What Are ‘Good’ IGCSE Grades?

You've worked hard all year, and now you're wondering: what is a good IGCSE grade? This depends on your goals and future plans. 

A grade that's perfect for one student won't be enough for another. Your definition of ‘good’ depends on whether you're aiming to pass your courses, get into sixth form or college, apply to a competitive course at 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.

Key Takeaways

• The IGCSE grading scale runs from 9 to 1 (or A* to G depending on your exam board and where you sit your exams), with 9 and A* being the highest grades achievable.

• A grade 4/C or above is the standard pass threshold. A grade 6/B and above is widely considered a strong result.

• There is no single definition of a "good" IGCSE grade - it depends on your next steps, whether that's sixth form, university, or a specific career path.

• English Language and Maths are the most important subjects - almost every pathway requires at least a grade 4/C in both.

How are IGCSEs Graded?

Grades for IGCSEs are given using either the traditional A*-G scale or the newer 9-1 scale. Both scales are equally recognised by sixth forms, colleges, universities and employers.

A*-G Scale (used by Cambridge (CIE (opens in a new tab))):

• A*: Outstanding

• A: Excellent

• B: Good

• C: Pass

• D-G: Fail

9-1 Scale (used by Cambridge (CIE), Oxford AQA (opens in a new tab) and Pearson Edexcel (opens in a new tab)):

• 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 the two grading systems? Check out our IGCSE grade comparison table in this guide.

What Is Considered a Good IGCSE Grade?

“Good" will depend on your goals and future plans. But here's a general overview to help you benchmark where your grades sit:

What IGCSE Grades Do You Need for Sixth Form or College?

Most sixth forms and colleges have clear entry requirements and they're usually more achievable than students think.

For most sixth forms and colleges, you'll usually need:

• At least 4-5 IGCSEs at grade 4/C or above

• A grade 4/C or above in English Language and Maths

• Specific subject grades for the A Level or BTEC courses you want to study (for example, a grade 6/B in Biology to study A Level Biology)

This is a general guide only. Every sixth form and college has its own entry requirements, so be sure to check, so you know what a ‘good’ grade for you might look like.

Sixth forms aren't necessarily looking for the perfect student. What they want to know is whether you have the right building blocks to handle your work in Years 12 and 13.

What IGCSE Grades Do You Need for UK University Applications?

For most UK universities, your A Level results matter far more than your IGCSE grades. When making offers, universities focus almost entirely on your predicted and achieved A Level performance.

However, there are important IGCSE minimums to be aware of:

• English Language: Most UK universities require a minimum grade 4/C (or equivalent) in English Language IGCSE or GCSE.

• Maths: Many science, engineering, economics, and business degree programmes require at least a grade 5-6/C–B in Maths. 

  • For example, the University of Manchester requires at least a grade 6 or B in Maths for its Mechanical Engineering course. (opens in a new tab)

Once you've met these baseline requirements, most UK universities will focus entirely on your A Level predictions and results.

What IGCSE Grades Do You Need for Top Universities?

If you're applying to highly competitive universities - like Oxford, Cambridge, or Ivy League schools in the United States - your IGCSE results become more important.

These universities receive thousands of applications from students with top A Level predictions. Strong IGCSE grades help demonstrate consistent academic achievement and can set your application apart.

Oxford and Cambridge don't publish a fixed IGCSE grade requirement, but in practice, many successful applicants have strong results across their IGCSE subjects (opens in a new tab). However, they assess all students individually by looking at the context of the school you studied at. 

US Ivy League universities consider IGCSE results as part of a holistic admissions process, and many students hold 7-9s (A/A*s) across a range of subjects. 

On top of this, many Ivy League institutions, like Harvard, require students to take a standardised test (ACT or SAT) (opens in a new tab) to assess critical reasoning, literacy, maths, and readiness for higher level study.

Is a Grade 6 or B a Good IGCSE Grade?

Yes, a grade 6 or B is a goos result.

It demonstrates solid subject understanding and puts you in a good position for most A Level courses and sixth form applications.

For the majority of UK universities, a grade 6 is well above the minimum threshold for English and Maths requirements. It's only at the very most competitive institutions that grades of 6 might not be sufficient.

How to Improve Your IGCSE Grades

Whether you're aiming for a grade 5 or a grade 9, the approach is the same: targeted, consistent revision.

Here's what works:

• Practise with past papers. Past papers are one of the most effective tools you can use. Explore Save My Exams' IGCSE past papers for your subject and exam board.

• Knowing the content isn't enough - you need to answer questions the way examiners expect. Our teacher-written topic questions help you nail your exam technique.

• Revise exactly what you need to know. Our IGCSE revision notes break every topic down clearly, so you can revise smarter, not harder.

• Target your weak spots. Don't just revise what you already know. Focus time on the areas where you're losing marks with our ready-made flashcards.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a grade 5 a good IGCSE grade?

Yes, a grade 5 is an above-average pass, sitting comfortably above the standard pass threshold of grade 4. It's generally acceptable for most sixth form programmes. However, if you're aiming for highly selective schools or competitive A Level subjects, you may need a grade 6 or higher.

Do IGCSE grades matter for UK university applications?

For most UK universities, A Level results are far more important than IGCSEs. However, you'll usually need to demonstrate at least a grade 4/C in English Language and Maths. 

For Oxford, Cambridge, and other highly selective institutions, strong IGCSE results across multiple subjects can meaningfully strengthen your application.

Can I improve my IGCSE grades after results day?

In some cases, yes. You can request a clerical check, a review of marking, or in some instances, a full re-mark of your paper. 

Some students also choose to resit specific IGCSE papers in a later exam series. Speak to your school or exam centre about the options, deadlines, and any associated fees as soon as possible after results day.

Hit Your IGCSE Target Grades with Save My Exams

A "good" IGCSE grade is one that takes you closer to your goals and only you can define what that means.

If you're aiming for most sixth forms, grades of 4 to 6 are perfectly respectable. If Oxford, Cambridge, or an Ivy League university is the plan, you'll want to push for 8s and 9s.

Every grade improvement matters, and with the right revision strategy, there's always room to do better.

Ready to boost your IGCSE grades? Explore Save My Exams' bank of IGCSE revision resources, including past papers, revision notes, flashcards, and topic-by-topic exam questions for your subject and exam board. Good luck.

References

Cambridge CIE - IGCSE (opens in a new tab)

Oxford AQA (opens in a new tab)

Pearson - International GCSEs (opens in a new tab)

Queen Mary University of London - Entry Requirements (opens in a new tab)

University of Manchester - BEng Mechanical Engineering Entry Requirements (opens in a new tab)

University of Cambridge - Alumni Toolkit Fact Checker (opens in a new tab)

Harvard College - International Applicants (opens in a new tab)