Students unhappy with their A-level results can resit their exams, but under the current system they must wait a full year and retake the entire qualification, with costs varying depending on where they study.
How to retake A-levels
If you have failed your exams and wish to resit them, you may be able to study again at your school, at a college or sixth-form, or even online, depending on your circumstances. There are also a number of specialist independent colleges that can help you achieve better results, though these are a more expensive option.
In the UK, you can retake exams multiple times, but there is a cap on A-level subject resits, usually four tries. However, some subjects, including maths and English, do not have these restrictions.
Taking your exams for the second time will incur course fees and exam fees. The cost of these varies depending on where you take the exams, so it is worth asking various places to find out how much you are looking at.
Timetable and system changes
Since changes to the A-levels system took place a few years ago, students cannot just resit individual modules. According to ICS Learn, students must now redo the full A-level in May or June the following year, under the updated "linear" system.
The new format allows for just one examination period annually, unlike the previous "modular" structure. This means there is no longer a January resit option. Anyone looking to resit will need to wait an entire year, whether studying online or at a traditional school.
However, it is worth noting that you can carry forward your coursework mark from your previous attempt to avoid having to redo it all. The Mix, a support charity for under 25s, advises that when retaking A-levels, you can usually just redo the units you need to improve.
Appealing your grades
If you do not want to resit, appealing your grades may be a better option, especially if you suspect there may have been an error in the marking. Your school or college can request a review of the marking from the exam board. Be aware, though, that you might have to pay a fee for this if your grade is not changed after a review - and there is also the risk of your grade being lowered if the exam board identifies any marking errors.
If you believe there has been an error, you have the option to appeal your result through your school or college. The exam board will then reassess your work and determine if any corrections to your mark or grade are necessary.
