Results day can be an overwhelming experience. It may bring shock, disappointment and unanswered questions if the worst happens and you fail your A Levels. In this situation, you need to consider your next steps. Despite the situation, you are not alone, and you still have options.
Many students don't achieve the A-Level grades they were hoping for on results day. This doesn't mean their plans are over, such as the prospect of university, but it does make things more complicated, and you need to plan the immediate future carefully with the right information. These options include appealing or resitting your A Levels, going through clearing if you didn't get the grades for your university offer, or considering alternatives to university.
This guide walks you through your options step by step. It's important to remember that one set of results does not define you, and you can still move forward successfully with confidence.
This guide explains your options in a step-by-step manner. Whether you’re deciding what to do next week or planning for the year ahead, the most important thing to remember is this: one set of results does not define you, and with the right support, you can still move forward with confidence. If you are considering tutoring support, TeachTutti provide bespoke tuition with DBS-checked tutors.
Don’t panic and rush decisions
It's easy to panic when you get your A Level results. It's a period of time when events move quickly for many students, such as acceptance to their chosen university. Don't assume that your options have closed, and try to slow things down before deciding how to proceed.
Many students who think they have failed later find out they still have several options. Universities, colleges and exam boards are aware of the importance of this moment in your future. They allow time to review results and consider your future.
Remember that you have support. Before making a decision, talk first with a teacher, a parent/guardian or loved one, or someone else you trust. Taking a calm and measured approach will help you make the right choice, whether this is getting a remark, resitting your A Levels to get the grades you need for university, or having a gap year.
Check your A Level results
It sounds obvious, but check your results carefully. If you didn't get the grades you hoped for, it can be tempting not to look at the results that are causing you upset. However, examining your results in detail can reveal the options available to you. Grades are not always as final as they appear, and marks can change, especially if you are near a grade boundary.
Discuss your mark breakdown with your school or college to determine your next steps. The two immediate routes you can take from this analysis are remarking and appeals.
Remarking
A remark is a formal request for your exam paper to be reviewed. It will be sent back to the exam board directly and checked. The paper won't be re-marked from scratch, but it is checked thoroughly to make sure the marks add up correctly, and the grading guidelines were followed by the examiner.
This is the remarking process:
- Speak with your school or exams office. They will request a review of marking from the exam board
- A different examiner will check your paper
- Your mark can go up, down, or remain the same
It is a useful tool when your marks are close to the next grade boundary. Remarking is generally more effective in subjects that have written or essay-based answers, where the answer is subject, and judgment plays a role in the marking.
You normally need to pay a fee for remarking. Sometimes, your school will cover this charge if your grade is revised upwards.
Appeals
They sound the same, but an appeal is not the same as a remark. An appeal focuses specifically on whether the exam process was handled correctly. You can't appeal just because you didn't get your required grades.
You are eligible for an appeal if:
- Exam rules weren't followed correctly
- There was an administrative error
- Special circumstances for your exam weren't applied correctly
To appeal your A Level results, the school or college you attend will have to submit evidence to the exam board. The evidence depends on the reason for the appeal, such as records of illness, disruption that happened during the exam, or mistakes in how the assessment was managed.
An appeal normally takes longer than remarking. The outcome is not guaranteed and depends on the strength of your challenge, including the evidence provided.
Go to university through clearing
If you want to go to university but didn't quite get the grades needed, clearing allows a route to enrol. Clearing is a system targeted at students applying to university courses after results day, when they don't have a confirmed place.
Clearing opens in early July each year, running until mid-October. For 2026, you can use the UCAS Clearing search tool from 2 July. Lots of universities will list the courses that still have available spaces. Students need to contact them directly to discuss what entry requirements universities accept.
This is the typical clearing process:
- Check the courses that are available through clearing
- Contact the universities and courses you're interested in to see if they will consider your grades
- You will be given a verbal offer if the university accepts your application
- You need to add this course and the university as your clearing choice
Many universities take part in UCAS clearing. When there are still places to fill, they may accept grades lower than originally advertised. You should contact several institutions about your preferred course, as entry requirements are likely to vary widely in this process.
While clearing is an important tool, you need to remain realistic about your options. Course availability will likely be limited, and popular subjects will be booked up quickly. If you're committed to clearing, you need to be careful but move quickly. Be prepared to be flexible about the location and course.
Resit your A Levels
Many students decide to retake their A Levels when they don't get the grades they received. This is particularly the case if they narrowly missed their offers, or were already considering a gap year and decided to do both.
Students approach a retake at an advantage. They already know the course content, exam format, and where they struggled. This helps them to avoid repeating the same mistakes. They will also have more time to prepare for their exams.
A retake normally takes place during the following academic year. This can be done through your school or college, or as a private candidate using an exam centre. They take place during the summer exam series in May to June. You can retake as many subjects as you want.
Support can be a key difference between a successful retake and a disappointing result. Structured guidance can help you make a plan and revise effectively, so that you strengthen weak topics and build confidence when you resit your exams. TeachTutti provide personalised tuition to give students the focus and preparation they didn't have the first time. Follow the link to learn how tuition works with TeachTutti.
Take a Gap Year
A gap year is a great idea if you failed your A Level exams and need time to consider your next steps. It can take time to recover emotionally from results day, and it's hard to shake the feeling that it is the end of the world, especially when all your friends are making key choices. A gap year gives you time to take a step back, reflect, and decide without pressure.
Some people see a gap year negatively. It doesn't mean doing nothing. Some students use it to gain work experience, earn money to fund their next step, volunteer, or develop practical skills. Others may use it in part to retake A Levels.
Another benefit is a break from full-time study, which increases significantly in intensity from year 10 when GCSE preparation begins. This is especially true after a difficult results day. It is easy to feel pressure to follow the crowd in going to university through clearing, and it can give clarity on whether this is the right route for you.
If you decide on a gap year, it's a good idea to plan out the year. This does not have to be detailed, and you can give yourself flexibility. Setting clear goals ensures the year is productive, such as preparing for retakes or planning a country to visit after raising money to fund your studies.
Get the right support
If you decide to try again after disappointing results, you should consider changing your approach. This includes getting the right support in place.
One-to-one tutoring can help you address weaknesses in specific topics for your subjects. You can also ask questions freely and work with the tutor in a way that suits you, rather than in a classroom learning.
A good tutor will also build your confidence by developing your exam technique and revision planning, attributes that will serve you later in your academic journey. Confidence, in particular, can be a key issue in exam performance for students. Having a clear plan and a trusted individual guiding you through the syllabus can help to reduce stress.
If you are considering tutoring options, it's best to reach out early. It may take time to find the right tutor and build up to your exam. You can always return to the tutor at a later date if you don't need to start preparation yet for your examinations.
Failing a specific subject
One or more subjects may pose a greater challenge than others. Failing one subject may be a reflection of the difficulty of the course, rather than a reflection of your own ability.
Subjects like Maths, Physics, and other STEM A Levels are commonly failed. They build quickly on topics covered earlier in the syllabus, leaving it harder to cover gaps in understanding as teachers work through the curriculum.
These are some of the reasons you may struggle with a subject:
- A poor understanding of core topics
- Despite knowing the course content, you struggle to apply this knowledge in exams
- Poor exam technique or time management
- Lack of confidence
Having targeted support can make a big difference by focusing on problem areas, as opposed to going through the entire course again from scratch. If you need support with STEM subjects, TeachTutti has qualified Maths A Level tutors and verified Physics A Level tutors. Every tutor has an enhanced DBS check and can offer bespoke tuition in person or virtually using the TeachTutti learning platform.
Alternative routes
Academic exams and studying at university are not the right fit for everyone, such as if you prefer "hands-on" practical experience to classroom-based learning. There are other routes that you can take, which may play better to your strengths, interests, and learning style.
Vocational qualifications and foundation courses
A vocational course focuses on practical skills and coursework. Your options include BTEC (Business and Technology Education Council) or foundation courses, which can lead to further study or eventual employment. For example, a Diploma in Jewellery Manufacturing.
Universities sometimes provide foundation years, which is an extra year of study (often called "Year 0"). This is before the main degree, and is designed for students who don't fit the direct entry requirements. It helps you to build subject knowledge and can be useful if you are close to meeting the criteria for entry, but need extra support.
Apprenticeships
You can earn money while doing an apprenticeship. It combines paid work with structured study, letting you earn a wage while learning practical skills and receiving a qualification.
The route is a good fit for students who want to learn on the job and gain real work experience. They are available in lots of industries, including engineering, business, IT, healthcare, and creative industries.
Apprenticeships focus on skills, attitude, and commitment from the application. The entry requirements vary depending on the apprenticeship, and may still require specific grades.
Take a different direction
Some students may choose to step away from formal education altogether. This could be permanent or for a period of time. They may prefer to start working, volunteering, or developing skills independently, such as becoming self-employed.
Taking a different direction is a valid choice, but planning is more important than other options, where you typically have a framework to follow. It's a good idea to set goals and keep future options in mind, so that striking out on your own avoids closing doors.
Final thought - Next steps if you fail your A Levels
Failing your A Levels is a major shock, but it doesn't have to be defining for your future. Many people who struggled at this stage succeeded by choosing a route that suited them. For example, the inventor James Dyson, behind the Dyson vacuum cleaners, failed key exams and was rejected by several institutions before finding success.
What matters is making the choice that gives you the best opportunity to move forward, whether this is university through a gap year, retaking your A Levels, taking a gap start, starting a vocational course, or taking a different path.
Don't feel pressured into making a decision, and never give up. Stay calm and learn your options, getting the right guidance along the way. There is no single "correct" route, and the end of A Levels signals a time when the future of each branch out in their own specific direction.
If you are considering tutoring support for A Level resits, TeachTutti have qualified tutors in a wide range of subjects. Follow the link to explore the subjects taught by experienced tutors at TeachTutti.
