Guidance

Mathematics: grade descriptors for GCSEs graded 9 to 1

Updated 6 September 2017

Applies to England

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/grade-descriptors-for-gcses-graded-9-to-1/grade-descriptors-for-gcses-graded-9-to-1-mathematics

1. Grade 8

To achieve grade 8, candidates will be able to:

  • perform procedures accurately
  • interpret and communicate complex information accurately
  • make deductions and inferences and draw conclusions
  • construct substantial chains of reasoning, including convincing arguments and formal proofs
  • generate efficient strategies to solve complex mathematical and non-mathematical problems by translating them into a series of mathematical processes
  • make and use connections, which may not be immediately obvious, between different parts of mathematics
  • interpret results in the context of the given problem
  • critically evaluate methods, arguments, results and the assumptions made

2. Grade 5

To achieve grade 5, candidates will be able to:

  • perform routine single- and multi-step procedures effectively by recalling, applying and interpreting notation, terminology, facts, definitions and formulae
  • interpret and communicate information effectively
  • make deductions, inferences and draw conclusions
  • construct chains of reasoning, including arguments
  • generate strategies to solve mathematical and non-mathematical problems by translating them into mathematical processes, realising connections between different parts of mathematics
  • interpret results in the context of the given problem
  • evaluate methods and results

3. Grade 2

To achieve grade 2, candidates will be able to:

  • recall and use notation, terminology, facts and definitions; perform routine procedures, including some multi-step procedures
  • interpret and communicate basic information; make deductions and use reasoning to obtain results
  • solve problems by translating simple mathematical and non-mathematical problems into mathematical processes
  • provide basic evaluation of methods or results
  • interpret results in the context of the given problem
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