What Happens If You Fail Your GCSEs?: 5 Options

In my experience as a teacher and tutor of GCSE maths and science, there are many common reasons why students fail their GCSE exams. These reasons include exam day nerves, missing an exam, not revising effectively, running out of time in the exam, not accessing available support, to name just a few. 

Don’t panic if you fail your GCSEs: your grades do not define you as a person, and there are plenty of options available to you to either retake your GCSEs or to move on to bigger and better things. 

This article will help you understand what happens if you fail your GCSEs, what your options are, how to increase your chances of success in the future, and how to avoid failing in the first place. 

What actually happens if you fail your GCSEs?

If you get a grade below a 4 in either maths or English, it is generally the case that you will need to retake these in some way. There are different options available depending on what you want to do next. These options include resits, retaking the subject, functional skills courses, alternative qualifications and apprenticeships. 

If you get a grade 4 or higher in any GCSE subject, that is considered a pass. Generally, you need 5 GCSEs at a grade 4 or above, including English and maths, for college, sixth form, university, and employment. If you achieve these grades, then generally speaking, that is all you need to progress to the next step.

However, you may require specific GCSE grades to take a subject for A Level at some schools and colleges. For example, you may need a grade 4 in geography to take geography at A Level. You may need a grade 5 or higher in your chemistry GCSE to study chemistry at A Level. Or you may need a grade 5 or higher in maths to study A Level physics. If you’re unsure, talk to your further education provider to check the entry requirements for the courses you’re interested in. 

Your options

1. Resit GCSE subjects

You can usually resit GCSE maths and English in the November exam season at your school or college. Other subjects may hold resits either in November or the summer of the following year. 

You may be able to resit your GCSE exams for free depending on the subject, the school or college, and the grade you were previously awarded. Check with your school or college whether there are fees involved in resitting your chosen subjects.

2. Retake GCSE subjects alongside further education

Many colleges and sixth forms will allow you to take A Levels or further education courses the following year, as long as you retake the required GCSEs alongside them. This will involve adding GCSE classes to your timetable and retaking the GCSE exams. Talk to your school or college to find out if this could be an option for you.

3. Take functional skills as part of your further education

If you didn’t get a grade 4 in maths or English, functional skills courses are available at colleges and as part of apprenticeships. Functional skills courses cover the essential sections of GCSE maths and English required to succeed in the workplace. They are less demanding than full GCSEs and in some cases the assessment can be taken online. These courses are a great option for students who struggled with the GCSE course content or students who found the actual exam experience very stressful. 

4. Study an equivalent qualification as part of your further education

There are many A Level alternatives and equivalent qualifications you can take, including:

BTEC Diplomas

Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC) diplomas are work-related qualifications that specialise in a particular field. From applied science to construction to performing arts, there are a wide range of courses available at different levels. 

Level 2 BTEC diplomas are equivalent to GCSEs, Level 3 BTEC diplomas are equivalent to A Levels, Level 4 and 5 BTEC diplomas are equivalent to the first 2 years of undergraduate study. This means you can become highly qualified by following the BTEC route. 

There are also apprenticeships available, so you can work and study at the same time. BTEC Diplomas start at entry level (Level 1), so you can access these courses without GCSEs. Take a look at the UCAS or Pearson websites to find out more.

NVQs

National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) are job role-specific qualifications. From catering to plumbing to administration and management, there are a wide range of courses specific to different sectors and industries. 

Level 2 NVQs are equivalent to GCSEs, Levels 3 NVQs are equivalent to A Levels, and you can go right up to a Level 7 NVQ, which is equivalent to a postgraduate Masters Degree. 

NVQs start at entry level (Level 1), so you can access these courses without GCSEs. Take a look at the UCAS or City & Guilds websites for more information.

T Levels

Technical Levels (T Levels) are A Level equivalent qualifications that combine classroom learning with practical experience. One T Level is equivalent to three A Levels and includes a 45-day industry placement. 

Most T Level courses require maths and English GCSEs at grade 4 or higher for entry. They do offer a one-year transition course which includes maths and English GCSEs and prepares you for your chosen T Level course. 

From education and early years to healthcare science and legal services, there are a range of T Level courses for you to explore. Check out the T Level website for more information.

5. Learn while you earn with an apprenticeship program

Apprenticeship programs are a great way to access the world of work, with the added bonus of being paid while you train. Apprenticeships are generally 80% on the job and 20% study, usually at a college. 

Apprenticeships can last between one and six years, depending on the level of study. Level 2 is equivalent to GCSEs, Level 3 is equivalent to A Level, you can even go as far as Level 7 which is equivalent to a postgraduate Masters Degree. You could become an apprentice chef, dental nurse, teaching assistant, or electrician. There are many roles available. 

The entry requirements are dependent upon the employer and the level of the apprenticeship. In general, for a Level 2 apprenticeship, you do not need any qualifications; maths and English functional skills will be offered as part of your study. For more information, take a look at the apprenticeships website.

Support available for students who fail their GCSEs

You have the option to appeal your result

If you feel that your awarded GCSE grade for a particular subject is unfair, you can appeal your result. This involves getting a second examiner to mark your paper and check if they agree with the grade awarded. 

If you choose this option, be aware that your grade may go up or down. It’s possible that you may lose or gain a few marks, and those marks might tip you over the grade boundary by one grade in either direction. You may also have to pay a fee if your grade isn’t changed to cover the costs of the second marking.

Talk to a careers adviser

You may have a careers adviser based within your school that you can talk to, or you can call the National Careers Service helpline to get advice on your next steps. 

Talk to a teacher

Your teachers know you well, and they know what you are capable of. It can be helpful to talk to a teacher for advice and guidance to help you decide whether you should resit or move on. 

Talk to a tutor

Talking to a private tutor is a good way to gauge the amount of work you would need to do to get from where you are in your subject to where you need to be to pass. Tutors have an in-depth understanding of their subjects and are often very knowledgeable about the exam process. Tutors often give the first session for free, so you can discuss your learning journey and assess if this route is right for you.

Talk to friends and family

Keeping your feelings inside can lead to isolation and spirals of negative thinking. It really does help to share your worries with someone you trust. You may find that someone you know has dealt with a similar issue, and it can be encouraging to hear how they navigated the situation. You don’t have to deal with this alone.

Talk to a mental health professional

If you find you’re really struggling to feel positive, or you don’t have someone you can talk to, reach out to a mental health professional for support. You can find information about mental health support at Young Minds, Mind, via your GP or mental health nurse at your local doctor’s surgery. 

Explore support options if you have learning difficulties

There is support available to you for your exams if you have special educational needs. You may be able to apply for extra time, breaks, coloured paper, a computer, or even someone to read or write for you. These are officially called reasonable adjustments. 

Talk to the SENCO at your school for advice if you think this may apply to you. Alternatively, you can find information on the IPSEA website or the government website.

Successful people who failed their GCSEs

If you’ve failed one or more of your GCSEs, you’re in good company. Many famous and successful people have failed their GCSEs. 

Richard Branson, owner of Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Galactic, left school with no O Levels (the older style GCSEs). Now he’s a billionaire building space rockets for tourists.

Alan Sugar, of the TV show The Apprentice, left school with one O Level. Now he’s a Lord, a reality TV star and a billionaire.

Simon Cowell, music mogul and star of the X-Factor and Britain’s Got Talent, left school with just one O Level. Now he’s a household name and a multi-millionaire. 

Robbie Williams famously failed all his GCSEs and went on to be a pop superstar in the band Take That and as a solo artist. He even has a Netflix documentary about him.

Masie Williams, from Game of Thrones, left school with no GCSEs and then starred in one of the biggest TV shows of all time. 

Scarlett Moffatt, star of Gogglebox and winner of I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here, took three tries to pass her GCSE Maths. She didn’t give up, and she succeeded in the end. 

The thing all these successful people have in common is that they found a way to make it work. They adapted to the circumstances they found themselves in, and they didn’t give up. 

The experience of failing in itself can actually be a superpower if you use it in the right way. You know what went wrong before, so you can fix it for next time. 

Maybe you ran out of time in the exam, maybe you didn’t revise enough, maybe you were too tired on the day, or the anxiety overwhelmed you; whatever it was, you can prepare for it in the future. 

The feelings you experience after failing at something you wanted can fuel your determination, in the same way that being told you cannot do something only makes you want to do it all the more. Try to find the positive in your experience and use it to drive you on.

Frequently asked questions

Does it matter if you fail your GCSEs?

Yes and no. Obviously, it's better not to fail and you should do everything within your control to ensure this doesn’t happen. If you get the GCSEs you are aiming for, you have more choices when it comes to deciding on the next steps. 

Retaking GCSEs or starting a further education qualification from Level 1 instead of Level 2 means extra hours on your timetable or a further year of study, which is not ideal. Prevention is always better than cure. However, failing a GCSE is a problem that is entirely fixable, so, in a wider sense, it’s not that big of a deal.

Can you still get a job if you fail your GCSEs?

Absolutely. You will need a GCSE or functional skills qualification in English and maths for most jobs, particularly while you are young. But as you get older and gain more experience in the workplace, that experience is valued more than your GCSE results.

Is my life over if I fail my GCSEs?

Absolutely not. Take inspiration from the likes of Robbie Williams and Simon Cowell, who both failed their GCSEs and went on to make it big in their chosen field. Use the experience as an opportunity to think about what you really want in life, and if you don’t know the answer to that question, make a plan to try to find out. 

You can do volunteer work, find a summer job, ask to shadow someone you know. Get out there in the world and figure it out. Most people find their answer by learning what they don’t want to do. There is no ‘right’ way, no ‘one’ path. Follow what you are interested in and take the opportunities that come your way.

How many students leave school with no GCSEs?

Unfortunately, the number of students leaving school with no GCSEs has increased significantly since the COVID pandemic, but it is still a tiny percentage (less than 0.5% in 2023). And there are still many opportunities out there for these students, such as BTECs, NVQs, T Levels and apprenticeships. 

What happens if you fail your GCSEs twice?

Nothing. You can take a GCSE exam as many times as you want or need to. Look at Scarlett Moffatt, who sat her GCSE maths three times before passing. I used to tutor adult learners who were taking their GCSEs in their 30s and 40s. There is no time limit, and no maximum number of tries. However, you will have to pay for the exams if you sit them as a private candidate (if you are not at school or on a college course).

How do employers view failed GCSEs?

That depends on the employer and the job you are going for. The more specialised the role, the more it tends to matter. The steeper the competition for the role, the more it could matter. If you are hoping to go to Oxford University or Medical School, then a failed GCSE doesn’t look great. But for most employers, it's not a big deal as long as you meet the base requirements of 5 GCSEs at grade 4 or above which include maths and English, or some other equivalent qualifications. 

Employers look at much more than your grades when they are hiring for a role. Your communication skills, your ability to think on your feet and adapt, your problem-solving skills, being able to work well with other people, relevant experience, and good character references are all generally more important than your grades.

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References

Apprenticeships: About apprenticeships

Apprenticeships: Become an apprentice

Apprenticeships: Career starter apprenticeships

BBC Radio One Advice: 7 stars who nailed Plan B when Plan A didn’t work out

Birmingham Live: 5 successful celebrities who didn't get GCSEs but went on to make millions

City and Guilds: Functional Skills Maths, English & Digital

City & Guilds: National and Scottish Vocational Qualifications

Forbes: Richard Branson

Forbes: Simon Cowell

Gov.UK: Appeal against a GCSE, AS or A level grade or the result of a qualification

Gov.UK: Reasonable adjustments

Gov.UK: Careers helpline for teenagers

HM Government: T Levels

HM Government: T Level Subjects

IPSEA: Help in exams

Manchester Evening News: BBC The Apprentice: What is Sir Alan Sugar's net worth?

Mind: Useful contacts for 11-18 year old

Mirror Online: Robbie Williams on poignant coincidence behind exam failure and joining Take That

National Careers Service: Exam Resists

Pearson: What is a BTEC?

Schools Week: Thousands more kids leaving school without GCSE grades ‘new norm’

UCAS: BTEC Diplomas

UCAS: NVQs

Young Minds: Help and advice

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