Education Minister Joy Burch confirmed the move to traditional grades on Sunday, connecting the year 10 certificate to nationally recognised standards as part of the implementation of the national curriculum.

Under the changes, school-based descriptions of achievements will no longer be used. The move follows the introduction of A-E gradings for all students from kindergarten to year 9 in 2013.

Students will receive an A grade if they are found to have demonstrated outstanding achievement of what is expected; B for high achievement and C for satisfactory achievement.

A grade of D will be awarded for partial achievement, while an E grade will represent limited achievement of what is expected

"Year 10 was excluded for the first year to avoid inconsistency between year 9 and year 10 results on the certificate," Ms Burch said.

"[It] will be the first year the ACT year 10 certificate includes standard reporting and Australian curriculum units, giving students and their parents and carers a better understanding of their performance."

Last week, Ms Burch said education ministers would consider the findings of a review into the national curriculum at a meeting in December.

The review by conservative education consultant Kevin Donnelly and academic Ken Wiltshire found the curriculum was "overcrowded" and did not devote enough time to basic numeracy and literacy.

Any overhaul would not be implemented until at least 2016, federal Education Minister Christopher Pyne said.

Current year 10 students in ACT schools will receive their certificates, including the new grades, in December.

Schools can report a "status" grade when unavoidable circumstances have prevented the awarding of an A-E grade, including in instances of illness or recent arrival.

The changes follow consultation between ACT Education and Training Directorate officials, the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn Catholic Education Office and the ACT Association of Independent Schools.

Successful completion of the year 10 certificate requires assessment of academic performance, school attendance and personal conduct. The certificate is awarded at the discretion of school principals and covers all academic study completed in years 9 and 10.

"The certificates will continue to list the semester-based grades for all areas studied in years 9 and 10, as well as vocational education and training qualifications to provide a full picture of each student's academic achievements," Ms Burch said.

"The year 10 certificates are the final reporting measure in high school and complement the ongoing reporting on each student's achievement throughout their education."

All schools in the territory are required to teach and assess student achievement in the national curriculum, which includes English, history, mathematics and science.

Assessment and grading are completed using nationally consistent reporting standards which describe the understanding and work requirements that students are typically able to achieve at each year level.