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GCSEs 2015: Expert advice GCSEs 2015: Expert advice
(about 1 hour later)
GCSE results day has finally arrived and many teenagers will be celebrating success, but what happens if your grades are not what you were expecting?GCSE results day has finally arrived and many teenagers will be celebrating success, but what happens if your grades are not what you were expecting?
Places on many school sixth form or college courses depend on achieving minimum grades at GCSE - so if your marks did not meet expectations, getting good advice is crucial.Places on many school sixth form or college courses depend on achieving minimum grades at GCSE - so if your marks did not meet expectations, getting good advice is crucial.
Rachel Locke of the National Careers Service is on hand to advise readers about what to do about unexpected results.Rachel Locke of the National Careers Service is on hand to advise readers about what to do about unexpected results.
Congratulations on passing your maths, Leah. Well done!Congratulations on passing your maths, Leah. Well done!
It depends on the type of qualification you have received a pass grade in. A functional skills qualification is usually on a scale so you would need to find out what level the pass is at.It depends on the type of qualification you have received a pass grade in. A functional skills qualification is usually on a scale so you would need to find out what level the pass is at.
Some colleges and sixth forms may require you to achieve a specific grade to study a subject at A-level. It might be an idea to speak to someone at college about your options.Some colleges and sixth forms may require you to achieve a specific grade to study a subject at A-level. It might be an idea to speak to someone at college about your options.
You could also consider other types of qualifications, for example a BTEC or an apprenticeship. The route you take will depend on what you want to do in future. There is a course search facility on the UCAS Progress website which you might find useful. You may also find it useful to talk through your options with an adviser at the National Careers Service by calling 0800 100 900.You could also consider other types of qualifications, for example a BTEC or an apprenticeship. The route you take will depend on what you want to do in future. There is a course search facility on the UCAS Progress website which you might find useful. You may also find it useful to talk through your options with an adviser at the National Careers Service by calling 0800 100 900.
I'm sorry you feel as though you are at a disadvantage, Kirsty, but it's great that you have taken GCSE maths to further your career prospects and hopefully you will achieve a pleasing result today.I'm sorry you feel as though you are at a disadvantage, Kirsty, but it's great that you have taken GCSE maths to further your career prospects and hopefully you will achieve a pleasing result today.
It can be difficult to study as an adult who may have been out of a traditional learning environment for some time. The fact that you have managed to get through all the course material in 26 weeks is a real achievement, one that many employers will look favourably upon.It can be difficult to study as an adult who may have been out of a traditional learning environment for some time. The fact that you have managed to get through all the course material in 26 weeks is a real achievement, one that many employers will look favourably upon.
Prospective employers will recognise such commitment, particularly during a period of unemployment, and there will always be options available to you whatever grade you achieve today. Employers will take many aspects into consideration, including previous work experience, written applications and performance at interviews, as well as your qualifications.Prospective employers will recognise such commitment, particularly during a period of unemployment, and there will always be options available to you whatever grade you achieve today. Employers will take many aspects into consideration, including previous work experience, written applications and performance at interviews, as well as your qualifications.
If you would like to talk through your options about getting back into work you can speak to an adviser at the National Careers Service on 0800 100 900. Good luck!If you would like to talk through your options about getting back into work you can speak to an adviser at the National Careers Service on 0800 100 900. Good luck!
I'm sorry to hear that this increase in the grade boundary has resulted in a drop in numbers of students achieving C grades, but it's important to remember the hard work of your pupils and teachers will not go unnoticed as a result of this change in marking.I'm sorry to hear that this increase in the grade boundary has resulted in a drop in numbers of students achieving C grades, but it's important to remember the hard work of your pupils and teachers will not go unnoticed as a result of this change in marking.
Students must meet exact boundaries set by the exam boards to achieve a particular grade. It's difficult to say how these changes in grade boundaries have affected students' overall grades from a wider perspective. More changes to GCSEs will take place over the next few years which will result in further amendments to the grading system.Students must meet exact boundaries set by the exam boards to achieve a particular grade. It's difficult to say how these changes in grade boundaries have affected students' overall grades from a wider perspective. More changes to GCSEs will take place over the next few years which will result in further amendments to the grading system.
Achieving a grade C in GCSE maths is important for young people, with many learning providers and employers seeking a C or above in GCSE maths and English or an equivalent qualification. For those students who did not achieve a C or above, there are plenty of alternative options available, and it could help them to talk through their options with someone.Achieving a grade C in GCSE maths is important for young people, with many learning providers and employers seeking a C or above in GCSE maths and English or an equivalent qualification. For those students who did not achieve a C or above, there are plenty of alternative options available, and it could help them to talk through their options with someone.
You can find out more about marking and grading on the Ofqual website.You can find out more about marking and grading on the Ofqual website.
With the gradual phasing of changes to A-levels it can be difficult to understand the decoupling of AS- and A-levels.With the gradual phasing of changes to A-levels it can be difficult to understand the decoupling of AS- and A-levels.
Physics and computing are among the first subjects to be taught under the new system from September 2015, whereas maths and further maths will be phased in at a later date.Physics and computing are among the first subjects to be taught under the new system from September 2015, whereas maths and further maths will be phased in at a later date.
Students sitting AS exams will gain a free-standing qualification at the end of the first year, but the results will no longer count towards a full A-level.Students sitting AS exams will gain a free-standing qualification at the end of the first year, but the results will no longer count towards a full A-level.
Some schools and colleges can choose to teach AS-levels alongside the first year of A-levels, so your son could study the first year of his A-level with AS students. Students may decide after one year of study that they would like to change direction and those doing so would still have a standalone qualification.Some schools and colleges can choose to teach AS-levels alongside the first year of A-levels, so your son could study the first year of his A-level with AS students. Students may decide after one year of study that they would like to change direction and those doing so would still have a standalone qualification.
AS results can be viewed as a predictor of success at university so they will continue to hold value, particularly in terms of Ucas points, for students not looking to complete a full A-level.AS results can be viewed as a predictor of success at university so they will continue to hold value, particularly in terms of Ucas points, for students not looking to complete a full A-level.
As the changes have not yet come into being, it can be a tricky concept to grasp - so you could talk through any concerns you have with your son's school or college. You may also find it helpful to look at the Ucas page on changes to A-levels.As the changes have not yet come into being, it can be a tricky concept to grasp - so you could talk through any concerns you have with your son's school or college. You may also find it helpful to look at the Ucas page on changes to A-levels.
It can be disappointing to receive a lower grade than expected, but a B in GCSE maths is great so congratulations to your son, Teresa.
A B grade does not necessarily mean he cannot study A-level maths at his current school. It could be useful to speak to them directly as they may be willing to consider this grade. The number of places on the course may also affect any decisions. It's worth considering the precise mark your son achieved as there could be a degree of flexibility if, for example, he was only a few marks off achieving an A grade.
Alternatively there is the option of other schools and colleges with different entry requirements. The Ucas Progress website contains some useful advice and details of possible alternatives in your area.
These results do sound quite confusing!
Is the Edexcel result for a BTEC? "Pass 2" could refer to a Level 2 Pass but BTEC Firsts and Nationals have slightly different grading systems so it depends on which type of qualification they are. The Ucas tariff table may be useful in establishing this.
As for the confusion over the results slip, it's difficult to say why the subject title appears differently. The exam officer at school should be able to clarify this so it would be a good idea to speak to them as soon as possible.
The OCR and Edexcel websites could prove useful too, and if you or your son would like to discuss this further with an adviser at the National Careers Service we are open from 08:00 until 22:00 every day.