How to prepare for exam results day this August

If your son or daughter has taken A-levels, GCSEs, T-levels or VTQs (Vocational Technical Qualifications) this year, you will be very aware that results day is looming.

This year, A level, AS level and T Level results day is on Thursday 17 August. GCSE results day is on Thursday 24 August, and results of many Level 2 VTQs will also be available on or before this date.

Both results days this year will feel particularly significant, as they mark a full return to pre-pandemic grading arrangements, although some account will still be taken of the impact of disruption from the COVID-19 pandemic.

But what should you expect on results day, and what do you do if your son or daughter has not achieved the results they need for the next step they were hoping to take?

In this article we take a quick look at:

• What to expect on results day.
• How to prepare for results day.
• How to support your son or daughter on results day.
• What happens after results day.

What to expect on results day

The normal expectation is that pupils will go to their school or college to collect their results in person. This can be the best option as it also means that your son or daughter can get support and advice from teachers if needed, for example if their results might change their plans for September.

So make sure your son or daughter checks in advance the arrangements with their school or college, especially the right time to be there, as the school or college may only be open for a short period of time. Also check whether the school or college encourages parents to attend as well, or whether your son or daughter would prefer to go either on their own or with a group of friends. 

If your son or daughter does go into school or college, they will be given their results on printed sheets showing the grade they have achieved for each subject. But if they cannot go in, or choose not to,they can arrange to receive their results another way, usually by post or email or online. It may also be possible for another person to collect the results if this has been arranged in advance.

How to prepare for results day

As any parent of teenagers knows only too well, it can be very difficult to get any information out of them, particularly to do with feelings. But even if your son or daughter seems to be completely disinterested in results day, they may well be nervous and worried about it. 

So here are three things to try to help them prepare for results day:

• Make sure they relax and have fun. This will help to take their mind off everything. It may be that you have a holiday planned anyway, but if not, try to organise some other activities such as day trips, sleepovers with friends, BBQs, movie evenings etc.
• Take any available opportunity to let them know that you are there for them, and will be proud of them whatever happens. Don’t fall into the trap of comparing them to friends’ children and making them feel inadequate. Remember that teenagers can be insecure and sensitive and it is a very stressful time for them, even if they don’t show it.
• If you are worried about your son or daughter because they seem particularly stressed or anxious, try and get them a bit of help and support either from the school or college, friends, or specialist charities such as Childline.

How to support your son or daughter on results day

When the day itself arrives, do your best to be as helpful and supportive as possible, without making them feel crowded. Here are three ideas that may help:

• Give them a great start to the day by helping them to get up and about in good time and without rushing. If they enjoy breakfast, then make them their favourite. Stay calm and positive, and offer practical help such as lifts if needed..
• Check that they take everything with them that they need. For example:
• Some form of ID in case needed.
• A fully charged mobile phone.
• Some money.
• Pen and paper.
• For A-level students, details of Uni offers, contact details, and UCAS login details.
• Let them know that you have a lovely celebration planned for later, despite what the results are. Even if they do not get the results they were hoping for, this will help them to feel the support of the family and will help to build their confidence for the next step.

What happens after results day

Whatever results your son or daughter achieves, results day is the start of the next phase of their life. Here’s a quick guide for what should happen once they collect their results:

• A-level results day

If your son or daughter has applied to a university they will be able to see on their UCAS (University Admissions) account whether or not they have got onto one of their chosen university courses. In which case, they can get on with celebrating and look forward to heading off to Uni in September.

If they have not got the grades and do not now have a place at any of their chosen universities there are various actions they can take:

• Apply for another university course for September 2023 via UCAS Clearing;
• Retake their A-levels next summer and reapply for Uni entry in September 2024;
• Look for a non-degree course at a college instead;
• Find a traineeship or apprenticeship. Check out the National Careers Service Get the Jump website for more information;
• Go straight into full-time employment.

Your son or daughter needs to understand that there are still plenty of options available, and that you will support them while they take time to find the best one for them.

• GCSE results day

If your son or daughter achieves the grades they need for their chosen next step – such as 6th form college, apprenticeship or internship – they can look forward to this new start.

However, if they had planned to go to college but did not achieve the grades they need, the first thing to do is to speak to the college as soon as possible. The college may still either accept them for the courses they wanted, or be able to offer some good alternatives. It may also be worth looking at different colleges to see if there are still places available to do something similar.

Also check out the National Careers Service Get the Jump website for information on a range of options including apprenticeships, traineeships, internships, T-levels and VTQs, 

Another option could be for your son or daughter to resit one or more GCSEs and go to college next year instead. The school will be able to advise further on how to go about this.

We hope that this article gives you some useful information about how to prepare your son or daughter for results day and what to do on the day itself and afterwards. 

If at any stage you need some extra funds to help sort out the next step for your son or daughter, remember that Loans 2 Go offer emergency loans that may be able to help.

Do visit us here again soon for more lifestyle and financial tips from Loans 2 Go.