Is Grade8 the Same as an A* in GCSE? - Full Explanation

GCSE grade 8 is a numeric award introduced in 2017 that replaces the old letter‑based grades, part of the modern grading framework overseen by Ofqual. It sits at the top of the 9‑1 scale, just below the highest possible score, grade9.

When students and parents ask, “Is 8 an A* in GCSE?”, they’re really trying to map the new system onto the familiar A* grade that existed before 2017. The answer isn’t a simple yes or no - it depends on subject, exam board, and the specific grade boundaries set each year.

How the GCSE Grading System Changed

The GCSE numeric grading replaces the old A*‑C‑U scale with a nine‑point scale (9‑1). The shift was driven by Ofqual the regulator that ensures standards stay consistent across England. The idea was to give more granularity at the top end - instead of a single A*, you now have grades9,8, and7, which can better differentiate between high‑achieving students.

Each exam board - AQA, one of the three main GCSE awarding bodies, Edexcel, and OCR - publishes yearly grade boundaries the raw marks needed for each numeric grade. Those boundaries shift slightly based on difficulty, so a grade8 in one year might require a different raw score than a grade8 the next year.

Comparing Old Letter Grades to New Numbers

Notice that the A* slot now spans two numeric grades -8 and9. In most subjects, a 9 is clearly a step above an 8, but both are broadly in the A* range. Whether an 8 is “equivalent” to an A* really hinges on the specific subject’s boundary.

Subject‑Specific Realities

Let’s look at a few concrete examples from 2024‑25 results:

• Maths (AQA): Grade8 required 88% of the total marks, while grade9 needed 92%.
• English Literature (OCR): Grade8 started at 78%, with grade9 at 85%.
• Biology (Edexcel): Grade8 began at 80%, and grade9 at 87%.

In all three cases, the grade8 threshold sits comfortably inside what used to be an A* range, but it isn’t the absolute top end. For subjects where the 9‑grade boundary is relatively low (e.g., some technology courses), an 8 can feel more like a solid A.

Why the Distinction Matters

University admissions, scholarship applications, and certain apprenticeship routes still look at the old grading language. Admissions officers often translate a grade8 to an A* *or* A depending on the subject. For competitive courses (e.g., medicine, law), they may favour a grade9 to signal the very highest performance.

Additionally, UCAS points were updated in 2020, but many older systems still reference the pre‑2020 conversion. A grade8 now yields 48 points, whereas an A* used to give 56. That gap can be decisive for students on the margin of an offer.

How to Interpret Your Own Grade8

When you see a grade8 on your certificate, ask yourself these questions:

1. Which exam board issued the result? Different boards have slightly different boundaries.
2. What was the raw mark you achieved compared to the published boundary for a 9? If you were close, you’re effectively at the top of the A* band.
3. What does your chosen university or employer consider “top‑end” performance in that subject?

By answering these, you can decide whether to present the grade as an A* equivalent or simply call it a grade8 - both are truthful, but the former adds context for readers more familiar with the old system.

Related Concepts: UCAS Points, Tier‑Based Grading, and Future Changes

Understanding the grade8 ↔ A* link opens the door to several related ideas:

• UCAS points the university admission scoring system used in the UK - know how your grade translates into points.
• Tier‑based grading some subjects split grades into core and foundation tiers - affects the difficulty of reaching a grade8.
• Future grading reforms - Ofqual periodically reviews the system, so keep an eye on announcements.

These connections help you see the bigger picture: a grade isn’t just a letter or number, it’s part of a whole ecosystem that influences post‑16 pathways.

Practical Tips for Students and Parents

• Check the official grade‑boundary PDFs released by your exam board each year - they’re the definitive source.
• If you’re applying to competitive courses, aim for a grade9 where possible; a grade8 may still be strong enough but could put you on the edge.
• When listing results on applications, you can write “Grade8 (A* equivalent in [subject])” to clarify.
• Use the UCAS points calculator provided by the UCAS website to verify how your points stack up against offers.

Next Steps for Readers

If you’ve just discovered your grade8, the logical next moves are:

1. Locate your exam board’s grade‑boundary sheet for the exam session.
2. Compare your raw mark to the 9‑grade threshold - this tells you how close you are to the very top.
3. Translate the grade into UCAS points and add them to your university application plan.
4. If you need a higher grade for a specific course, consider resitting the exam or focusing on coursework improvement.

By following these steps, you’ll turn a simple question - “Is 8 an A*?” - into a clear action plan for your academic future.