Your Guide to GCSE and A Level Exam Results: Interpreting Grades and Future Options

Exam results day can be a whirlwind of emotions. You’ve studied and worked hard for years to make sure your GCSE or A Level grades are the best they can be.

So take a deep breath. You’re almost there. Congratulations!

But whether you’re over the moon with your results or feeling a bit deflated, it’s important to understand what those grades mean and what your next steps might be.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to interpret your GCSE and A Level results, explore your options for the future, as well as where to go to find key information.

Let’s dive in.

Understanding Exam Boards in the UK

First things first, it’s helpful to know about the exam boards behind your GCSE and A Level exams.

In the UK, there are four main exam boards: AQA, OCR, Pearson Edexcel and WJEC Eduqas. Each has its own style and approach to assessments, so knowing which board you used gives insights into how your papers were marked.

AQA (Assessment and Qualifications Alliance) offers a broad range of subjects and is known for its detailed specifications and helpful teaching resources.
OCR (Oxford, Cambridge and RSA Examinations) focuses on a mix of academic and practical skills.
Pearson Edexcel is part of a global education company, offering both academic and vocational qualifications.
WJEC Eduqas is popular in Wales but also used across England, known for clear guidance and support.

You might sit all your subjects with just one exam board, a couple of different ones – or even all four. It’s really up to your school and subject teachers which exam boards they choose.

You’ll see the exam board listed on your GCSE or A Level certificates. But if you’re unsure, just ask.

No matter which exam board you studied with, the good news is they’re all equally fair. By this, we mean an A* with AQA represents the same level of difficulty as an A* with Edexcel. The Department of Education and Ofqual make sure all exam boards follow the national curriculum (where appropriate) and check all papers are standardised – both in terms of questions and marking.

What are grade boundaries?

Each exam board publishes its grade boundaries on its website shortly after results are released. These boundaries show you the minimum number of marks needed for each grade, helping you understand how close you were to the next grade up.

This is invaluable information if you’ve just fallen short of your goals, and are deciding whether to go for a resit or get your paper re-marked.

For instance, if you’re only a couple of points away from that B you hoped for, you might ask examiners to take another look at your paper. On the other hand, if you’re right at the bottom of the grade boundary – it’s probably worth sitting your exam again.

To get an idea of grade boundaries before you receive your results, head to each exam board’s website. They publish grade boundaries from previous years, giving you a rough idea what to expect.

Here’s where to find them:

Interpreting your exam results

Seeing those grades on your results slip can be overwhelming. But what do they actually mean? Well quite simply, each grade reflects your performance in that subject.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

GCSEs: Grades 9-1, with 9 being the highest. A grade 4 is a standard pass, and a grade 5 is a strong pass.
A Levels: Grades A*-E, with A* being the highest.

If your results aren’t what you expected, take a pause. Don’t worry – there are plenty of options.

Look at your individual paper marks and compare them with the grade boundaries to see how close you were to a higher grade. Sometimes, it might be worth considering a re-mark. You can also choose to resit exams.

Alternatively, there are loads of different academic and vocational pathways you can choose from, catering for a whole array of GCSE and A Level grades.

We’ll start with your post-16 choices.

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

Post-16 Choices: What Next After GCSEs?

So, you’ve got your GCSE results, now what?

There are several paths you can take:

A Levels: Ideal if you’re aiming for university. You’ll typically need at least five GCSEs at grades 9-4 (A*-C), including English and Maths. Some subjects, like A Level Maths, may require a specific grade in that GCSE.

Vocational Qualifications: Options like BTECs are great if you prefer practical learning. They’re career-focused and often have more flexible entry requirements. They’re offered by most colleges, so find your local provider – and see what courses are available.

Apprenticeships: These combine work with study and lead to qualifications while gaining job experience. Apprenticeships generally require GCSEs at grades 9-4 (A*-C), particularly in English and Maths. This isn’t always the case though (and many accept lower grades), so check course qualifications carefully.

T Levels: These new qualifications are equivalent to three A Levels and include an industry placement. You’ll need at least five GCSEs at grades 9-4 (A*-C). You can find out more about what’s involved on the government website.

When thinking about your post-GCSE options, consider what subjects you enjoy and what career you might want in the future. Then think about how to get there! Speak to your teachers and career advisors to help make the best choice for you.

There’s also a handy “Skills Assessment” as well as a “Find a Course” tool from the National Careers Service to help you explore your options.

A Level Results and University Pathways

If you’re waiting for A Level results, you’ll know this already… but your A Level grades are crucial for university admissions. Universities use these results to determine if you meet the entry requirements for your course.

Each grade at A Level translates into UCAS tariff points, which some universities use to make offers. For example, an A* is worth 56 points, an A is worth 48 and a B is 40.

Here’s the official UCAS points calculator for a full breakdown.

So for instance, a university might ask for 120 UCAS points. As long as you reach this threshold, you’ll gain a place on the course. So this could be with two Cs and an A*, or it could be with AAB.

Some universities stick with traditional grade-based offers (so something like AAA). In this case, you’ll need to make sure your grades are at least As or higher.

Check the specific requirements for your chosen university courses. Some fields, like engineering, maths or science, may require certain subjects and grades.

But if you didn’t get the grades you needed, don’t panic. The UCAS Clearing process matches thousands of students to available university places – and there are loads of fantastic universities and courses on offer.

You can also look at A Level resits (often with the help of a specialist academic tutor) and reapply to university the following year.

Understanding your exam results: in summary

Navigating your results and planning your future can feel overwhelming, but remember, you’re not alone. There are so many students up and down the country going through the same thing, at exactly the same time. And there are plenty of places you can go for help and advice.

As well as checking your exam board’s website for updates and information, talk to your teachers, career advisors, friends and family. There are also resources like the National Careers Service as well as organisations like UCAS and Talking Futures that can help you plan ahead and think about your long-term goals.

With a firm understanding of your GCSE or A Level exam results and what they mean for your future choices, you’ll make the right decisions that align with your academic and career goals. When results day does roll around, we wish you the very best of luck!