Making big decisions about your future can feel overwhelming and you may be undecided about what you want to do next.  This is normal!

Remember that you are not on your own.  There are lots of support services and professionals available to help explore your new opportunities, whether you get the exact results you want or if you find yourself needing to create a new plan. 

• Results days for both GCSE and A-LEVELs -as well a associated similar-level qualifications are normally around mid-August.
• A-LEVEL results day is usually a week before GCSE results day

GCSE

When are GCSE results released?
GCSE results are usually out starting from 08:00 on a designated Thursday in August. If you're collecting them in person, make sure to confirm the exact time with your school.

Understanding GCSE Grades
In England, GCSEs are graded on a numerical scale from 9 to 1, which replaced the old A-E grading system. A grade 4 is recognised as a "standard pass," while a grade 5 is a "strong pass."

Grade Boundaries
Grade boundaries show the minimum number of marks needed to achieve each grade. These are determined by examiners and are made public on results day.

Sixth Forms, Colleges and Apprenticeships
Applications for 'further education' college and sixth form courses are normally made in September of the year before entry, so you'll usually apply as you start Year 11 at school. You'll get 'offers' based on their requirements - most likely a specified set of GCSE or other LEVEL 2 grades.   

Can I Appeal My GCSE Results?
If you think a grade is incorrect, your first step should be to talk to your school or college. They can reach out to the exam board to request a review of your marks. If, after the review, you still feel the grade is still wrong, you can ask your school or college to submit an appeal. Should you remain unsatisfied with the outcome, you can request a review from Ofqual.

Remember, exam results aren't the only indicator of success! If things don’t go as planned, there are many other ways to reach your goals.

What If I fail a GCSE?
If you don’t achieve standard pass or higher, you can resit the exam in the following academic year. Resits for mandatory subjects like Maths and English take place in early November. To explore your options, consult with your school about the best way forward

What Are my next steps, after my GCSEs?
You have to remain in official education or training until the age of 18, but you you can choose to continue with full-time education, start an apprenticeship, or study part-time while working.

• Many students choose to study A-levels, but the International Baccalaureate (IB) is also an option
• Additionally, there are various vocational courses available, such as National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs), BTec Level 3s, TechBacs, Cambridge Technicals, and T-levels
• Alternatively, you might consider an apprenticeship, where you’ll earn a salary and spend 80% of your time gaining practical experience in the workplace while being trained

A-LEVELS

When are A-LEVEL results released?
Results are usually out starting from 08:00 on a designated Thursday in August. You can usually collect your AS and A-level results in person from 08:00 although, some students may receive their results via email. It’s best to check with your school or college to confirm the specific arrangements for you.

Grades and grade Boundaries
A-level exams are graded on a scale from A* to E.

Grade boundaries indicate the minimum number of marks needed to achieve each grade. These boundaries are determined by examiners and are published on results day.

Universities and offers
Once you're 18, you're no longer required to remain in education.  You can now choose to enter the work place, or take up other studies including higher education options such as university.

Universities offer places based on qualifications, grades, or the UCAS tariff points system. Each A-level grade corresponds to a certain number of UCAS points; for example, an A* is worth 56 points, while a D is worth 24 points.

Usually you apply to universities while you are still completing your A-LEVELS.  Some courses have different deadlines, and many are a long time in advance of the start of the course. You'll need to research the courses and universities that interest you and make sure that you apply in time.

You can apply to universities after you have already got your A-LEVELS, of course.  This will mean you're likely taking a year or longer out between your studies.

What is Clearing?
UCAS, a charity, runs the university 'clearing' process that matches students with university and college courses that still have available spaces.  Clearing is normally open from July to October each year.

You can use clearing if you:

• Don’t achieve the grades required for your conditional offer
• Don’t receive any offers you want to accept
• Decide to apply for university after 30 June
• Achieve better grades than expected and want to change universities
• Clearing is currently open and will close on 21 October.

If your results weren't what you expected or are better, you may need to look at new routes and options to the training and learning you want.  Remember that grades are only one measure of success.  There are lots of ways to achieve your goals.

Can I Appeal My A-level Results?
If you believe your grade is incorrect, you should discuss it with your school or college. They can contact the exam board on your behalf to request a review of your marks. If you still feel your grade is unfair after the review, you can ask your school or college to file an appeal.

The exam board will then determine whether a correction is necessary. If you're still not satisfied with the outcome, you can request a review from the exams regulator, Ofqual.

What If I Don’t Get the A-level Grades I need?
If you narrowly miss the grades needed for a university or college course, the admissions office might still accept you or offer you a place on a different course, so get in touch with the organisation that made the offer asap to see what they say.

You can then consider clearing if necessary or consider a different learning path or enter the workplace. 

It’s also possible to resit some or all of your exams. If you’re interested in this option, speak to your school or college to explore this route. Resits normally take place in May or June the following year.

What are my next steps, after A-LEVEL?
This depends on what you want to do! 

If you decide to go on to university then you'll broadly follow the process above, but as you're 18, you now many options including:

• Taking a gap year or spend time volunteering
• undertaking an apprenticeship
• Getting a full or part-time job
• Undertaking a traineeship
• Starting your own business

For more details, visit our Options at 18 page.