Ultimate Guide to A level Results Day
Ultimate Guide to A-Level Results Day:
Staying Prepared and Positive
As A-Level results day draws near—this year falling on Thursday, August 15th—it's natural to feel a mix of excitement and anxiety. Whether you're collecting your results in person or receiving them online, it’s crucial to approach the day with a clear plan. Here are five top tips to help you navigate results day with confidence and calm.
1. Know the Logistics
First and foremost, mark your calendar with the correct date and time for results day. Each school or college may have a different schedule, so check when and how you can access your results. If you’re collecting them in person, know the exact time your results will be released. For those receiving results via email, ensure you're set to receive that crucial message without any hitches.
2. Using UCAS Track the night before & on A-Level Results Day
UCAS Track is a useful tool for students on results day. It allows you to see whether you've been accepted into your chosen university before you even pick up your actual A-Level results. Here’s how you can use UCAS Track to stay informed:
a. How UCAS Track Works
Updates: UCAS Track is updated once UCAS receives confirmation from universities about admission decisions based on the grades that exam boards have sent them. Typically, this update occurs around 8:15 AM on results day, but keep in mind that this is the time from which updates start; it could be a rolling process as different institutions send in their decisions at various times.
Logging In: Make sure you know your login details well before results day. Check your access in advance to avoid any last-minute issues with forgotten passwords or user IDs.
b. Before Collecting Your Results
Checking Early: You can log into UCAS Track before heading out to collect your printed results. This gives you an early indication of whether or not you have met the requirements for your university choices. If UCAS Track shows you've been accepted to your firm choice or insurance choice, you can feel more relaxed about collecting your results.
Understanding Statuses: If UCAS Track shows that you have been unsuccessful, or if your application is still being considered (often indicated by a status such as ‘Conditional’ or ‘Unconditional’ changing), then it's a signal to prepare for alternative options, such as Clearing.
c. What to Do If You're in Clearing
Clearing Number: If you find yourself in Clearing, UCAS Track will provide a Clearing number. This number is crucial as it will be required when you talk to universities about course vacancies.
Start Searching: Use the UCAS website to find available courses and contact universities directly. Having a charged phone is invaluable here, as you’ll need to act quickly.
d. Tips for Using UCAS Track Effectively
Stay Refreshed: Keep refreshing UCAS Track around the time updates start (midnight on14th August). However, remember that the system might be slow due to the high volume of students logging in.
Preparation: Have all relevant numbers and your UCAS information on hand. Write them down the night before to avoid scrambling on the day.
Backup Plan: Even if UCAS Track indicates you’ve secured a place, it’s wise to confirm directly with the university. Sometimes, there may be delays in the update or discrepancies that need clarification.
Understanding how to use UCAS Track can significantly reduce stress on results day. It allows you to approach the day with a clearer picture of your academic future and provides a head start on next steps, should your original plans need adjusting. Always remember, results day is just one step in your educational journey, and multiple paths can lead to your ultimate career and life goals.
3. What to Bring When You Collect Your Results
If you're going to your school or college to collect your results, remember to bring a few essential items:
UCAS login details: You’ll need these to access UCAS Track and view your university offers or clearing options.
ID numbers: Have your personal ID and any relevant exam numbers handy.
Charged mobile phone: Not only can you contact friends and family to share your news, but you’ll also need it to check UCAS Track and perhaps start making calls to universities if you’re entering Clearing.
4. Support
Results day can be emotional. Having a family member or a trusted friend with you can provide comfort and support, whether you're celebrating or dealing with disappointment. They can also help you make clear-headed decisions if you need to consider alternative options.
5. Have a Plan B
Unfortunately, it is inevitable that not everyone will meet their first-choice offer, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t other exciting opportunities. Prepare for various scenarios:
Re-mark: If your grades are just below the necessary threshold, consider asking for a remark. Deciding to request a remark requires a careful assessment of how close your mark is to the grade boundary, the risks involved, and the potential impact on your university admission. Always consult with your teachers or exam officers, who can provide guidance based on their experience and knowledge of your work and performance throughout the course.
Clearing: Familiarize yourself with how Clearing works. You might find an unexpected but fantastic course option through it.
Gap year or foundation year: Sometimes, taking a year out or starting a foundation year is the best step forward. It can provide extra time to refocus and even gain valuable life experience. For A level Physics students, I would almost never recommend resits. In my experience, very few students will end up with a better grade when they no longer have the support and discipline of the school environment to help them! Instead consider doing a foundation year for the course you really want to be on.
6. Re-marking
Understanding the re-marking process
Re-marking is part of the Post-Results-Services that exam boards supply, along with other things, like access to your scripts. Exam centres/schools can access whole cohort checks if there is some anomaly that extends past just a single student. You will need advice and help on your particular situation before you embark on this route forward.
For A-level Physics and Maths, because answers are so black and white, either right or wrong, it's unlikely your grade will change when you purchase a re-mark.
The exception, is if there has been an administrative error and, for example, a whole page has been missed off. You're not going to know this unless you ask for a re-mark, which is a Catch-22 situation (you can’t know if you need to ask – unless you ask - and you risk your mark going down as well as up!)
The indication that there has been a marking issue like this, is that your grade is very different to what would be expected for your ability; your teachers will be able to help you with making a decision here. If you suspect there has been a mistake like this, ask for help and advice from your school immediately.
For other subjects which are maybe more subjective than Physics (Geography, History, English, Art etc.) there may be more mileage in asking for a re-mark.
a. Check Your Raw Marks and Grade Boundaries
Raw Marks: First, you’ll need to find out your raw marks, which are the actual scores you received on each paper or component of your A-Level exams. These are sometimes included on the results slip, but if they’re not, you should contact your school or exam centre to obtain them.
Grade Boundaries: Grade boundaries are set by the examination boards and determine what raw mark is needed to achieve each grade. These boundaries can fluctuate each year based on overall performance and are designed to standardize grades across different exam sessions. You can usually find grade boundaries on the respective exam board’s website (e.g., AQA, OCR, Edexcel) at 8am or afterwards on the day the results are released.
For OCR go here:
https://ocr.org.uk/administration/grade-boundaries/
For AQA go here:
https://www.aqa.org.uk/exams-administration/results-days/grade-boundaries
For Edexcel go here:
https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/support/support-for-you/results-for-students.html
b. Evaluate How Close You Are to the Next Grade
Decision Point: If your raw mark is within a few points of the next grade boundary, it might be worth considering a re-mark. Typically, being within one to five marks off the next grade up might warrant a review, as small marking errors could potentially push your score into the higher grade bracket, and they are unlikely to drop you to a lower grade.
Requesting a Remark
a. Understand the Types of Reviews
Clerical Check: The simplest form of review, this ensures all parts of the exam have been marked and the total score has been added up correctly.
Review of Marking: A more thorough check where an independent examiner will ensure your answers were marked consistently with the marking criteria.
b. Consider the Risks and Costs
Potential for Grade Change: It’s important to understand that grades can go up, down, or stay the same after a re-mark. You should consider whether you can afford to take the risk of a potential grade decrease.
Fees: There are fees associated with re-marking, which can vary depending on the type of review requested and the exam board. These fees are typically refunded if your grade changes as a result of the re-mark.
c. How to Apply
Application Process: You apply for a re-mark through your school or college, which will handle the submission to the exam board. There is usually a tight deadline for re-mark applications post-results day, so act quickly if you decide to proceed.
d. Timing and Outcomes
Waiting Period: The turnaround time for a re-mark can vary but is usually within a couple of weeks. This can be crucial time if you are depending on a grade change to secure a university place.
Communication: Keep in touch with your desired university to inform them of the pending re-mark; they may be able to hold your place until the outcome is resolved, especially if the rest of your academic profile fits their requirements.
7. Plan Something Fun
Regardless of your results, you’ve worked hard and deserve recognition. Plan a relaxing or enjoyable activity for after you collect your results. This could be anything from a meal out with friends to a quiet day reflecting on your achievements and the exciting opportunities ahead.
Results day is a significant milestone, but it’s just the beginning of your next chapter. Whatever the outcome, having a plan will help you stay in control and make the most of the options available to you.
Good luck to everyone receiving your A-level results this year— you've got this!
