GCSE students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will receive their results today )Thursday 21 August).

In England, GCSEs are graded using a numerical system from 9 to 1. They were previously used an A-to-U letter system.

The number scale is not directly equivalent to the old letter one. However, the two scales do meet in certain places:

the bottom of grade 7 is aligned with the bottom of grade A

the bottom of grade 4 is aligned with the bottom of grade C

the bottom of grade 1 is aligned with the bottom of grade G

three number grades – 9, 8 and 7 – correspond to the two previous top grades of A* and A

That means that a 9 is a high A, an 8 is a low A or high A, and a 7 is a low A.

A 6 is a high B, a 5 is a low B or high C, and a 4 is a low C.

A 3 is a D or high E, a 2 is a low E or high F, and a 1 is a low F or G. And a U is still a U.

Pupils need a 4 for a “standard pass” and 5 for a “strong pass”.

While grades 1-3 technically count as a pass, many sixth forms insist on a minimum number of 5s or 6s as a condition of entry for further study.

The government’s school league tables , externalare based on the percentage of pupils who achieve a 5 or above in English and maths GCSEs.

If you get a grade 3 or below in maths or English language, you will have to resit next year.