Results day can be super stressful, but don’t worry, even if you don’t get the grades you were expecting, there are plenty of great options out there. Here is our guide to GCSE results day 2024.
When is GCSE results day?
GCSE results day is on Thursday 22nd August 2024, schools will be open from 8am for students to collect their results.
How do I get my GCSE results?
Students can go and collect their results from their school on results day.
Can I get my GCSE results emailed to me? Upon request schools can send results to pupils in the post or by email, so make sure to get in touch with your school if you would prefer this option, or if you can’t make it in person.
What are the grade boundaries for GCSEs in 2024?
Grade boundaries can be a little confusing to understand at first, a boundary is the minimum mark you need to obtain a grade. Simply put – the highest grade is 9, while the lowest is 1. See graph below:
The 9 -1 grading system was brought in by the government in 2017, alongside an overhaul of the curriculum, with the rollout completing in 2020. The reason for this change was to put less emphasis on coursework, with grades in almost every subject being decided in the final exams. Whereas previously students covered the syllabus through a series of modules with regular assessments throughout the course.
What should I do if I’m disappointed?
If you don’t get the results you hoped for, don’t panic, here’s what to do if you fail your GCSEs. First of all, speak to your teachers, who will be on hand to support you and help you decide on what the best option is.
Bad GCSE results aren’t the end of the world! If you were hoping to go to college or sixth form, contact them directly to discuss your grades with them. You don’t need GCSEs to get into college, and they may still accept you with lower grades or advise you on other options. Some colleges offer entry-level courses which have been designed specifically for students who don’t have the traditional qualifications, or may need some additional support. Many colleges offer vocational qualifications, such as BTECs or NVQs, which focus primarily on practical skills. These courses often have different entry requirements compared to academic qualifications, meaning you don’t need GCSEs to enrol onto a vocational course.
Will I need to resit?
If you’re not happy with your results, you can consider resitting your exams. The cost of resitting depends on the grade you obtained, the subject you want to retake and the type of school you attend.
It’s important to note that students who receive a grade lower than a 4 in English or Maths will be required to retake the exam.
Can I appeal a result?
If you strongly believe that a mistake has been made with the marking of an exam, it’s possible to submit an appeal to see the exam paper and have it checked by a different examiner. There are two key dates for GCSE grade appeals:
- The deadline to request a priority copy of the marked paper
- The deadline to request a marking review
You’ll need to check what these deadlines are with the relevant exam board which can be found online. For example, this year AQA’s review deadlines are the 22nd of August and 26th of September.
What happens next?
If you’re under 18 you must remain in official education or training, but luckily there are loads of exciting options out there to choose from.
Traditionally, many students will choose to go on to study A Levels at college or sixth form. You may wonder what the difference between college and sixth form is. Essentially, sixth form only offers A-levels while colleges tend to offer alternatives like vocational courses and apprenticeships. Sixth form is great if you plan on completing your A-levels and moving on to University. Colleges have a broader focus and cater to both academic and vocational pathways, and can open the door to different opportunities.
If you plan on going to study at college or sixth form, check out how to make your application stand out.
What is Access Creative College?
Access Creative College is the UK’s largest national independent training provider with 30 years of experience in educating generations of creatives. We offer full time vocational courses from Levels 2 – 4 in music, media, games, esports and computing. With extensive work-related projects and exciting work experience opportunities available to all students, we pride ourselves in offering our students the best of the best.
What is a vocational qualification? They are a blend of practical, hands-on learning and theoretical knowledge designed to equip students with the specific skills and knowledge needed for a particular job/industry. Employers value these qualifications for their practical skills and workplace knowledge.. So, by choosing a vocational pathway, you’re not only gaining a qualification, but also a competitive edge in the job market. Check out our full course list here.
We also offer a unique T Level in Software Development. This is a 2 year course with a 45 day work placement. T Levels are a great option as they offer a mixture of classroom learning and ‘on the job experience’ through an industry placement.
Last but not least, Access Industry offers exciting apprenticeships in a range of subjects within music & events, digital and marketing. When you sign up to an apprenticeship, you are employed by an organisation and learn both ‘on the job’ within the workplace, and via our online learning platform with support from industry specialists – and you earn a salary as you would with regular employment.
And that’s everything! GCSE results day is an exciting time for many as it is the first step of the next move. Remember, if you don’t get the grades you wanted, there are still so many options out there.
Also, Access Creative College are hosting a GCSE Results drop-in at each one of our centres on GCSE Results Day between 22nd – 23rd August. If you want to attend one of these sessions, register online and find out what is next in your creative journey!
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