Poor A Level Grades

If someone has not managed to get the A level results they expected this can cause problems with any university courses they have accepted or with career opportunities.

There are six main options to anyone who has not achieved the results they expected to. These are as follows:

Attempt to Continue with Chosen Options
If the are exam results are slightly below expectations then the chosen university or employer may still accept the candidate. The important action to take is to contact them as soon as possible to find out where you stand. Be prepared to offer extra reasons as to why you should still be allowed to join the university or take the job.

If your chosen university will not take you then you should also use this opportunity to discuss possibilities for the next annual intake as this will help you decide whether or not to retake exams or move on to something different.

Clearing
After A level results have been announced there are still a large number of university places still available. In fact around 30,000 places a year are allocated through the clearing process. Clearing is simply the name given to the process of matching students to available place after A level results. University vacancies are advertised in newspapers and on the University and Colleges Admissions System (UCAS) website. Clearing lasts from when exam results are published until around the middle of September each year.

Obviously if you use Clearing you are likely to end up at a different university than planned. You will still need to think carefully about any new options in order to choose the best course and location for you. It may be helpful to read through the Parenting.co.uk to: Choosing a University.

Resits
If you have looked at clearing and decided there is not an option that really appeals to you or you wish to improve your results before joining university the following year then resitting your exams is an option. Again it is important to act quickly to see if places exist at your old school or six form college. It may also be beneficial to consider a new school or college to study at. Resists can normally be taken in January as well as the following summer.

Alternative Qualifications
There are a very wide range of different subjects you can study as GNVQs, BTECs, or NVQs, modern apprenticeships or City and Guilds. These qualifications can act as a first step on a career path or help you to gain a university place at a later date.

Start Work
It is possible that when you look at your A level results you feel you have had enough of full time education for now. If this is the case or if it is at least something you would like to consider then it is likely to be worth seeking careers advice. Although you may not feel like it at the time it can also be a good idea to seek out evening classes in order to improve your grades. This is likely to have a long term beneficial effect on your chosen career.

Take a Gap Year
If you do decide to take a gap year then it is important to get up and running as soon as possible. It is surprising just how quickly time can slip by when you are having fun. Keep an eye on perspective long term employment when you consider what to undertake during your year off. The more productive you can be during the year the better the opportunities you are likely to have in the long run.

Keep in mind as well that people often find it very hard returning to full time education after a gap year and many people find it easier to start a university course straight away.

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