It’s normal to feel disappointed
Failing your GCSEs can feel like the end of the world. You might feel like you’re the only one who’s failed, but it’s actually quite common. GCSEs aren’t easy, and a lot of people don’t get the grades they want. It can be hard to pick yourself up and move on, but there are plenty of people who have been in your situation and gone on to have successful careers.
There are plenty of options available, so don’t give up on your dreams just because you’ve hit a bump in the road.
Practical things you can do straight away if you have failed your GCSEs
At Tutorful, we often get asked, “What if I fail my GCSEs?” Here’s a few things to do next: –
First of all, do set up a meeting with your teacher. They can help you understand what happened and offer advice on all your options.
They can also help you to request to see your paper to look at where you went wrong – which is important if you need to resit.
If you think you’re close to a grade boundary, it may be worth looking to get your papers remarked. Again, your teacher can help with this process.
For Maths and English, resitting is compulsory if you haven’t achieved a pass (grade 4) to progress onto further education. So, make sure you’re getting all the help you need (and are entitled to!) from your school.
You may be worried about getting left behind as your friends move onto A-Level or equivalent courses. Remember that you should be able to resit some of your GCSEs alongside your new A level studies – so do ask about this.
Another option is through a functional skills course. These are GCSE equivalent courses that cover the necessary everyday skills that employers look for. These courses are more practical in nature and less academic. Online studying offers the flexibility to learn at your own pace in time slots that work best for you. You can also study part time.
These courses are Ofqual regulated and nationally recognised as a GCSE-equivalent and accredited by City & Guilds. So, if you need English, maths, or ICT grade C, consider a functional skills course.
You may wonder if you can you go to university without GCSEs. It’s true that GCSEs are required for entry into most universities. However, there are some exceptions to this rule.
Some Universities offer foundation courses designed for students who do not have the necessary GCSEs. So, it is possible to attend university without GCSEs, but it may require taking a slightly different route.
Most importantly, take some time to digest and reflect – don’t beat yourself up or catastrophise. It’s important to try not to compare yourself to friends.
Can you retake GCSEs?
There’s no age limit on re taking GCSEs, so if you’re thinking of retaking any exams, you can go ahead and do so.
How do you resit your exams?
Your teacher will take you through how to apply for any resits and the dates involved.
Try to retake the exams as soon as possible after your first attempt. This will help ensure that the material is still fresh in your mind. If you don’t pass, don’t panic, you can simply wait until the next academic year to try again.
Have you considered an apprenticeship?
Apprenticeships are a great way to learn new skills while also earning a pay cheque. They offer courses in a variety of fields, including healthcare, business, and technology. Many students are choosing to earn and learn at the same time so this may also work for you.
Looking forward
Finally, don’t forget that there are plenty of resources available to help you succeed. At Tutorful, we help thousands of students in this situation. There are people and programs out there who can help you get back on track. So don’t worry!
We surveyed parents of recent exam students, the results showed having a tutor was proven to increased grades – be sure to get a step ahead!
