What to do if you're unhappy with your grades

If you're unhappy with your GCSE grades, your first step should be to discuss the situation with your school or college. They will contact the relevant exam board to review your marks. If a review doesn't satisfy you, you can appeal to the exam board. If you're still not content, you may request a review through your school by Ofqual in England, CCEA in Northern Ireland, or Qualifications Wales.

Following the release of GCSE results on Thursday 20 August at 08:00 BST, students in England can also access their results through the Education Record app, which sends grades directly to their phones at 11:00. Wales and Northern Ireland typically distribute results by schools and colleges. In England, GCSEs are graded on a numerical system from 9-1, while students need a grade 4 or above in maths and English to progress to further study.

GCSE results are usually distributed through schools and colleges in Wales and Northern Ireland. In England, GCSEs are graded numerically from 9-1, whereas students require a 4 for a standard pass and a 5 for a strong pass. In Wales and Northern Ireland, letters are used for grading unless an exam is managed by an English exam board.

Grade boundaries, indicating the minimum marks required for each grade, are determined by examiners and published on results day. After passing GCSEs, you must continue with education, training, or apprenticeships until you're 18. Many students then move on to A-levels, IB, or vocational courses like NVQs, BTec Level 3s, TechBacs, Cambridge Technicals, and T-levels.

Apprenticeships pay a salary while you gain workplace training. If you reside in Scotland, you'll receive results through an online app, with results day on Tuesday 4 August 2026.