GCSE Results Day 2025
Here at IXL Tutors we wanted to wish you a happy GCSE results for those year 11 students who are collecting their GCSE results. This is a big milestone in your life and one to congratulate yourself on no matter what your results may be.
You may be sat wondering what to do with your results now that you have been building up to this day for two years. We wanted to give you a quick overview of what some of your options are, support that is available and what is next in your education journey.
Understand what your grade means
The first thing you need to do is understand what your grades are and what your next options can be.
Since 2017, GCSEs in England have used a 9–1 grading system:
- 9 is the highest grade
- 4 is considered a standard pass (like the old grade C)
- 5 is a strong pass
- 1–3 is below a pass
- U means ungraded
Sixth Form Colleges, Further Education Colleges and Apprenticeships may require certain grades in order to study with them, so it is worth checking them out on their websites or calling them.
Options
Sixth Form Colleges:
- Ideal if you want to go to university in the future
- Can be with your current school if they offer sixth forms
- Usually study 3–4 subjects over two years which can offer you a chance to explore different pathways
- Entry requirements vary, but most sixth forms ask for 5 GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English and maths
Further Education Colleges:
- Can specialise in a particular subject
- Offers a mix of vocational and BTEC courses (some may even offer A-Levels so do your research)
- Good for students who prefer subjects that have coursework assessments as opposed to full exams
- Can offer lower-level courses if you did not get the grades to study A-Levels
Apprenticeships
- Allows you to combine work and continued learning
- You can receive a wage whilst completing the Apprenticeship
- You apply for this who the employer who offers the Apprenticeship. This can involve a job search, interview and recruitment process.
- You can find more information on https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/
If you didn’t get the grades
If you didn’t get the grades that you go to study the course you wanted, apply for an apprenticeship or move to a college of your choice – do not worry.
- Talk to your school about a potenital re-mark
- Look for further courses to study alongside any resits
- Speak to a careers advisor, family or teachers
We do advise acting quickly as some courses or colleges may fill up quickly due to popularity
If you do have any questions for us, then please do get in contact with us and we will try to assist!
Have a great GCSE results day