Understanding Your GCSE Results: What to Do If You Didn't Get the Results You Hoped For

The new grades are outlined as follows:

Grade 9: Exceptional performance, which surpasses the previous A* grade.

Grade 8: Comparable to the former A* grade.

Grade 7: Corresponds to the former A grade.

Grade 6: Equivalent to the former B grade.

Grade 5: Considered a strong pass and bridges the former B and C grades

Grade 4: Comparable to the former C grade and is considered a strong pass.

Grades 3, 2 and 1: Equivalent to the previous D, E and F grades.

It is important to note that this new grading system is not directly equivalent to the old one but aims to better distinguish between students’ abilities and achievements. With this new structure designed to be more challenging, consequently, fewer students are likely to achieve the highest grades, however it enables top universities and employers to differentiate the top students from just the ‘very good’ ones. Also, it helps to show employers if a student has taken a new or old type of GCSE.

Besides it being able to distinguish those at the top, this system undoubtedly identifies those at the middle boundary also. An example would be a level 5, which is between a B and C grade. With letters on paper, it is hard to pinpoint the exact level of the student, when in reality, for example, they could have been a few marks off a B. Especially in situations like this, the new number setup proves useful. If you did not achieve your desired grades, don’t worry, there are plenty of options available to you! A copy of your exam paper can be provided by your school, though be mindful that there is a deadline, so it is a good idea to ask your teachers regarding this. Examiners are human too and can accidentally miss potential marks in your answers, so it may be worth requesting a review of marking by your school, depending on the exam board or your personal situation. Although there is the possibility of gaining a higher grade, in some cases, being close to a grade boundary means you could also be at risk of dropping down a grade, so evaluating a remark of your paper is crucial.

Re-sitting an exam is another alternative and should not be regarded as a setback, rather an opportunity to improve and rebuild on one’s knowledge. Learning the content is one thing, but the preparation in itself is a whole other matter! This entails effective planning, time management and consistency. Ask your parents to help you come up with an action plan, tackle these points one at a time, do not overwhelm yourself and try to take on so much in one go. Often, anxiety is a key factor that can cause one’s underperformance, so recreating exam conditions and practicing exam papers continuously early on will help you overcome this hurdle. It is normal to feel stressed! However by managing the levels of stress we give ourselves, it’ll be easier to gain a positive outlook to the situation and allow us more breathing space.

It is worth noting that some colleges or sixth forms also permit you to re-take a GCSE (English or Maths) while doing your A-levels (or other vocational qualifications you may be taking), as most colleges and sixth forms require at least a 4, a standard pass, in both of these subjects, (others require a 6, a grade B, for more competitive courses you wish to apply for.) Discuss these possibilities with your parents, teachers and other professionals, they will provide you with the support you need, you are not alone! If you know the course you wish to pursue, you may find it helpful to work backwards, using this as a guide. Check the entry requirements of the university or college’ course you are planning to apply for, you may not even need to retake that subject. It will positively save you a lot of time and relieve you from any added stress. Having a list of options written down for you before results day would be beneficial, as these can sometimes be overlooked or forgotten.