Don’t panic! Here are five things you can do if your A-Level results flopped

It’s not the end of the world


Did you open your A-Level results this morning and get a nasty surprise? You’re not alone, and there are plenty of things you can do if you failed, to squash that post-results anxiety.

1. Get your A-Level grades checked if you failed

All hope is not lost if you were only a couple marks off your target grade. Getting your work remarked is easier than you think. Contact your exam board as soon as possible. Most AS and A Level papers that get remarked and change grade increase instead of decrease, and it may be that extra push you need to secure a place at your top choice uni. Full warning, there may be a fee depending on your exam board.

2. Head to clearing and look for other options

Plenty of great universities still have spaces left, even if you failed your A Levels, or didn’t get the results you hoped for. If you’ve missed out on your top two, do some research on the best options for your course that still have spaces. Maybe the uni you overlooked during application season is really the place you’re meant to be.

3. Gap year, anyone?

There’s no rush to head to university straight after college or sixth form. You’ve just spent the last 14 years of your life in a classroom. Why not take some time out? Gap years can be a great time to save for uni, travel, and spend some time figuring out what your next steps are.

4. If all else fails, there’s always a resit

If the course you want to join has really strict grade boundaries, resitting is definitely something to consider. There’s plenty of ways to do it – some colleges offer resits in-house, or you could go to an intensive summer school. The options vary in price, but for courses like Medicine and Engineering, a couple months more spent studying isn’t too much of a stretch.

5. Don’t panic and make a decision you’ll regret

I know what it feels like to not get the grades you wanted. But try take some time to think about your next steps with a clear head. There’s plenty of free resources out there, like the Exam Results Helpline and the National Careers Service, who will give you expert advice on your best options. Wherever you end up, I’m sure you’ll smash it.

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