The numerical grading scheme was launched as a part of a 2014 curriculum overhaul by then-education secretary, Michael Gove.
It put much less emphasis on GCSE coursework than earlier than, with grades in nearly all topics determined in remaining exams.
The {qualifications} had been designed to be tougher, with exams taken after two years of examine. Previously pupils lined the syllabus by way of a collection of modules with common assessments all through the course.
At the time of the adjustments, the federal government argued that, exterior the brand new scale “recognises extra clearly the achievements of high-attaining college students, as the extra grades permit for higher differentiation”.
It additionally stated that the transfer from letters to numbers would make it clear – for instance to an employer – “whether or not a pupil has taken a brand new, tougher GCSE, or an outdated reformed GCSE”.