IGCSE Grades Explained: A*–G, 9–1 and How They Compare
Tutoriz Education Team ·
The Short Answer
IGCSE grades are reported on one of two scales, depending on the exam board and the subject:
- A to G* (with U for ungraded). Cambridge IGCSE uses this scale for most subjects.
- 9 to 1. Pearson Edexcel International GCSE uses this scale for most subjects, and Cambridge offers some IGCSE syllabuses with 9–1 grading.
Always check the grading scale printed on your child's own syllabus, because it can differ by board and by subject.
IGCSE Grade Scales Compared
| Scale | Top grade | Typical pass mark | Used by |
|---|---|---|---|
| A*–G | A* | C is widely treated as the standard pass | Cambridge IGCSE (most subjects) |
| 9–1 | 9 | 4 is widely treated as the standard pass | Edexcel International GCSE, some Cambridge syllabuses |
If you want to see how the 9–1 numbers map onto the old letters, our guide to GCSE grades 9–1 explained has the conversion table.
Core and Extended Tiers Change the Maximum Grade
Many IGCSE subjects offer two tiers, and the tier your child enters decides the highest grade they can earn:
- Core papers are aimed at students targeting the middle grades, and the top grade available is C on the A*–G scale.
- Extended papers cover more content and give access to the full range up to A*.
This matters when a school enters a student for Core by default. A student who could reach a B or A will be capped if they sit Core, so ask the school which tier is planned and why.
How Do IGCSE Grades Compare With GCSE?
IGCSE and the UK GCSE are designed to be comparable qualifications for the same age group, and UK sixth forms and universities accept both. As a rough guide:
| IGCSE (A*–G) | Roughly equivalent GCSE (9–1) |
|---|---|
| A* | 8–9 |
| A | 7 |
| B | 5–6 |
| C | 4 |
| D–G | 1–3 |
This is an approximate guide, not an official conversion. The syllabuses and exams are different, so grade-for-grade comparisons are not exact.
Is There a Fixed Percentage for Each Grade?
No. Grade boundaries are set after each exam series based on how students performed, so the raw mark needed for a grade changes by subject, paper and year. Treat any "A* = 90%" figure as a guide, and practise to a comfortable margin above the boundary instead of aiming for the exact cut-off.
How Do IGCSE Grades Compare With US Grades?
There is no official conversion between IGCSE grades and US letter grades or GPA. US universities read IGCSE results in the context of the whole transcript and the school's profile. In general, A* and A grades signal very strong performance, and most US-bound students then add the IB Diploma, A-Levels or AP courses at 16–18. For the post-16 options, see our guide to IGCSE vs IB and AP vs IB for US college applications.
Which IGCSE Grades Do You Need Next?
- A-Levels: most sixth forms ask for around five passes at grade C or 4 or above, with higher grades in the subjects a student wants to continue. Competitive schools often ask for more.
- IB Diploma: schools set their own entry requirements, usually based on IGCSE results in the subjects the student wants to take at Higher Level.
- Maths and English: these two are usually the most important, as many courses and employers ask for a pass in both.
Common Questions
What is a pass at IGCSE?
For the A*–G scale, C is widely treated as the standard pass. For the 9–1 scale, grade 4 is widely treated as the standard pass. Entry requirements for sixth forms and universities are set by each institution.
Is IGCSE harder than GCSE?
They are designed to be comparable. IGCSE is assessed mostly by final exams and is written for an international audience, while GCSEs are written for the UK curriculum. Difficulty depends on the subject, the board and the student.
What is the highest grade at IGCSE?
On the A*–G scale the highest grade is A*, and on the 9–1 scale it is 9. Students entered for a Core tier paper are capped at grade C.
What is an IGCSE grade 9?
Grade 9 is the highest grade on the 9–1 scale and is awarded to the very top performers on boards and subjects that use that scale.
Do IGCSE grades matter for university?
Universities mainly base offers on post-16 results such as A-Levels or the IB Diploma. IGCSE grades still matter for sixth form entry and appear in applications, especially for maths and English.
Can I convert IGCSE grades to a percentage?
Not reliably. Boundaries change each series, so there is no fixed percentage for a grade.
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About the Author
Tutoriz Education Team
The Tutoriz Education Team includes tutors and curriculum specialists with classroom and examiner experience across IB, IGCSE, GCSE, A-Level, SAT and AP. Every guide is reviewed against official exam-board documentation before publishing.