By Vanessa Clarke
Education reporter
Exams season is beginning for hundreds of thousands of GCSE students in England, Northern Ireland and Wales.
Here is everything you need to know.
When are 2024’s GCSE exam dates?
The GCSE summer exam period begins on Thursday 9 May, and finishes at the end of June.
The exact dates of your exams will depend on which company (AQA, Pearson, OCR, WJEC, CCEA) your school is using. Here is a helpful BBC Bitesize guide.
What happens if I miss an exam due to illness?
If you are unwell on the day of your exam, you should contact your school or college as soon as possible.
You will be asked to fill out a form for your school or college to request “special consideration” from your exam board.
When is GCSE results day 2024?
GCSE results will come out on Thursday, 22 August.
In England, GCSEs are now graded using a numerical system from 9-1, rather than A-E as was previously the case.
Students need a 4 for a “standard pass” and 5 for a “strong pass”.
In Wales and Northern Ireland, GCSEs are graded using letters, unless an exam taken in those nations comes under an English exam board.
Image source, Getty Images
In England, students in maths, physics, and combined-science exams will be allowed to use formulae and equation sheets for the final time
What will the grade boundaries be?
Grade boundaries show the minimum number of marks you need for each grade.
They are decided by examiners and published on results day.
Qualification Wales, which oversees Welsh exams, has said there is still a risk that performance in some subjects has not fully recovered since the pandemic.
So, it will use statistics to help set the grade boundaries, to prevent marks dropping below 2019 levels.
In England and Northern Ireland, the way boundaries are decided has returned to normal.
Only one change remains in place this year.
Ofqual, England‘s exam regulator, has said students in maths, physics, and combined-science exams are allowed to use formulae and equation sheets for the final time. This will not be allowed in 2025.
How can I appeal against GCSE results?
If you are unhappy with your grade, you should first talk to your school or college about having it remarked.
Your school will contact the exam board on your behalf and ask for your marks to be reviewed.
If you still think you have been unfairly graded after a review, you can ask your school or college to appeal.
If you are still not satisfied, you can request a review from Ofqual.
The charity YoungMinds says results are not the only measure of success – and if things do not turn out as you had hoped, there are lots of other ways to help you achieve your goals.
In 2023, exam results returned to pre-pandemic levels
What if I fail a GCSE exam?
You can resit any GCSE exam the following academic year.
The resits for GCSE maths and English, which are both mandatory subjects, take place from 5 November.
If you want to explore this option, you should speak to your school about the best course of action.
What happens next?
Under-18s must remain in official education or training. You may choose to stay in full-time education, start an apprenticeship, or work while studying part-time.
Many pupils go on to study A-levels. International Baccalaureate (IB) is also an option.
There are also a range of vocational courses you could take, such as National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs), BTec Level 3s, TechBacs, Cambridge Technicals and (in England only) T-levels.
You could also consider an apprenticeship. Apprentices get paid a salary, as they spend 80% of their time in the workplace while being trained.
The National Careers Service has more information about your options.
When are exams in Scotland?
Scotland has a different qualification system, with Nationals, instead of GCSEs, and Highers, which are similar to A-levels.
National 5 exams have already started and will finish at the end of May.
And results day in Scotland is Tuesday 6 August.
