What Are ‘Good’ IGCSE Grades?

If you're studying for your IGCSEs, you've probably wondered: “What actually counts as a good grade?”. The honest answer is that it completely depends on your goals and future plans. 

 A grade that's perfect for one student might not be enough for another. Your definition of ‘good’ may depend on whether you're aiming to pass your courses, get into sixth form or college, apply to university or pursue a particular career.

This guide breaks down exactly what IGCSE grades are considered strong, what different schools and colleges expect, and how to set realistic goals based on your future plans.

Understanding IGCSE Grades

Grades for IGCSEs are given using either the traditional A*-G scale or the newer 9-1 scale. You don’t need to worry about which scale your grades are in as both are recognised by sixth forms, colleges, universities and employers.

A*-G Scale (used by Cambridge (CIE)):

• A*: Outstanding

• A: Excellent

• B: Good

• C: Pass

• D-G: Fail

9-1 Scale (used by Cambridge (CIE), Oxford AQA and Pearson Edexcel):

• Grade 9: Outstanding performance

• Grade 8: Very strong performance

• Grade 7: Strong performance

• Grade 6: Good performance

• Grade 5: Strong pass

• Grade 4: Standard pass

• Grades 1-3: Fail

Want to compare grades? Check out our IGCSE grade comparison table in this guide.

What Is Considered a 'Good' IGCSE Grade?

As we said before, ‘good’ will depend on your goals and future plans. 

Here is a general overview of what grades you may need to achieve certain goals.

What IGCSE Grades Do Sixth Forms and Colleges Look For?

 Most sixth forms and colleges have clear entry requirements, and they're usually more flexible than you might think. 

 The best place to find information about their entry requirements is on their website or by contacting their admissions department directly.

Typical Entry Requirements

Most schools require a minimum of 4 GCSEs at Grade 4 or C or above. For IGCSE students, this typically means:

• At least 4 subjects at Grade 4 or C or higher

• Minimum of Grade 4 or C in English and Maths

• Some subjects require Grade 5 or B or above

For More Competitive Institutions: 

Top sixth forms have higher grade requirements. Their requirements may require something like:

• Grade 6 or B or above in 5+ subjects

• Minimum of Grade 5 or B in English and Maths

• Grade 6 or B or above in your chosen A Level subjects

 Sixth forms and colleges aren’t necessarily looking for a genius or perfect student. Instead, they want to know if you have the right building blocks for you to be a strong student and handle your work in Years 12 and 13.

What IGCSE Grades Do Universities Care About?

Which grades are ‘good’ for university applications depends totally on which universities you are applying for. 

UK Universities

For most UK universities, your IGCSEs matter slightly less than your A Levels. But there are some minimum grades you may need to apply for any UK university.

What They Care About:

• Minimum Grade 4 or C in English - this is non-negotiable

• Minimum Grade 4 or C in Maths for most courses

• Some courses and universities need Grade 5 or B in English and Maths

 Once you've met the basic English and Maths requirements, most UK universities focus entirely on your A Level predictions and results.

Top Global Universities

If you're dreaming of Oxford, Cambridge, or Ivy League schools, your IGCSEs suddenly become much more important.

What Top Universities Expect:

• Mostly Grade 8-9 or A*-A across all subjects

• No grades below 6 or B in core subjects

• Particularly strong performance in subjects related to your intended degree

US and Canadian Universities

Some look at IGCSE performance as part of your overall academic profile. Straight As or grades 8-9 definitely help your application stand out. 

How to Set Realistic Grade Goals

Setting the right goals is crucial for staying motivated without putting unnecessary pressure on yourself.

Step 1: Know Your Next Step

Are you planning to:

• Move to A Levels at your current school?

• Apply to a competitive sixth form?

• Go to college for vocational courses?

• Apply to international universities? 

Step 2: Work Backwards

Once you know where you're headed, you can work out what grades you actually need.

Example Goal-Setting:

Aiming for College Entry: Focus on getting Grade 4 or C or above in 5 subjects, with strong passes in English and Maths.

Competitive A Level Options: Target Grade 6 or B or above in your chosen A Level subjects, plus Grade 5 or B in English and Maths.

Scholarship Applications: Aim for mostly Grade 7-9 or A*-A with no grades below 6 or B.

Step 3: Be Honest About Your Starting Point

If you're currently getting grade 5s, aiming for straight 9s might not be realistic. But improving to grade 6s and 7s? Achievable with the right effort and support. 

Need tips and notes for revision? Check out our IGCSE revision resources.

FAQs

What is a passing grade at IGCSE?

Grade 4 or C is considered the standard pass. This means you've demonstrated sufficient understanding of the subject.

What IGCSE grades are needed to take A Levels?

This varies by school and subject, but typically:

• Grade 6 or B in the subject you want to study at A Level

• Grade 4 or C in English and Maths

• Some schools require Grade 5 or B in English and Maths

Check with your specific sixth form or college, as requirements can differ significantly.

Is 6 a good grade at IGCSE level?

Yes, Grade 6 or B is definitely a good grade. It shows strong understanding and puts you in a solid position for most A Level courses and sixth form applications.

Do IGCSE grades affect university entry?

For UK universities, IGCSEs mainly matter for meeting minimum English and Maths requirements. Your A Level results are more important. However, for top UK universities, like Oxford and Cambridge, and many international universities, strong IGCSE results can strengthen your application.

Final Thoughts

The bottom line: A ‘good’ IGCSE grade is one that opens the doors you want to walk through.

If your goal is to study A Levels at your local sixth form, 5s and 6s are perfectly good. If you're aiming for Oxford or Harvard, you'll probably need mostly 8s and 9s.

The most important thing is to focus on progress, not perfection. Every grade improvement matters, and there's always time to push yourself further.

Remember:

• Strong grades in core subjects (English, Maths) are crucial

• Your chosen A Level subjects deserve extra attention

• Improvement over time is often more impressive than natural ability

• There are multiple paths to success, regardless of your grades

Don't let anyone else define what's ‘good enough’ for you. Set goals that match your ambitions, work consistently towards them, and celebrate your progress along the way.