When things don't go to plan
Don't panic if you didn’t get the grades you need for your planned next steps. No matter your results, you still have options. We have listed below some frequently asked questions about not achieving the exam results you had hoped for.
If you think your grades are correct, but you didn’t get the ones you need for your next steps, don’t panic. There are always options and other paths you can take.
First up, discuss your options with the teachers at your school. You can then contact the sixth form or college you want to go to, or the training provider/employer if you're moving on to an apprenticeship. Speak to their admissions department about your grades and ask them what your options are. They may still accept you with lower grades or advise you on other choices, such as resitting some subjects alongside your other studies.
If you’re not accepted – again, don’t panic. Another college, sixth form or training provider may accept you onto your chosen course with the grades you have, or you could consider taking an alternative qualification for your next step. You can search for courses offered locally on our courses and apprenticeships page and many places are still accepting applications. If you are planning to begin an apprenticeship, you can also search our Live Apprenticeship Vacancies page.
If you still want the chance to improve your grades, you may be able to take your exams again. Depending on your grade, you may be able to resit your English Language or Maths exam in the November following your results day, for other subjects and grades it’s best to speak to your school to see what your options are.
If you think something has gone wrong in the process of working out your grades, the first step is to speak to your school. It is important to consider that your marks and grades could be lowered, stay the same or increase, so you need to make sure you take appropriate advice before asking for an appeal.
You can appeal from when you get your results. You must appeal via your school to have the grade or grades checked, unless you are a private candidate (solely home-schooled). You can get more information on the process from your school or exam board. The Government website has this helpful guide: appealing your results
The place or employer you are applying to is best-placed to advise you on this, so make sure they’re aware of your concerns, plans and deadlines. Don’t shy away from communication – you’re more likely to find a solution by making them aware of your situation.
On GCSE results day careers staff and teachers at most schools will be on hand to help you with any questions you have. In addition most colleges and sixth forms will also be open to answer queries from students regarding the courses or training they have applied for. If you want to find out more and get help to explore your choices then visit our Careers Support page to find a service suitable for you. If you received your results this summer, live in the East Riding, and are concerned that you haven't got a place for education or training from September then you can contact the ERYC Post 16 team by emailing post16@eastriding.gov.uk. Hull residents can contact the Connexions service.
- Remember you are so much more than your grades. Yes, grades are important and there will have been expectations that you had for yourself or others had for you, but your emotional and mental wellbeing are so much more important. The people around you who love you just want you to be ok. Your self-worth and value are not related to what grades you get – it’s about who you are and you don’t have to ‘achieve’ anything to be loved and to be amazing.
- Know there are always options. We often have a rigid idea of how things ‘should be’ and what we want to happen. But life rarely happens how we think it will and we can’t control everything – the pandemic has shown us all that. The main thing that we can do is take control of the things that we do have control over. Focus on problem solving, information gathering, working out an alternative plan and a different approach if you need to. Ask someone to help you do this. The best things often come from the ‘best laid plans’ not working out, but it never feels like that at the time!
- Celebrate yourself – no matter what. If you got the grades you wanted then celebrate yourself, if you didn’t get the grades you wanted…celebrate yourself anyway!
Once you receive your exam results you might feel lost or overwhelmed. Take things step by step. Read our helpful How to make a decision., or our Don't know what to do? page.
