A levels 2023 - Results day and beyond

[HereWeGo2023]

Hi all. I thought I’d make a new thread as the countdown one is filling up.
Results day is here and I’m sure we will all value each others support, today and for the next stage of their journeys.

So sorry to hear about those experiencing difficult times today.

agree with those thinking how hard Covid has made it for this cohort.

we had a weird start. Dd had an unconditional uni offer, which is of course amazing. But her nerves were shot this morning. She’s worked so hard and wanted good grades. Had also convinced herself her unconditional would be withdrawn if she did badly! But, the envelope contained grades way beyond her predicted ones. She’s so made up and so are we. She’s been through so much and worked so hard.

sending love to all of you on such an emotional
day X

In terms of predicted grades, Ds got exactly what he was predicted ( 4 A stars), as did all his friends we’ve heard from. Private school, if it’s relevant, but spot on predictions and all staff and students knowing for a long time that they were working to 2019 boundaries. How are unis supposed to be able to tell an optimistic teacher’s prediction from a realistic one?

Pre-covid, it wasn't that unusual to see unis accepting students with massive grade drops- possibly not on this scale, but it was happening quite a bit. I expect unis will offer a bit more generously next year BUT I'd also like to see something brought in where the "standard offer" has to reflect the average grades of a student let onto a course in the previous year.

In some cases, I feel like unis give higher offers almost to encourage students to firm them, or to make their course look more popular/competitive than it is, but actually a proportion of those students every year aren't getting the grades.

Covid was obviously an exception, because grades were pretty massively inflated.

I don't know what results your DC received, but far better to sit back, recoup, think about what the longer term future ambitions are. It sounds, from what you say, that your DC may not be ready for university yet. THere's no harm in a gap year or two.

If I ruled the world, gap years would be compulsory - if only to allow hard-working pupils the chance to decompress & something else for a while.

For some PPs questioning predicted grades...

Head of 6th form was very surprised by todays results, even though DS and others made their offers, she said that as an example those today getting A instead of A-star and B instead of A were definitely better at the subjects than previous years students (ignoring covid effected years) that had the top grades. She cited a couple of students in particular and said she couldn't remember anyone brighter, more hard working etc, and couldn't believe others that came before them had better grades.

Sorry to hear from many that the day has been challenging and mixed - it does seem tricky to take when the kids have tolerated so much over the last few years!

From those who are teachers or previous admissions tutors, I’m after some advice pls. Would you bother remarking if your child is 1 mark off an A, when they’ve been lucky enough to secure their firm choice? DS was disappointed as it is the subject he’s doing at Uni and I think he would be good for his confidence if he were lucky to have the grade shifted upwards. Teachers have suggested asking for one paper to be remarked at a time. I presume if you’re one mark only off the A grade that the chances of the allocated B slipping to a C grade are slim indeed?! Or is it a risk to go down this route one paper at a time? And costly!!! Advice needed please. @poetryandwine i noticed your comment higher up.
Finally well done to all these resilient kids (and parents) and hopefully they will all come out the other side of this in a better place

It depends a lot on the subject, for something like chemistry/maths, I probably would- whereas for something essay based there is more risk of it dropping down to a C, I think.

Can the school view the papers first- do they think a mistake has been made?

Same here. Also did well in her mocks.

No idea what to do next.

My DD could/should have done so much better and now it seems she doesn’t have many options.

I’m not sure how it all works. We’ve just been told to fill in forms (and to pay) for a remark! No talk of teachers looking at the scripts first - can you request that?

Well done to everyone getting results…just getting through it all is an achievement!

To those asking about why the students haven’t achieved their pre Ted grades and why they are being let in by unis anyway…..to be honest, this is totally usual. As the government websites say, in usual years, only 20% achieve their predicted grade. It is common for the grades to be overly generous. And universities know this and over-offer and all except the very most competitive expect to take students with less than the ‘face value’ offer or to go to Clearing. Many would rather take someone who missed the offer and who firmed the university and wants to come, rather than take the risk if getting someone through clearing, who might never materialise, in that tiny window of the flurry of activity. They don’t know who else that candidate is ringing and if the candidate will definitely take the place…so a good bum in a seat is better than a slightly better bum that might never materialise…iykwim.

In the end, there are the usual amount of places available and regardless of what students get, unis will fill their places to attract their fees. It’s just demand and supply really.

It’s hard when these students haven’t sat exams before and take the predictions very seriously. However, it’s totally the norm that most don’t achieve them. The key thing, is these predictions allowed them to get the offers and they have then been accepted regardless of grades. So to everyone who was a bit disappointed but got their first or second choice anyway…that’s great overall.

Anyone who has missed out and doesn’t have an offer…..it’s always always worth ringing and doing it asap.

Things shake down in the next 36 hours. To those in a stressful listing - I feel for you…it’s so horrible. Hopefully, within 48 hours something will be sorted xx

Check the grade boundaries…we’re they close to grade above…how far above the grade below. Find out which paper was the weakest or most surprising one as that’s the one to put in for remark on.

Yes, can ask for scripts back and to be looked at by teacher…but that delays things esp if teacher won’t look until start of term. Priority remark (worth it if you’re v close to next grade up and far from grade below - as risk if going to lower grade is small) comes back within a week and unis will honour your offer if you then meet it.

Out of 17 I know (bog standard state comp) only one has totally missed any offers and is Clearing, one is on their insurance and the other 15 made their offers and are at first choices - 10+ of these at Russell Groups. So, wonder if private has been harder hit maybe with these bigger drops?

From here though does look like Unis are having to accommodate lower than expected results overall - it's not really surprising given they've never taken any exams like this before, I think the effect of no GCSE exams can't be underestimated

DS was in this position in 2019 - met his offer, but disappointed in his grade. He went for review of a single paper (which reduces the chance of dropping a grade) and that put him up. Decided not to get the others reviewed just in case that was reversed! That was in history, which is pretty unreliable in terms of marking. In my subjects (Science), where there is no urgency for the review because the place is confirmed, I'd suggest the school getting the papers back to review themselves, and then seeing if they think it's worth a review.

I think it might depend on the exam board but yes, in some cases you can.

I'd definitely ask them if they think there's any risk of the grade going down- it can happen, so if they say no, I'd be a bit wary.

Dd is at a Bucks Grammar school (so local kids and not super selective) and was predicted 2 x A stars and a B and achieved 2 x A stars and an A so fairly accurate. The school achieved 52% A / A stars and 80% A star - B. It’s results were better than 2019. Obviously as a selective school it’s results are higher then a non selective but there don’t appear to have been any massive surprises.

It’s concerning that there’s such disparity regarding predictions and achieved results amongst different schools.

DD2 predicted BBB. Had an offer from first choice of BBC (contextual so lower than standard) also had unconditional for insurance.

She was mightily relieved this morning to be offered 'another course' at first choice because she and we really didn't like insurance.
She cried in relief that she wouldn't feel compelled to go to insurance.
While waiting for first choice to tell her exactly what they offered, Swansea contacted her with an unconditional through clearing (she hadn't accepted their initial offer but had registered for clearing with them a few weeks ago.
She was over the moon knowing she'd be going somewhere she'd be happy.
Luckily first choice offered her an integrated foundation degree so she's taken that.
I'm frankly thrilled. Had tried to talk her into going for foundation anyway. She's 18 next week so almost has a year in hand.
DD1 went to her first choice and had other friends who did the foundation and they really benefited.
Weird to have two DC choosing the same uni though!!
DD1 graduated last year and had an amazing time.
So I'm a happy mummy today.
2019 was a different experience. Like many people on this thread DD1 was predicted 3 A's but got A B C so was rejected from first choice and was inconsolable.
Reluctantly accepted her insurance and here we are.
Two happy DDs

@WombatChocolate It’s OCR and PE. Was literally one mark overall off an A. 😬🤦‍♀️

Absolutely this …

@SlightlyJaded that’s so hard, I feel for you both

MCS Oxford 97% A-B: just incredible!

ACD here. The D wasn’t a total shocker, as a teacher was absent a lot and he felt that part of the course was definitely his weakest area. The A was a very pleasant surprise! (We’d decided it could be anything from BBB to DDD in reality.)

Anyway, he’s in to his firm choice, going to chat about shifting degree choice slightly- this was mentioned at the offer holder day as a fairly straightforward thing to do once they are there.

Pub for him tonight, followed by clubbing. Compulsory family dinner before that. I’m crashed out, ready to read in the garden.

Ds got his predicted grades from a state comp for RG university

I’m yet to ask about friends but a fair few heading to RG and a few to Cambridge

Well that didn't go as planned.

Dd was predicted 3 A stars
Got A star A B

Didn't get her firm and didn't get her insurance.
Firm was A star A A
Insurance was 3 A's
Despite getting equivalent points it was still a no.

6 marks off a A (3 points on each paper)

Going for a remark but not holding out much hope. First choice said if it changes to an A they would honour the offer and give her a place. Insurance said maybe

When choosing her insurance she really struggled between Sheffield and Newcastle. She went with Newcastle (I much preferred Sheffield but her choice)

Anyway she been offered a place doing law (her subject) at Sheffield!!! So after an absolutely horrific morning all is well.

I think that's really wise @mrsconradfisher I've taught undergrads who have wanted to do a different course, and it really takes them a long time to adjust and flourish. Sometimes they finish their degree still regretting their choice ...

On the other hand & more often, I've taught undergrads who've come into our course, from one they were pressured into but didn't want to study.

It really is true that students do best pursuing what they really want to do. Whatever the rest of us think about that.

Is there a possibility he could retake the subject whole doing a year of relevant working experience?

@MumblesParty abso fucking Lutly!!!