stupid question about AS exam certificates

[gingeroots]

Ok - DC has just received in post certificates for Physics and Chemistry AS level.
They have wording to effect " for exam sat in Jan 2010 " .
I'm slightly puzzled as the grades quoted don't reflect the units taken in July .
I'm assuming that a second set of AS certificates will arrive in the autumn with different grades .
But is my assumption correct ???
I find it all so complicated - back in my day ( aged crone emoticon ) we took A levels and got a grade .
I find it sooo confusing - taking units early ,resitting some .
Oh and does anyone know if the practical unit can be resat in Biology ?

Am begining to panic ,thinking if certificates have been sent ,then exams must be "cashed in " .
And thinking that the units taken in July won't count .
Oh grr - wish I understood this stuff .
Anyone help ?

Wehn DD1 took Physics and Chemistry As modules in January she got told the results a few weeks kater but didn't actually get anything on Paper until August which was after her june exams and all the rusults were combined to give into a final result,

I don't think you receive the certificates until you decide to cash them in. DS took ASs last summer, retook one in January and progressed to A2 in 3 this summer. Don't think we have received any certificates yet.

I'm not sure that I understand the significance of " cashing in " .
Is it something to do with what is apparent on an UCAS applicvation form ?
I feel really stupid asking these questions ,but can anyone help ?

Re 'cashing in'. I think it's the case that if you certificate the exam (ie cash it in) then the grade goes on the UCAS form. If you don't, then only a predicted final grade goes on the form. This predicted grade can be significantly higher than the actual AS grade, as teachers will take into account probable January re-sit marks.