What Percentage of Students Get a 9 at GCSE Maths?

If you're aiming for the top grade in GCSE Maths, you're probably wondering just what percentage of students get a 9 at GCSE Maths. The short answer? Only a small proportion manage it each year, but with the right approach, it can be achievable.

That said, the numbers don’t tell the whole story. Understanding what a Grade 9 really represents - both in terms of performance compared to your peers and the level of mastery examiners are looking for - can give you a clearer picture of the challenge ahead. 

Read on to dive into some real statistics, while exploring what it takes to join this exclusive group of high achievers.

Key Takeaways

• 3.2% of students (opens in a new tab) achieved a Grade 9 in GCSE Maths in 2025 (England only).

• Grade 9 is designed to reflect the top performers nationally.

• Boundaries vary by year and exam board.

• Getting a 9 usually requires 85–92% of the marks (opens in a new tab), depending on paper difficulty.

• You must be entered for the Higher Tier to achieve a Grade 9

What Is a Grade 9 in GCSE Maths?

Grade 9 is the highest possible grade in the current GCSE system. It replaced the old A* grade when GCSEs switched from the A*-G scale to the 9-1 system.

The Grade 9 was specifically designed to stretch the most able students, and it’s meant to be harder to achieve than the old A* grade, giving top performers a chance to really shine. Try to think of it as the "exceptional" grade. A Grade 9 shows universities and employers that you're not just good at maths, but genuinely excellent.

How Many Students Get a Grade 9 in GCSE Maths?

Based on the latest (opens in a new tab)national data for 2025 (opens in a new tab), here's what the numbers show:

2025 GCSE Maths Results (England only):

• 3.2% of students achieved Grade 9

Comparison with previous years (England only):

Grade 9 achievement rates have remained fairly stable over recent years. The pandemic years caused a slight grade inflation, but the percentages have levelled off since then.

What Mark or Percentage Do You Need to Get a 9 in GCSE Maths?

This is where it can get a bit tricky – there's no fixed percentage that guarantees a Grade 9. Grade boundaries change every year based on how difficult the exam papers are.

Typical Grade 9 boundaries:

• Usually around 85-92% of total marks for Higher Tier papers

• Can be as low as 80% in a particularly difficult year

• Can be as high as 95% in an easier year

Remember: You must be entered for the Higher Tier to achieve a Grade 9. Foundation Tier papers only go up to Grade 5, so there's no way to get a 9 on Foundation.

The exam boards (AQA, Edexcel, OCR) set these boundaries after all students have sat the exams. They look at how the whole cohort performed and adjust accordingly. Check out the Save My Exams grade boundaries resource, where you can dive into the Grade 9 boundaries for GCSE Maths for different exam boards and years.

Why Is Grade 9 So Rare?

Unlike what you might expect, GCSE grades aren't just about raw marks. The Grade 9 is what's called a "norm-referenced" grade. This means that roughly the same percentage of students get a Grade 9 each year, regardless of how well everyone does. It's designed to identify the top performers compared to everyone else sitting the exam that year.

The grade works on a combination of:

• Absolute standards: You need to demonstrate excellent mathematical skills.

• Relative performance: You need to be among the top performers compared to other students.

Back in the old system, about 4-6% of students got an A* (opens in a new tab), give or take the odd outlier year. The new Grade 9 was meant to be even more exclusive, and this has been proven in practice. The percentages of students hitting Grade 9 have settled at just over 3%. 

This stability means that achieving a Grade 9 puts you in an elite group of students attaining the highest grade - this is a serious achievement.

How to Maximise Your Chances of Getting a 9 in GCSE Maths

Getting a Grade 9 isn't just about being naturally brilliant at maths. Instead, it’s about hard work, grasping and applying key concepts, and having a structured revision timetable:

Master the Tricky Topics: Use a mix of blocked practice and the chunking revision technique to focus extra time on the areas that separate Grade 8s from Grade 9s:

• Algebra and algebraic proof

• Complex problem-solving questions

• Geometry and trigonometry proofs

• Statistical analysis and probability

• Functions and graphs

Perfect Your Exam Technique

• Time management is crucial – practice completing papers in the time limit.

• Show all your working – you can get method marks even if your final answer is wrong.

• Read questions carefully – many Grade 9 students lose marks through silly mistakes.

• Check your answers – especially basic calculations. You don’t want to be letting marks slip away because you haven’t checked your work.

Use High-Quality Resources

• Use Save My Exams GCSE Maths revision notes, flashcards, and past papers to maximise your chances of exam success.

• Study examiner reports to understand common mistakes.

• Use mark schemes to understand exactly what examiners want.

Track Your Progress

• Regularly test yourself under exam conditions.

• Keep a record of which topics need more work.

• Set realistic targets for improvement.

• Don't just practice – analyse your mistakes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you get a 9 on the Foundation Tier?

No, you can’t. Foundation Tier papers only go up to Grade 5. If you want any chance of achieving a Grade 9, you must be entered for Higher Tier.

If you're not sure which tier you should take, speak to your teacher. Generally, if you're consistently getting Grade 6 or above in your mock exams, Higher Tier is worth considering.

Do you need a 9 in Maths to study it at A Level?

No, you don’t. Most colleges and sixth forms require at least a Grade 6 for A Level Maths, with many preferring Grade 7 or above. 

What matters more is that you have a solid understanding of all the GCSE topics, as A Level Maths builds directly on this foundation.

Final Thoughts

Now you know what percentage of students achieve a Grade 9 in GCSE Maths, it's clear to see that reaching this grade is far from easy! The key is consistent effort, smart revision, and plenty of practice. Focus on mastering those challenging topics, perfect your exam technique, and don't be afraid to push yourself.

Achieving a Grade 9 in GCSE Maths is a brilliant accomplishment that puts you among the top performers in the country. But remember, even if you don't quite reach Grade 9, any grade from 7 upwards opens doors to A Level Maths and shows real mathematical strength. The most important thing is to aim high and give it your best shot.

References

National Percentage Figures For GCSE Grades (opens in a new tab)

GCSE Maths Grade Boundaries (opens in a new tab)