Survival Guide To A-Level Results Day

Tomorrow is A-level Result's Day (August 14th) and we want to check that you're prepared for all eventualities. After months of hard work and revision, everything has been building up to this moment.

It's arguably one of the most pivotal days in your academic career; but the truth this, it isn't the end of the world if you don't get the grades you expected. To help you through tomorrow, here's our quick guide to surviving results day.

Be Organised

First and foremost, have everything you need for the morning. Track goes live at 8am, so be sure to have your Track login details at the ready. Have all the contact details you might need, including your university and clearing. Also check that your contact details are correct in case anybody needs to get in touch with you. It's important that you are available on results day as UCAS can’t discuss your application with anyone else (unless this has been previously confirmed).

Essential Checklist:

• UCAS Track login details
• Mobile phone
• Pen and paper
• University contact details

Your Results

So what next? Students can usually pick up their results from their school or college. If you've got the grades you wanted, great; Track will update your application to confirm whether you have been accepted by your firm or insurance choice university. Make sure you read your confirmation letter carefully to know the steps you need to take next. If you didn't receive the results you were hoping for; don’t panic. There are alternatives.

• Just missed out? Get in contact with the university; there's still a chance you could get accepted or offered an alternative course (which you'd need to accept or decline on Track). Otherwise you may be eligible for Clearing. For more information, check out the UCAS Guide to Clearing.
• Done better than expected? Again, speak to the university. Through Adjustment, you could potentially change your course to one that requires higher grades.
• Fancy taking a year out? If you've received your results and still aren't sure which route is best for you, why not take a gap year? Get in contact with your university and see if it’s possible to defer your offer until next year. In some cases, they allow this if the gap year is intended to support your studies or to gain further job experience.

Just the beginning

No matter what your results may be, this is just the beginning. It’s an exciting step in your career, whatever path you choose. So don’t worry about results day – get excited!

Good luck!