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There is no doubt that countless British teenagers feel a mixture of dread and excitement on the morning of their GCSE results day. Some will go on to celebrate their results and others might be disappointed.
It’s important to be kind to yourself when receiving your GCSE results. Results day can feel like the conclusive end to a long journey, but this is deceptive. You’re at the very beginning of your life with plenty of learning and growing to go yet. It’s exciting! Friends, family, teachers, and youth employment organisations are designed to support you. So here is an overview of some of the next steps you can take to make it the future you want.
It's easy to feel defeatist in the face of disappointing results and they can stir a mix of emotions. It’s okay to accept your feelings, but it’s important to start looking toward the future and other options rather than dwelling on your results. Remember, passing exams are not the only measure of success, and many successful people didn’t get the results they wanted either. This includes Sir Richard Branson, Robbie Williams and Jo Malone.
What we traditionally think of as failure can actually be a transformative tool for self-improvement. Take some time to reflect on your studies and think about what could have gone better. It can be useful to go through the timeline building up to the exams. Perhaps you were overwhelmed with nerves on the day? Or was it impacted by stress caused from other areas of your life? Or maybe it was not having a plan in place for your revision, like a revision timetable?
The good news is that there are methods to help you. The NHS has helpful advice on calming episodes of anxiety. Look to supportive networks with your loved ones, school, and youth services, which can offer guidance. Putting in place new coping strategies means you’re giving yourself a much stronger chance of avoiding the same mishaps in the future. This way, you can be sure that in your next adventures, you’ll be better prepared. .
There are a number of things you can do if you didn’t get the GCSE grades you wanted, such as:
UK law says that pupils who do not achieve a grade 4 or above in Maths and English need to resit these GCSEs if they wish to do A Level or BTEC programmes. These resits typically take place in November, so this path allows you to rectify the situation rather quickly, while still giving you two more precious months to make the most of this second chance.
GCSE resits for additional subjects outside of Maths and English are usually available to sit the following summer. Most colleges and sixth forms are understanding about resits and often it can be arranged for you to continue onto further study whilst you prepare to retake your GCSE.
The second time round at GCSE will likely be a very different experience for pupils. You won’t be surrounded by other nerve-stricken classmates also worrying about their exams and you won’t be able to compare your own progress to that of your peers. It’s a time to truly focus on your goals and act upon those pesky weak spots you identified from the initial exams.
If your original plans were to attend college or sixth form and you missed out on the grade boundaries, contact their administration as soon as possible because they might still accept you. If there are spaces still available on the course and you show initiative and enthusiasm by speaking to them directly and as soon as possible, things could go in your favour. A top tip would be to speak about all the things you’ve done around school– whether you’ve taken part in NCS or volunteered – as all these extracurricular experiences that show your independence, positive attitude and readiness to progress can help.
Learn more about apprenticeships in our guide to apprenticeships.
Often, these alternatives are regarded as less prestigious than traditional academic routes like A levels, but this is a myth. Rather, certain facts about youth employment have shown the importance of vocational routes for a healthy, diverse generation of young people, all with varying skills and abilities. The Youth Unemployment Committee has even produced a report urging the government to commit greater investment into these alternative options so more young people feel empowered to take them.
If you're sceptical about your final grade, or you’ve only narrowly missed a grade boundary that would have otherwise facilitated further educational opportunities, you do have the power to challenge this. Speak to your school, and they can contact the examination board and nominate your work for reassessment. Do this as quickly as possible, ideally on results day, if you’re hoping to reapply to further education in time for the same September intake.
Your GCSE results are just one part of your journey—not the final word. Whether you're resitting exams, exploring new paths, or considering alternative options, there are many ways forward. Take time to reflect, seek support, and explore what’s next—your future is still full of possibilities.
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