What a turbulent week we have had in the world of education! Firstly we had controversial A-level results, then a stressful period until the Government’s U-turn and now record GCSE results. It is a lot to take in for students, parents and schools. It is important to take time to process this information and to decide what it means for you and for your future. If you didn’t get your desired grades and are at the stage of deciding whether to re-sit your GCSEs or A-levels, this article discusses the potential advantages and disadvantages of re-taking your exams this autumn.
1. Opportunity to achieve your true grades
Predicted grades are often based on the previous mock results. Students tend not to take mock exams as seriously and can therefore underperform in them. This is used as a method of identifying the areas in which a student needs to improve the most. Pupils who want to succeed in their exams will learn from their mocks and find ways to increase their performance.
Unfortunately, in this unprecedented year, students missed out on the opportunity to sit their exams. How can anyone truly know what grades they would have achieved if they had sat the exams? There are so many different factors at play and it is difficult to predict. If you think that you worked hard and your grade is not a true reflection of your subject knowledge, then go for it and prove everyone that you can get a better grade.
2. Experience of sitting exams
Sitting exams is a skill which comes with a lot of practice. It allows a student to develop study techniques, including applying your knowledge, answering exam questions and managing your time. If you an A-level student, your most recent experience was sitting GCSEs. If you are a GCSE student, then your next experience will be sitting your A-levels at the end of sixth form. All in all, this leaves you with limited experience doing exams. Therefore, it could be worthwhile to re-take one or two exams to obtain the relevant study skills, which will be invaluable to your future education.
3. Strengthening your future UCAS application
With many deferrals this year, the competition for university places will continue to increase in the next couple of years. If you think you can achieve higher GCSE or A-level grades in your exams at this stage, then re-taking them is going to strengthen your future UCAS application and CV. You could also re-sit your exams and re-apply to universities with your better grades.
4. Going to university is not going to be the same experience
Remember that we are still living through a pandemic. To minimise the chance of spreading the virus, universities have moved most of their lectures online and students will be assigned to social bubbles. University social life will simply not be the same. It might be a good idea to wait a year out for universities to return to normal. In the process, you could improve your A-level grades, do some extra work experience or strengthen your UCAS application.
5. Extra work
Although there are many advantages to re-sitting your GCSE or A-level exams, you will undoubtedly have to do extra work. A-level re-sits are in October and May/June and GCSE re-sits are in November. You need to decide whether you are prepared to put in the work required to achieve your desired grades. It will be even harder if you are simultaneously starting your A-levels. However, with the right support from your school, appropriate private tuition and a structured revision programme, it is possible to achieve the grades you deserve. The decision is yours!
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