Up grade call in GCSE tests

THE old GCSE “C” grade is no longer good enough to match the world’s best nations in English and Maths, researchers say.

The letter grades are being replaced by 1 to 9, with 9 being the highest.

But while 4 will be a standard pass, the Education Policy Institute said students need to aim for 5.

Boss David Laws, former Lib Dem schools minister, said: “Our analysis shows the gulf between England and the world’s best.

“The old ‘C’ grade is not an adequate aspiration.”