combined science GCSE grade 4:3 - what does it mean?

[AGirlHasNoCake]

In a nutshell,

DfD got this grade for combined science.

Has she passed?
Has she got one or two GCSEs?

If I understand it, the grade 4 (4-4 or 4-3) has further split the grade 4 into a higher and lower, meaning theres more grades now. Is the lower 4 still a pass ? I googled and it said it was a broad safety net which means bugger all.

so answers for the above please in simple terms that I can understand.

[titchy]

It's the equivalent of D in the old double science GCSE.

[Rosieposy4]

An interesting question. A pass is a 4 4, combined science being equivalent to 2 GCSEs, so no she hasn’t passed her science.
However, would it be unreasonable to count the 4 as a single pass, eg for the purposes of going to college or sixth form, then it appears that most people would not think so ( i think it’s an ok thing to do, otherwise why bother with the 4 3 grade.

[MillicentMartha]

It’s just below a level 4 pass. A bit like a double 3 and a half. The safety net was for higher tier students who should have been given a U if they got lower than 4:4 but were allowed to be awarded a 4:3 this year.

It probably won’t count as a level 4 and a level 3, but some colleges may accept it as such. It’s worth asking.

[titchy]

The 4 isn't on its own though - it's just the way of recording the grade. A 4-3 is actually two lots of 3.5, not one grade 4 paper and one grade 3 paper. It's the mark less than the basic Level 2 pass of 4-4, but better than 3-3.