Kent GCSE pupils pick up their results 2017
00:01, 24 August 2017
Pupils across Kent will be putting an end to the anxious wait as they pick up their GCSE exam results today.
There could be confusion though as a raft of changes have been made to the way results are worked out and what exams ask of learners.
One of those changes is the move from traditional letter grading to the new numbered structure.
It means that instead of going from U to A* they will now be graded between 1 and 9 with U still meaning unclassified.
There are wider concerns that bosses could overlook CVs from pupils with the new GCSE grading during job interviews.
Those who last year got a C or above in last year's exams would this year get a 4 or above.
The new grading scale has more grades at the higher end to recognise the highest achievers.
The Department of Education says grade 4 is a "standard pass" and the minimum level to pass English and maths.
The government has revised GCSE qualifications to make them more demanding which makes sure school leavers go on better prepared for work or further study.
The changes to the way marks are awarded start this year with English, English literature and maths. That will then be gradually phased further into other courses until 2020.
School standards minister Nick Gibb said: "This summer, pupils have taken exams in the new and reformed GCSEs in English and maths.
"This is the culmination of a six-ear process of curriculum and qualifications reform, which has involved wide consultation with teachers, schools and universities.
"The new GCSEs are more rigorous so that young people can gain the knowledge and understanding they need to succeed in the future and compete in an increasingly global workplace.
"Pupils collecting their maths and English GCSE results in August will see them graded from 9 to 1, rather than A*-G.
"A new grading system was needed to distinguish between the old and the new reformed GCSEs. The new grading system also provides stretch for the highest performers by showing greater distinction between the top marks."
"Pupils collecting their maths and English GCSE results in August will see them graded from 9 to 1, rather than A*-G" - School standards minister Nick Gibb
To help you out and let you know what happens after you open the envelope, Glen Scott will be on The Hit List on kmfm today and tomorrow with a special GCSE Surgery.
From 7pm until 10pm tune in to find out what your options might be after you have picked up your results and hear what comes next.
Students will be on the show to share their experience with listeners along with an official from Canterbury College who will be able to answer questions.
To get in touch click @kmfmofficial on Twitter or use the hashtag #GCSESurgery
Click here to listen and for more information about the show.
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