GCSE stands for General Certification of Secondary Education, and it is a qualification that is taken by most students in the UK when they reach the end of mandatory education. The GCSE grading system changed in 2017, implementing numbered grades instead of letters. Under the current UK grading system, a grade 4 is considered a standard pass, which is the equivalent of the traditional C grade, while a grade 5 is a strong pass, which is equivalent to a high C and low B on the old grading system. Most higher education establishments and employers will accept a standard pass, but some courses and sixth forms may require a minimum number of 5s or 6s as a condition of entry for further study.

In summary, a pass in GCSE refers to achieving a grade 4 or above, which is equivalent to a standard pass, while a grade 5 or above is considered a strong pass.