Thousands of teenagers across the country are collecting their GCSE results this morning after sitting exams earlier in the summer. For the first time, many will be accessing their results online, though most students are still expected to go to their schools to find out their grades.
Online Access and School Collection
The Education Record app has been rolled out following a successful trial in Manchester in 2025. Results will be handed out by schools from 8am before they are updated online at 11am. The Department of Education has encouraged students to go in person to collect their results so that they are able to speak to teachers and staff about what to do next if their results are not as good as they had hoped.
Those heading to school to collect their results are advised to bring photo ID, a charged phone, water and a pen and paper. Having a trusted adult there for support could also help ease the nerves. If you cannot attend school in person, check with your school beforehand to find out what arrangements are in place. If you are on holiday, you may not necessarily need to rush home to find out your grades.
Grade Boundaries and Grading System
GCSE grade boundaries will be confirmed today by exam boards including AQA, Pearson Edexcel, OCR, CCEA and WJEC. The grade boundaries, which have followed a numerical 9 to 1 system since 2017, are not fixed from one year to the next as exam boards set these once marking is almost complete.
In England, GCSEs are graded from 9 to 1. The highest grade of 9 is above the old A* as a 'super grade'. A U means a qualification is 'ungraded' and is the lowest possible result. Grade 4 is considered a standard pass and the equivalent to a low grade C on the former letter-based system. Grade 5 or above is considered a 'strong pass'. Students who receive a grade 3 or below in GCSE maths or English language will generally have to continue studying the subject. The grading system is different elsewhere in the UK. Wales continues to use grades from A to G*, while Northern Ireland also uses letter grades, including the C* grade introduced in 2019.
What to Expect on Results Day
August 20 is the big day for pupils to find out how they performed in their exams. Most students will collect their results from school, although arrangements can vary between schools and colleges. For the first time, pupils can also access their grades through the Education Record app, following a trial involving 95,000 students in Manchester and the West Midlands last summer. The app gives students a digital record of their results, which can be used when applying for further education or jobs.
