Retaking GCSE Exams

Students may need to pay for the resit and find an institution that will allow you to resit the exam, as you may not be able to re-sit it at your old school or at your new college.

Government legislation states that students need to have a Grade C in Maths and English, and will need to have these grades to continue. Most employers and college programmes, like BTEC or apprenticeships; require individuals to hold a grade C in Maths and English, or they won’t be accepted.

Retaking GCSEs while studying A-Levels

Furthermore, the majority of institutions that have students taking A Levels require the students to have, typically, 5 GCSES at grade A*-C. If you can be accepted, and passed the core subjects, English, Maths and Science, then you may not need to retake other GCSEs. Retaking GCSEs while studying for your A Levels may prove difficult as you will have to study for both at the same time, and A Levels are a higher level. Also, A Levels are higher than GCSEs so in certain cases worth more, therefore should receive more time and effort, and if you retake a GCSE, could jeopardise that grade. This doesn’t mean that a student is unable to do this, with tips for GCSE exams and hard work and snacks to fuel GCSE revision, good grades can be achieved, and you might still be able to study things like a Certificate of Higher Education or a Diploma of Higher Education!

Options after GCSEs

There are many career options after GCSE results for students, such as working, studying A Levels, retaking GCSEs while studying A Levels, retaking GCSEs while working, night school, studying abroad or even an apprenticeship abroad. The results that you receive on GCSE results day do not shape your entire life; there is life after GCSE results.

Change in the Curriculum

Sometimes exams boards can change the curriculum or the exam specification – what is included in the exam. This can mean that you won’t necessarily study or revise the same information that you have previously done the first time round. Therefore, if you have decided to retake your GCSE or to re-sit the exam at a later date, check what is included in the exam specification and stay updated with information released by the examining board. Otherwise, if you choose to study on your own accord for the GCSE, you may be revising the wrong material! Make sure you check in with your teacher beforehand, they may have an idea of what you need to study before it's too late!