Common GCSE and iGCSE Myths, Debunked

GCSE and iGCSE generate a surprising number of persistent myths — about grading, exam boards, and how the two systems compare. Most come from outdated information or a misunderstanding of how the system actually works. Here are ten of the most common, sorted from fact.

Myth 1: "Grade 9 is exactly the same as the old A*"

Reality: They're similar in spirit — both sit at the very top of the scale — but not a precise match. When the 9-1 system replaced A*-G, grade 9 was deliberately calibrated to be slightly harder to achieve than the old A*, specifically so the very strongest students could be distinguished more finely. A rough comparison:

Treat this as a rough guide rather than an exact mapping — see our full explainer on GCSE grading and the 9-1 system for the detail.

Myth 2: "Some exam boards are easier than others"

Reality: This one circulates a lot among parents and students comparing notes, but grades from AQA, Edexcel, OCR and WJEC are all treated as equivalent by universities, colleges and employers — a grade 7 is a grade 7 regardless of board. Schools choose which board to use for reasons like specification content, resources and past performance data, not because one board hands out easier grades. See GCSE exam boards explained.

Myth 3: "iGCSE is easier than GCSE"

Reality: A persistent myth with no solid basis. The two are generally considered broadly comparable in standard, and specific subject specifications vary in content and structure both within GCSE (between boards) and within iGCSE — not systematically between the two overall.

Myth 4: "Universities don't recognise iGCSE"

Reality: UK universities generally do recognise iGCSE, and it's widely used by international schools specifically because it's well understood by UK higher education. See is iGCSE recognised by UK universities for the fuller picture.

Myth 5: "Triple Science is always better than Combined Science"

Reality: It depends entirely on the student and their plans. Triple Science suits a student aiming for A-level sciences, but Combined Science is a genuinely solid, well-regarded route for students without that specific direction — it isn't a lesser option, just a different-shaped one.

Myth 6: "A low mock result means a low final grade"

Reality: A mock is a snapshot at one point in time, not a prediction locked in stone. Students regularly improve significantly between a mock and the real exam, especially when the mock is used constructively — as a guide to what to revise, not as a verdict. See our mock exams guide.

Myth 7: "Predicted grades are basically guaranteed"

Reality: They're a professional estimate based on evidence available at the time, not a promise. Results regularly land above or below the prediction — see predicted grades explained.

Myth 8: "You have to resit if you get anything less than a grade 9"

Reality: Resits are commonly required specifically for English and maths if a student doesn't reach grade 4, under government policy — not for every subject below the top grade. See GCSE resits explained.

Myth 9: "More GCSEs is always better"

Reality: Depth and strong grades in the subjects that matter for a student's next steps generally count for more than simply maximising the total number taken. See how many GCSEs should my child take.

Myth 10: "Coursework doesn't matter anymore"

Reality: While final exams carry most of the weight in most GCSE subjects today, coursework and controlled assessment still play a meaningful role in several subjects — it's a myth that everything is now purely exam-based. See GCSE coursework and controlled assessment explained.

Why these myths persist

Many of these misconceptions trace back to the pre-2017 GCSE system (A*-G grading, different coursework weightings) or to informal comparisons between families whose children took different subjects, boards, or qualifications. The most reliable fix is simple but easy to skip under pressure: check the specific, current information for your child's actual subjects, board and school, rather than relying on what was true a decade ago or what applied to a different child's experience.

FAQ

Is a grade 9 the same as an old A*?

Roughly similar in spirit — both represent the very top of the scale — but they aren't a precise one-to-one match. Grade 9 was deliberately designed to be slightly harder to achieve than the old A*, so that the very highest performers could be distinguished more finely at the top of the scale.

Does it matter which exam board a school uses?

Not in any way that disadvantages a student in the eyes of universities or employers — a grade 7 from one board is treated as equivalent to a grade 7 from another. Schools choose exam boards for reasons like specification content and resources, not to give their students an edge.

Is iGCSE easier than GCSE?

This is a persistent myth without solid basis — the two are generally considered broadly comparable in standard, and neither is reliably "easier". Specific subject specifications differ in content and structure between boards, but that's true within GCSE and within iGCSE too, not a systematic gap between the two.