Thousands of pupils across the UK will collect their GCSE results on Thursday, August 21, 2026, and consider their next steps after sitting exams earlier in the summer. Most students will go to schools to collect their results, where they can speak to teachers and staff about what to do next if their results aren't as good as they hoped.
Although many students will be able to access results online for the first time this year, the Department for Education is encouraging pupils to go to schools if they can. The Education Record app has been rolled out to a number of schools following a successful trial in Manchester in 2025, but results will be handed out by schools before they are updated online.
When and What Time Are GCSE Results Released?
GCSE results day takes place on Thursday, August 21. Results will be made available to schools on Wednesday and available to collect from your school from 8am on Thursday morning. Schools will issue their own guidance on how and when students can collect results.
Results will update online on the Education Record app at 11am.
GCSE Grade Boundaries for 2026
GCSE grade boundaries are not fixed from one year to the next, with exam boards deciding where they should fall once marking is almost complete. Official grade boundaries will be published by exam boards including AQA, Pearson Edexcel, OCR, CCEA and WJEC on results day.
What Do the GCSE Number Grades Mean?
In England, GCSEs are graded from 9 to 1. The highest grade of 9 is above the old A* as a 'super grade'. A U means a qualification is 'ungraded' and is the lowest possible result. Grade 4 is considered a standard pass and the equivalent to a low grade C on the former letter-based system. Grade 5 or above is considered a 'strong pass'.
Students who receive a grade 3 or below in GCSE maths or English language will generally have to continue studying the subject. The grading system is different elsewhere in the UK. Wales continues to use grades from A to G*, while Northern Ireland also uses letter grades, including the C* grade introduced in 2019.
How to Resit GCSE Exams
Maths and English GCSE resit exams take place in November for both AQA and Pearson Edexcel. To resit any other subject, students must wait until the standard annual exam dates in May or June next year.
Many schools, colleges and sixth form centres will allow students to resit their exams for free in the following year from their first attempt, if the grade was below a 4. For those who passed with a Grade 4 or above, or those wanting to take resits independently, there is likely to be a charge of between £75 to £500 depending on the subject and where the exam is taken.
