The ultimate guide to A-Level and GCSE Results Day 2017
The 17th of August 2017 (A-Level Results Day) and the 24th August 2017 (GCSE Results Day) will inevitably be a memorable day for thousands of students all over the UK. However, the reason why this day will be ingrained in their memory will vary enormously.
In recent years A-Level results day has by far become one of the busiest days of the academic year. So, we thought we'd put together an ultimate guide to A-Level and GCSE results day 2017!
Top Tips for A-Level Results Day 2017
Get a good night's sleep - Just like with the exams themselves, you want a fully-functioning brain in case you have to make an important decision regarding your university choices, clearing or taking a year out.
Have a big breakfast - Even though results officially come out at midnight, eating well will fuel the emotional (and physical) energy you will need to tackle the day ahead.
Charge your phone overnight - You want to be ready to call friends and family about your results. You may also need to contact your school, other universities, or simply want to call us for some free advice and support.
Pack a bag - Make sure that you have paper, a pen and a calculator at hand in case you need to re-calculate your UMS marks for each unit.
Don't panic! - If you don't receive the results you need or expect, don't worry! There are plenty of options available to you.
Don't rush - Take your time making decisions. It is important not to make any hasty decisions that you may later regret. There are many options, so don't rush.
Don't keep your results to yourself - Talking about your results is essential. Talk to trusted members of staff and/or friends and family. Tutor House can also offer you support whenever you are ready. We can talk you through the next steps available to you.
Check clearing - Check the UCAS website or newspapers (such as The Daily Telegraph) for clearing places. In order to stand a chance of securing a place you will need to act quickly and efficiently.
Receiving Your A-Level Results
There are many routes via which you can receive your results. Most students will either collect their results in person or they will wait to receive them online. However, some schools, sixth form colleges and academies will send out results via text message.
When deciding how you would like to receive your results consider how you will feel if the results are good or bad and whether or not you are best suited to receive the news in private or in a public place. Some find comfort in going with friends to receive their results as they know that they will find moral support if they need it.
Others prefer to keep themselves to themselves (except perhaps with the exception of family) and not go in to collect their results. You could of course compromise and collect your results at school and then open them quietly alone, allowing you to find out your result privately, but also giving you easy access to the school in case you need to go in and seek guidance.
What happens if you get the results you needed?
If you meet the grade requirement stated by your conditional offer and wish to take it up then you will very soon be on your way to university!
If you're concerned about the content of the upcoming course or want any advice, or if you wish to retake a few units or modules, we can help.
Tutor House is here to offer free advice and guidance to any student who requires assistance with their results. Our qualified team have been helping students for the last decade and are highly experienced and knowledgeable. We offer private A-Level tutors in London, and all over the globe, for students looking for supplementary support outside of school.
What happens if you do better than expected?
If you exceed your firm conditional offer you may be interested in what other courses and universities you could now potentially secure a place at. If this is the case go to UCAS' adjustment service to explore your options.
What happens if you no longer want the offer you accepted?
If you no longer want the offer you previously accepted you will have to contact the university or college to ask them if you can decline. UCAS will have already let your insurance university know that you have declined their offer (even though it still shows as an unconditional insurance on UCAS Track).
Next, you would enter clearing and see if your insurance choice or any other university can offer you a place.
However, it is crucial to note that there are no guarantees that you will find an offer and you can't go back to your original offer.
What happens if you didn't receive your required grade(s)?
Don't panic - There are plenty of options available.
Although it might initially seem as though your fate has been sealed, there are in fact many alternative avenues for you to explore.
The first task is to take a piece of paper, a pen and a calculator and re-calculate your UCAS points just to be sure that no mistakes have been made. If no fault is found call up your university of choice to double check that you definitely have not been accepted and if there is anything that you can do to achieve the acceptance.
Failing this, call up your other university choices (including your insurance option) and ask them the same.
If neither works it is time to start considering other options such as looking into exam reviews and appeals. If you want to arrange a review you will need to do it as soon as possible and be sure to keep your chosen university or college up to date with the progress.
Alternatively, the UCAS clearing service offers the opportunity for you to find another course or university. If this brings no reward then you may want to consider apprenticeships, going into full (or part-time) work, or taking a gap year.
A final option is to re-sit your A-levels (or GCSEs). Although the idea of resisting your exams might seem a daunting and tedious task it pays off.
At Tutor House, many of our students not only meet the grade requirements they previously failed to attain, but exceed and go on to study at a higher tiered university. There is also the option to take on a new A-Level which we can homeschool you through for the academic year.
Not sure what to do next?
To support students living in London, we're offering two days of free advice and support to all A-Level students receiving their exam results on Thursday 17th and Friday 18th August 2017.
A-Level students are invited to join the Tutor House team during the two open days at our offices in Fitzrovia for advice on what to do if they didn't get their required grades to get into their universities, as well as free guidance on:
Exam retake options
A-Level clearing support
Gap year options
UCAS advice
Private tutoring options
Short intensive exam retake courses
Group tutoring and revision courses in London
Personal statement advice
GOOD LUCK!