How Are IGCSEs Graded? 9-1 vs A*-G Explained

IGCSEs are graded on two different scales depending on the exam board. Cambridge International (CAIE) uses the traditional A* to G scale. Pearson Edexcel International GCSE uses the 9 to 1 scale (the same scale used for UK national GCSEs since 2017). Both are valid, both are internationally recognised, and they are not directly equivalent on a one-to-one basis.

This guide explains exactly how each scale works, how they compare, what counts as a pass, and how to read your child's IGCSE report properly. For the wider context, start with our pillar guide on what IGCSE is. For board-specific tutoring, see Cambridge IGCSE or Edexcel IGCSE.

Cambridge IGCSE: A*-G

Cambridge International IGCSEs (CAIE) use the A*-G grade scale. From highest to lowest:

• A* — outstanding
• A — excellent
• B — very good
• C — standard pass
• D
• E
• F
• G — minimum award
• U — ungraded (below G)

For Cambridge IGCSE, most universities and sixth forms treat C and above as a "good pass." Many subjects, particularly Mathematics, also separate into Core and Extended tiers — Core covers grades C to G, Extended covers grades A* to E. A student sitting Core cannot earn an A* or A; the higher grades are only available on the Extended paper.

Edexcel International GCSE: 9-1

Pearson Edexcel International GCSE uses the 9 to 1 scale, where 9 is highest and 1 is lowest. There is no 0 — below grade 1 is ungraded (U).

• 9 — exceptional
• 8
• 7
• 6
• 5 — strong pass
• 4 — standard pass
• 3
• 2
• 1
• U — ungraded

In Edexcel IGCSE, grade 4 is treated as a standard pass and grade 5 as a strong pass. Most UK universities and sixth forms set entry requirements at grade 5 (for example, "grade 5 in English and Maths") rather than the older grade 4 floor.

Like Cambridge, Edexcel offers tiered papers in some subjects — Foundation (grades 5-1) and Higher (grades 9-3). The top grades 9, 8 and 7 are only available on the Higher tier.

How the Two Scales Compare

Ofqual and the boards have published official equivalences for UK national GCSEs (which use 9-1) and the older A*-G scale, and those equivalences also help parents reading IGCSE reports across the two boards. The honest mapping:

• Grade 9 corresponds to the very top of A* — only the strongest A* candidates would have earned a 9.
• Grade 8 sits inside the A* range.
• Grade 7 sits near the boundary between A* and A — broadly an A.
• Grade 6 is a high B.
• Grade 5 is a low B / high C — a "strong pass."
• Grade 4 is a standard pass, equivalent to the old C.
• Grade 3 is broadly a D.
• Grade 2 is broadly an E.
• Grade 1 is broadly an F to G.

The mapping is approximate, not exact — it reflects historical boundary data, not a formal one-to-one conversion. The IGCSE 9-1 scale also spreads out the top end: where Cambridge has only A* at the top, Edexcel separates very strong candidates into 7, 8 and 9. This is one of the genuine differences between the two boards and is covered in our is Cambridge or Edexcel IGCSE harder guide.

What Counts as a Strong IGCSE Record?

For sixth-form (A-Level) and IB Diploma entry at competitive schools, students typically need:

• Eight or more IGCSEs at grade 6 / B or above, including English and Maths.
• Strong grades (8-9 / A*-A) in subjects the student wants to continue at A-Level or HL — especially Maths and Sciences for STEM students.

For competitive university applications (Russell Group in the UK, Ivy League in the US, top Canadian and Australian institutions) admissions tutors look beyond the standard pass: they want to see a profile loaded with 7-9s (A and A*) and especially in the academic subjects. We cover the implications in our IGCSE subjects for medicine guide and best IGCSE subject combinations.

How IGCSE Grade Boundaries Are Set

Both Cambridge and Edexcel publish grade boundaries after each exam session. Boundaries are not fixed in advance — they are set retrospectively based on the difficulty of that particular paper and the overall performance of the cohort. This is why a 90% raw score might be an A* one year and an A the next; the absolute number of marks for each grade can move.

The principle is "comparable outcomes": the proportion of candidates achieving each top grade is broadly stable year to year. So if a paper is harder, the boundary falls. If it is easier, the boundary rises. This means past-paper raw scores are useful as a benchmark, but parents should look at the grade rather than the percentage when judging progress.

For wider IGCSE context: what IGCSE is, Cambridge vs Edexcel and which board is harder. Subject planning: subject combinations, how many to take. Tutoring: Cambridge IGCSE, Edexcel IGCSE.

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