Q1. I didn't get the grades that I needed to go on to do A levels. Should I resit my GCSEs in these subjects?

Q2. I haven't got the GCSE grade demanded by the sixth-form college to study one of my chosen A levels and don't know what to do. I'm desperate to do this subject but am not sure if the college will accept me. Is it possible that the exam board may have made a mistake?

Q3. I will have to prepare for some January re-sits. My school does not really approve of this. Are there exam centres where I can do this?

Q4. I will have to prepare for some January re-sits. My school does not really approve of this. Are there exam centres where I can do this?

Q1. I didn't get the grades that I needed to go on to do A levels. Should I resit my GCSEs in these subjects?
That's a difficult one, and the answer all depends on you. You need to ask yourself some basic questions such as why you didn't get your grades and whether you would only be re-sitting because you can't think of what else to do?

If it is the latter, then you are unlikely to do better the second time round - because the motivation to work will not be there. You will probably start the course feeling that you know it all already and that you only have to brush up on some things before the exams. Re-sitting is not an easy option if you want to improve your grades.

On the other hand, if you underperformed because you didn't work hard enough - and you have changed your ways and motivated yourself to do better - and your future career choices depends on getting these better grades - then the answer is yes, re-sit, as you will not be wasting your time.

There are other choices too, of course, and other routes which might be more useful and motivating to you. See the QCA's guide on GCSEs and A levels on this site and have a look at the 'Aim Higher' website which can be accessed from the www links on this page for career ideas, and much more.

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Q2. I haven't got the GCSE grade demanded by the sixth-form college to study one of my chosen A levels and don't know what to do. I'm desperate to do this subject but am not sure if the college will accept me. Is it possible that the exam board may have made a mistake?
First thing to do is to contact the college to confirm whether or not they will accept you for that A level course. You may be worrying needlessly.

But in any case, you can challenge your grades and it is possible that the exam board has made an error. This can only be done through your school and with their support. The number of grades changed though is extremely small and the examining boards do take extreme measures to ensure that the grades issued are correct.

However, you can - if your school requests it - have your marked scripts, or photocopies of them, returned for inspection. You could also have your scripts re-marked or clerically checked to confirm your grades. If more marks are awarded, sufficient to take you into a higher grade band, then that new grade will be issued. But if fewer marks are awarded on one of these investigations, then your grades could go down.

Depending on how badly you have done in this subject, and how keen you are to study it at A level, you may find another school or college would be willing to accept you on your chosen A level course with the results you already have.

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Q3. I will have to prepare for some January re-sits. My school does not really approve of this. Are there exam centres where I can do this?
The easiest thing would be to re-sit at your old school. Otherwise, you may have difficulty in finding somewhere which does exactly the same syllabuses as you. You can only sit through a registered school or college, as they will need to take responsibility for the administration and coursework requirements. Exam boards have lists of colleges willing to take external candidates. If your old school will not accept you, then you need to contact the board(s) concerned and see if they can recommend a school or college which would be willing to take you on. These centres can charge an administration fee in addition to normal exam fees.

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Q4. As I have now left school, how and when will I receive my GCSE certificates?
Your certificates will be sent to your school and you will need to collect them from there. Some schools have certificate evenings and students return to receive them at that time. Different schools will have different arrangements and you need to contact your school to see what their particular arrangements are.

Certificates are usually issued towards the end of October by the exam boards, but again you can check this with your school.

Make sure you do collect your certificates though - many people don't and it causes them some problems later in life.