Yahoo News GCSE results day: A step-by-step guide on what to expect today
GCSE results day is finally here, after months of anxious waiting. For many pupils, it will be the most nerve-wracking day of their lives so far.
Have they got the grades they need for what they want to do next? What happens if they don’t? The important thing to remember is that there’s no need to panic. Whatever your situation, there is always an answer.
So take a deep breath and read our guide on what to do today.
Good luck!
When can I find out my results?
All pupils collect their results today - the morning of Thursday, 23rd of August 2018. Check with your school to find out about exact timings, as they can vary.
If you’re unable to go to your school, you can ask to receive your results by post. You can also arrange for a relative or friend to pick up your results for you. They’ll need to take in a signed letter from you and a form of ID for themselves.
What should I bring with me on the day?
Mobile phone (so you can contact family and friends)
A relative or trusted adult for moral support
A pen, a piece of paper and a calculator - just in case. With so many different grades and numbers to get your head around, results can be confusing
A camera (for that Results Day selfie)
What can parents do?
Results Day can often be just as nerve-wracking for parents. After all, they're usually the ones who’ve supported their sons or daughters through exams and put up with revision mood-swings.
“Quite often, children might want to go on their own or with friends. But I would say go with them - and if anything has gone awry, get in and sort it out straight away,” she advises.
“Perhaps just say: ‘I’ve got to pop into town anyway’. You need to be there – if they don’t get the results they want, they’re likely to be upset."
Remind me of the changes to GCSEs...
The new numerical system uses grades one to nine. So it’s a dramatic shift away from the A*- G system that we’ve all been familiar with for decades, though each numerical grade has an equivalent in the letter grades
The bottom of a grade 7 is equivalent to the bottom of a grade A, for example, and the bottom of grade 4 is equivalent to the bottom of a grade C. The bottom of a 1 is aligned to the bottom of a G.
Number grades were used for the first time last summer for English Literature, English Language and Maths - while other subjects were given the old A* to G grades.
This summer, another 20 subjects will have 9 to 1 grading, with most others following in 2019.
The numerical grades were designed by former Education Secretary Michael Gove as a way to counter grade inflation at the top end. A and A* grades are now split between seven, eight and nine.
They are part of a package of reforms which included toughening up syllabuses and axing coursework in many subjects.
Confused?
You're not alone. Since the changes were introduced, exam board regulator Ofqual commissioned a YouGov survey of 2,974 employers, universities, school leaders, parents, teachers and members of the general public to examine perceptions of the new GCSE and A-level grades.
Some 23 per cent of employers wrongly believed that 1 was the top grade, compared with 64 per cent who correctly stated that 9 was.
Can I get a re-mark?
If there’s any doubt about the grade awarded to a pupil, schools and colleges can ask exam boards to review the marking of an exam or their moderation of coursework.
So if you think your grade may be wrong, speak to your school as soon as possible and ask them to submit the request for you.
You never know how you may react on the day, so make sure you're accompanied by a trusted adult who can, if necessary, make your case for you.
What if I'm still unhappy with my grade?
If you're still unsatisfied, the school can submit an appeal to the exam board.
Appeals can be made if an exam board did not apply its procedures consistently or if procedures were not followed properly and fairly.
There’s also a second ground for appeal, currently being rolled out to GCSEs in English Language, English Literature and Maths in 2018 and all other GCSEs in 2019.
This applies to an error in the original marking or moderation, or in the review of that marking or moderation.
Examples include: an administrative error (such as adding up marks incorrectly); the mark scheme not being properly applied; or the suspicion that the mark could not have been given by a trained marker with appropriate subject knowledge.
You can also appeal decisions to do with requests for reasonable adjustments and special consideration or decisions taken after an investigation into malpractice or maladministration.
If you're still unhappy with the outcome of an appeal, you can lodge a secondary appeal.
Failing that, your next port of call is the Examinations Procedures Review Service (EPRS), which is provided by exam board regulator, Ofqual.
Appeals must be made within 14 days of getting the result of a review.
What if I need to resit an exam?
If you don't achieve at least a grade 4 or 5 (formerly a C) in Maths and English, then you won't be able to proceed to A-level.
Re-sits for these exams take place in November. Re-sits in other subjects take place the following summer.
As well as allowing you to progress to A-level, re-sits can give you a better choice of sixth form, further education, career choices and, ultimately, university.
Make sure to check with your school for exact re-sit options.
What if I have to change school for sixth form?
If you missed the grades to get into your chosen sixth form college or school, get in touch with them as soon as possible to find out if they will still accept you. Even if they won’t take you for the A-levels you wanted to take, they may offer you different courses instead.
If they still won't offer you a place, take a look at other institutions with lower entry requirements.
Your GCSE results day questions answered
Have a question regarding GCSE results day? What is the best next step for your child’s education? The Telegraph are hosting a Q&A session with a number of established education specialists to answer all of your GCSE related questions.
Click this link and leave a question in the comments section, or join us on the day from 12pm for live responses.
