It’s that time of the year again, the UK exam season has begun! Whether you’re revising, taking exams or letting off steam with your friends, sometimes it can be tough to look to the future and prepare for what’s next – A-Level Results Day 2024! That’s why this blog covers everything you need to know in order to best prepare for A-Level results day.
A-Level results day is on Thursday, the 15th of August 2024. Usually you’re able to collect your results from 8am onwards from your school, college or exam centre. Though this may vary, so make sure to check with them well in advance.
In order to prepare well, you could imagine how your A-Level results day will play out ahead of time. Let’s imagine a world where you’re unprepared. You wake up, uncertain when or where you need to go. You don’t know what your results or offers actually mean, and therefore what options you have. Sounds scary right? Without preparing for the day, you’re putting yourself into a more difficult position to succeed, before the day has even begun.
Now let’s imagine a world where you’ve prepared ahead of time. You’ve woken up with enough time to shower, eat breakfast, and even prepare yourself mentally. You’ve left with enough time to get there on time, and you know exactly where you’re going. You have hopes for what results to expect but, vitally, you have other options planned just in case. That sounds so much better, doesn’t it? This could be you if you prepare.
Before A-Level results day, think of a plan for the day. This could just be in your head, maybe you prefer to write down, or you could even have a practice run day! Whatever works best for you, just make sure you make the day as easy as possible for yourself by preparing. You also need to prepare for the grades themselves. What’s your plan if you get the results you hoped for, or results worse than you hoped for? Also make sure to have a plan for if you get grades better than you hoped for. Many students don’t even think about those options, but it’s completely possible to!
Whether you’re looking to go to university, an apprenticeship or a job, preparing will help you decide the best route on the day.
Many students will collect their results in person from their college, school or exam centre. This usually takes place from 8am onwards but can vary from provider to provider – so make sure to check in advance.
Collecting your results in person means you’ll be surrounded by friends who are in a similar scenario to you. This gives you an opportunity to come together and share your joy, sorrow and support for one another.
However, we all know that sometimes this isn’t always possible, that’s OK too, you have other options…
First and foremost, the most important thing is to not worry – there are options available to you! If you can’t collect your results in person, you have alternative methods to receive them. You may be able to choose to access them online, have them mailed to you, or even ask someone else to pick them up on your behalf. Just be sure to communicate any changes with your college, school, or exam centre ahead of time. Now, let’s dive into the details and discuss these options further.
Some schools and colleges will share your A Level results with you online – however, this is dependent on your school or college and the exam board you took the exam with. A Level results might be sent out in an email in addition to your physical copy and sometimes you’ll have to wait a while. Whereas other schools/colleges may only offer to deliver your results online if you have a genuine reason to not pick up your results in person. For example:
So don’t worry! You should be able to receive your results online if necessary, just reach out to your college ahead of time. Speak to your school or college to see what your options are.
If you’re unable to personally pick up your A Level results, many schools offer the option for a friend, guardian, or family member to collect them on your behalf. It’s important to plan ahead and inform the school about this arrangement. To authorise someone else to pick up your results, you’ll need to provide a signed document to the school, indicating your consent and specifying the person you’ve chosen.
It’s essential for your designated proxy to bring a form of identification, preferably a photo ID, as schools will only release your results to the individual you have authorised to do so. So, if you’ve ever worried about someone else taking your results, rest assured that without your consent, your results will not be handed over to anyone else.
Many, but not all, schools and colleges, will post your A Level results – as long as you can provide a genuine reason to do so. Remembering that every school/college and exam board will make different decisions, so it’s important you get in touch as soon as possible to see if they will.
If your college agrees to post your results, they might not arrive on your door step the morning of A Level results day, so be prepared to be patient.
Amendments can and should be made to how you receive your A Level results if you have a genuine reason. But you should reach out to your college, school or exam centre ahead of time. Speak to them in good time and find out how results can be shared with you, whether it be online, posted, in person to yourself, or to a proxy.
A Level results day 2024 is a day of celebration, not always celebrating the grades you’ve achieved, but instead celebrating the hard work you’ve put into the results you’ve achieved, but instead celebrating the hard work you’ve put into the results you’ve achieved. While results do play a large part of a potential University application, they’ll also consider a wide range of information about a student, including your overall performance throughout school, teacher comments, personal statement and your predicted grades. Higher education can provide you with many opportunities but, it is by no means the perfect option for everyone and there are many other paths you can take after A Levels. Sometimes you don’t get the grades you want but that’s okay, you still have many options. If you’d like support exploring your next steps, why not call a results day helpline?
By speaking to a qualified adviser, you’ll get support to explore your options such as:
The National Careers Service Exam helpline (0800 100 900) will be open from 08:00 to 20:00 Monday to Friday and 10:00 to 17:00 on Saturday for throughout August 2024.
A-Level results day 2024 is on the 15th of August (whilst GCSE results day is the 22nd). This is the first year since the pandemic that exams have returned to pre-pandemic grading but, there is protection for this cohort through a grade allowance for any disruptions. If you can’t attend GCSE results day in person, reach out to your school. Check if they can support you in receiving your results another way.
But most of all, don’t worry! GCSE results day 2024 is your chance to come together with your friends and families to celebrate the hard work you’ve put in, no matter the outcome. Got your GCSE results and still need support? Call the National Careers Service GCSE Results Day Helpline (0800 100 900).
Good luck!