Exam results - there is no need to stress

THE day that all of your hard work has been leading up to has finally arrived and you've got your exam results.

Perhaps you didn't get the exam results you wanted?

If you haven't done so well and you are disappointed - don't worry.

Things might not seem so good at the moment, but you've still got lots of options available to you.

Try to remember that you are not alone, there are lots of other young people in a similar situation to you.

SO WHAT CAN YOU DO:

* You might want to think about re-taking some of the subjects you didn't do too well in to see if you can improve on your grades.

* Have a chat with your school or college to see if you can do this.

* You might even think about making a fresh start and going to a new college to do this, where you will be with people who are in a similar situation.

University clearing

If you have just got your A level results and the grades are lower than you expected, then stay calm, as there is still lots you can do.

Firstly, contact your chosen college or university as they may still be able to offer you a place.

Alternatively, you can enter the 'clearing' system which gives you the opportunity to gain a college place before the academic year starts.

If you're eligible for this, you will be sent a 'Clearing Entry Form' (CEF) by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).

Perhaps exams are not your strong point, but you can shine at something else. You may have more creative talents, so don’t give up.

A PARENTS’ GUIDE TO EXAM RESULTS

So the results are in...

Whether your teenager has just received their A-level or GCSE results - if they didn't get what they wanted you're bound to have some questions about what happens next.

There might be some disappointed teens out there but there's no need for them to feel down.

There are many routes to success and getting glittering results isn't the only way.

GCSEs

•Getting low GCSE results could make it difficult for your teen to get into college or sixth form.

•Although they are graded from A*-G, most colleges and employers treat grades A*-C as passes. If your teen was disappointed with some of their GCSE results they could re-take them while they're at sixth form or at a further education college, alongside their other studies.

•Some people decide that instead of retaking GCSEs they will take a course linked to job training, like a GNVQ. This is another good way towards higher education.

•After GCSEs, there are are lots of different types of qualifications you can take instead of A-levels - including BTECs, OCR Nationals and GNVQs. For more information on these, visit the government website's qualifications explained section

A-levels and AS levels

•Universities require most applicants to have A-levels or equivalent qualifications (such as a BTEC or GNVQ)

•Some employers look for applicants who are qualified to at least this level.

•A-level courses generally take two years to complete. Students can study three or four subjects in your first year and then decide which subjects they want to continue studying in their second year

What's the difference between AS level and A level?

A levels are split into units and each unit is looked at separately through a mix of internal assessment and exams:

•AS units - these are studied in the first year of your A-level course. Most subjects have two AS units although some, like science and music, have three.

•A2 units - these are studied in the second year of your course. Most A-levels have two A2 units but again some subjects have three.

•Once the AS and the A2 part of the course is completed, the student has an A-level.

UCAS points

UCAS points are what universities use to assess whether an applicant has got the right grades. All qualifications are equivalent to a certain number of points and each course requires a specific amount of points to get a place.

Related topics: