STUDENTS in South Worcestershire will be receiving mostly numbers instead of letters for their GCSE grades today.

Exams in the new GCSEs graded 9 to 1 were introduced for GCSE English language, English literature and maths in summer 2017, and the rest of the new GCSEs are being introduced over the following three years to 2020.

9 is the highest grade, and will be awarded to fewer students than the old A*.

The new grading scale has more grades above a grade 4 than above the old grade C, to provide greater differentiation for higher achieving students.

Between 2017 and 2020, some exam certificates will have a combination of number (9 to 1) and letter (A* to G) grades as students sit a mix of new and old GCSEs.

By 2020, GCSE certificates will contain only number (9 to 1) grades.

Letter grades (A* to G) awarded for old (unreformed) GCSEs will remain valid for future employment or study.

The old and new GCSE grading scales do not directly compare but there are three points where they match.

The bottom of grade 7 is aligned with the bottom of grade A, the bottom of grade 4 is aligned with the bottom of grade C and the bottom of grade 1 is aligned with the bottom of grade G.

In conjunction with the other regulators, Ofqual, the qualifications regulator in England, has produced guidance which helps explain the differences and similarities between GCSE qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

A grade 4 or above marks a similar achievement to the old grade C or above, the standard for a level 2 qualification.

If you have previously set grade C as your entry requirement, it would be reasonable to ask for a grade 4 under the new system, unless you have made a deliberate decision to raise the entry bar.

The Department for Education recognises grade 4 and above as a ‘standard pass’ in all subjects.

They describe it as a “credible achievement for a young person that should be valued as a passport to future study and employment.”

Students who do not hold a grade 4 or above in English and maths must continue to study these subjects as part of their post-16 education.

However, this requirement does not apply to other subjects.

The Department for Education recognises a grade 5 and above in English or maths as a ‘strong pass.’

The government says this is a benchmark comparable with other ‘high performing education systems.’

Last year, one in five (20 per cent) UK GCSE entries scored at least an A - or a 7 under the new system, while two thirds (66.3 per cent) scored at least C - equivalent to a 4 under the new system.

Advice for exam results day: Be available to collect them or make alternative arrangements, don’t panic and a bring a charged mobile phone to call your schools and colleges