Having mixed emotions about exam results day? Don’t worry, we are here to help! Check out our guide to exam results day for some friendly tips and advice to guide you through getting results and what comes next.
Some simple steps to follow:
Seek advice!
Talk to your school or college careers adviser before making any decisions.
Explore college and sixth form courses
Check their websites for available courses.
Get in touch
Reach out directly to sixth forms and colleges, even if you did not get the results you wanted. They may still help and offer alternative courses.
Interested in Apprenticeships
Create an account at the national Apprenticeships website and start applying.
Confused? Talk to your careers adviser
If you are unsure about your future, discuss your options with your school/college careers adviser. That is what they are there for!
Tips for GCSE Results Day:
Be prepared
When you contact colleges, sixth forms and apprenticeships, have your GCSE results to hand and understand your grades, since they may want to know about these.
Enrolling at a college or sixth form:
If you’re applying to college or sixth form, contact them directly to find out what their enrolment process is.
Apprenticeships:
If you have an apprenticeship offer dependent on your GCSE results, don’t forget to share your results with the apprenticeship provider. If necessary, call them to ask how to do it.
Didn't get the results?
If you don’t get the grades you hoped for, DON’T PANIC! Speak to your college, sixth form or apprenticeship provider. They may still be able to offer the course you wanted, or they may offer you a different course that still meets your needs.
Maths and English resits:
If you didn’t pass Maths or English with a Grade 4 or above, you must resit them. Colleges, sixth forms and apprenticeships require you to study these subjects for the duration of your course, until you pass. You might resit GCSE’s or an alternative qualification.
Results Day can be exciting, terrifying and joyful. But if you’re one of the people who haven’t got the results you need to move into your next steps, please remember: there is no problem that is insurmountable. There are always other ways to get to where you want to go. It might take a little bit longer. You might need to go somewhere else, but there will be a way to get there. Just ask for some help.
Sam,
Careers Adviser
If you need support, our local teams are here for you!
If you’re aged 16-18 (up to 24 if you have an Education, Health and Care Plan) and live in Liverpool City Region or Manchester and would like careers advice, want to discuss your options, or just need guidance after getting your results, get in touch with us.
Visit our Careers Advice for Young People page, where you’ll find information about how we can support you and the different ways to contact your local Career Connect team.
Please note: who is eligible for support can vary between local authority districts, so check your eligibility on your local team’s page. Find your local team HERE.
Not sure of your plans, or considering alternatives?
Research Apprenticeships
You can find vacancies on the National Government Apprenticeships website and explore thousands of opportunities.
Check out colleges and sixth forms websites:
Find courses that interest you, jot down contact details, and contact them. They may ask for your GCSE results, so have these ready.
Know the difference between qualifications:
The Student Room at the Uni Guide website has a section explaining the various qualification types and how they can relate to each other. Just remember that A Levels are exam-based and academic, while BTECs and T levels are vocational and include written assignments.
“Parents and carers – encourage open and honest conversations between you and your child. Online resources such as BBC Bitesize and Talking Futures can help you do this.
Laura,
Careers Adviser
Remember… Don't panic!
If your GCSE results are not what you hoped for, do not worry! It is not the end of the world. There are always other paths to achieve your goals, and there are people ready to offer help and advice. Just reach out to them! Stay positive and keep moving forward.
You have got this! 😊
Some useful links:
Whether you’re waiting for A Levels, T Levels or GCSEs results, here are useful links to help you when making decisions about your future…
National Government Apprenticeships website
Find vacancies on the National Apprenticeships website.
The Student Room
A short guide to understanding different types of qualification, what they are and how they relate to one another
The National Careers Service
The National Careers Service provides careers information, advice and guidance to help you make decisions at all stages in your career.
UCAS website
The UCAS website has a section to help 16-year-olds considering their future options
UCAS Apprenticeships
You can also search for apprenticeships on the UCAS website
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icould features guides, articles and videos covering career profiles, choosing options, university choices, exams and finding and applying for jobs.
BBC Bitesize – Careers
Whether deciding what to study, planning your future career or just curious about the world of work, BBC Bitesize’s careers section will help you, with advice from experts and from young people who’ve found a path that suits them.
Talking Futures
An online resource offering advice and guidance for parents to start those conversations about careers with your child.
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