for ungraded). A score of 9, 8, and 7 are equivalent to an A* and A.
Is a GCSE 7 an A?
The new GCSE grading system –
Grade 9, Grade 8 and Grade 7 are equivalent to the old Grades A* and A. Grade 6, Grade 5 and Grade 4 are equivalent to the old Grades B and C. To pass you need at least a Grade 4 or Grade 5. Grades 1 to 3 are like the old D to G. The U grade, meaning “ungraded”, remains the same.
A 9 is for a student who has performed exceptionally well – usually in the top 5% of the cohort. A Grade 7 has been matched to the bottom of the old Grade A and Grade 1 aligns with the bottom of the old Grade G. Grade 4 is a standard pass. Grade 5 is known as a strong pass.
9 = High A* 8 = Low A* or high A grade 7 = Low A grade 6 = High B grade 5 = Low B or high C grade 4 = Low C grade 3 = D or high E grade 2 = Low E or high F grade 1 = Low F or G grade U = U
What percentage is a 9 in GCSE?
Percentage of GCSE entries in England in 2022, by grade level
| Characteristic | Percentage of entries |
|---|---|
| 6 | 14.7% |
| 7 | 10.9% |
| 8 | 8.5% |
| 9 | 6.6% |
Does Triple Science count as 3 GCSEs?
Triple Science GCSE – Now we know about GCSE Double Award Science, let’s take a look at the Triple Award. In Triple Science students study for three separate GCSEs: Biology, Chemistry and Physics, Also known as ‘Single Sciences’ or ‘Separate Sciences’, students receive three GCSEs as they cover all three units of each Science.
How many GCSEs do you need for Cambridge?
There are no GCSE (or equivalent) requirements for entry to Cambridge. GCSE results are looked at as a performance indicator, but within the context of the performance of the school/college where they were achieved.
What is a 3 in GCSE?
3. Is a 3 a pass in GCSE? No, the GCSE grade 3 equivalent is in between the traditional grades D and E.
