What happens if they retake A levels, where, anything we need to know?

[P0m3l0]

Just going through all the options before results day.

For my DS he studied by himself at home and retook the exams in his old school, which we paid for. Talk with your current school and see if they do the same.

If they’re hoping for uni, check that their preferred courses will accept resits. If not, might need a back up clearing option

You would need to check funding because ordinarily resits and retakes are only funded in exceptional circumstances. You can see the 16-19 funding regulations here.

If you retake an A level a year later and study for the year at home there is no guarantee you will do better plus the grade boundaries next year will be tighter than this year - back to 2019 levels. Your best option is it work with the grades your dc gains this year.

I work in Exams at a sixth form college. In my experience students who study from home and simply resit the exams with us (for which there is a cost) very rarely improve their grade significantly. Often they have lost interest /momentum by the time they get to actually take the exams again. Obviously not the case for some students though. Retaking their second year is much more likely to produce results.

As mentioned upthread some unis won't accept resit grades - though plenty will but you will need to do some research on that.

Fingers crossed your DC gets what they need. Good luck 🤞🏻

Helpful information. Thanks.

The grade boundaries this summer are easier ie lower, so grades should be slightly inflated over 2019.

Next year they're supposed to be tougher so grades lower than this year.

I've only just found out that no resits in November/January so DD would have to wait until May/June which wasn't what she was planning on (Plan C)...

A level exams are normally only in May/June, so yes you'd have to wait a year.

I'm looking at back up options too just in case he doesn't make his offer grades next week. A friend was telling me about remarks as an option in some situations.

Just to say remarks are actually a Review of Marking these days. Basically a senior examiner will check the script carefully - but it won't be remarked as such. It is really only worth doing if the paper is within a few marks off the higher grade. And it is VITAL that you get advice from the subject teacher. Worth requesting a priority copy of the script first for them to look - they should be able to judge whether it is worth going for a Review.

Also it is possible for a grade to go down after a Review. Doesn't often happen but worth bearing in mind. And is gutting when it happens.

The exams team at your school/college will be able to give you plenty of information on the whole process. They will be very happy to help.

Finally It is very unusual these days for marks to change - the whole process was shaken up some years ago. Last time we did proper exams barely any grades changed (maybe two out of 50ish applications).

As noted upthread the grade boundaries this year are SUPPOSED to be kinder than the year before the TAG and CAG years. Fingers crossed!!