Grades 4 and 5: what they meanGrades 4 and 5: what they mean

The 9 to 1 grades replaced the old A* to G letters. A result below grade 1 is unclassified (U). The Department for Education's factsheet for parents says a grade 4 or above marks a similar achievement to the old grade C or above (DfE factsheets, published 2019).

The numbers don't line up exactly with the old letters, so it's best to think in the new grades rather than translating back.

The Department for Education calls grade 4 a "standard pass" in every subject (DfE factsheets). In English and maths, it's also the level that decides what happens next: students who don't reach grade 4 carry on studying the subject after 16.

The Department for Education calls grade 5 and above in English or maths a "strong pass" (DfE factsheets). It's the measure used in school performance tables, which show the share of students reaching grade 5 or above in English and maths.

It isn't a separate requirement placed on each student. Some sixth forms and colleges do ask for a 5 or above for certain courses, though, so it's worth checking.

Young people in England must stay in some form of education or training until 18, which can include an apprenticeship or part-time study alongside work. Under the Department for Education's funding rules, a student who hasn't reached grade 4 in GCSE Maths keeps studying maths as part of their course after 16 (DfE condition of funding):

• a student with grade 3 studies towards the GCSE again
• a student with grade 2 or below studies towards either the GCSE or a Functional Skills level 2 qualification

So a grade 4 in maths means your teenager won't need, under these funding rules, to keep studying GCSE Maths after Year 11, unless their course includes maths anyway.

Colleges, sixth forms, apprenticeships and employers set their own entry requirements. The DfE factsheet says that where they used to ask for a grade C, the nearest equivalent is grade 4 (DfE factsheets). Many courses ask for grade 4 or 5 in maths, and some, such as A level Maths, ask for more. Always check the course page itself.

Both grades are available on both tiers. Foundation tier awards grades 5 to 1, and Higher tier awards grades 9 to 4, with a grade 3 safety net (Ofqual student guide). Ofqual's tier-entry guidance (2020) recommends that students expected to get a 4 or 5 should usually be entered for Foundation (Ofqual blog).

For practice on NextJen, the same applies. Not sure which tier? Their maths teacher will know which tier they're likely to sit. As a rough guide: Foundation if they're working towards grades 1 to 5, Higher if they're aiming for grade 6 or above. You can switch tiers at any time.

It often makes sense to start with topics that are nearly secure. NextJen's practice works in GCSE grades 1 to 9, so you and your teenager can see an estimated grade for the level they're working at. Each NextJen practice paper shows the mark and an estimated grade, always labelled as an estimate, and the parent view shows an estimated grade for the level your teenager is working at.

You can try a question to see how the typed answers and worked steps feel, or see what's included in GCSE Maths. GCSE Maths on NextJen is £25 a month per student (£20 a month for founding families), paid monthly. You can cancel at any time and keep access to the end of the month you've paid for.