Less than a third of businesses understand new GCSE grading system

Over a third of businesses do not know that the new numerical grading system for GCSEs in English and maths is being implemented next month.

According to a report by the CBI (Confederation of British Industry and Pearson), 35 per cent of businesses are “wholly unaware” of the exam reform and another 29 per cent say they are aware of the new 9-1 grading scale, which will be replacing A* - C, but they do not understand it.

In addition, eight per cent say they are aware of the new grading but do not realise that it is starting this year, and 28 per cent of employers surveyed said they understand the new grade system.

And among those businesses that believe they do have some knowledge of the system, nearly one in five (19 per cent) think that grade 1 is the top grade, rather than the lowest.

The report calls for urgent government action to raise levels of awareness and understanding among businesses about the system – which is being phased in over the next three years.