How to Prepare Your Child for Receiving Exam Results

As results day approaches, it’s not just your child who might be feeling the pressure – you’re likely feeling it too! Watching your child worry or stress over their GCSE or A-Level exam results can be tough. As a parent, you want to say the right things and offer the best support, but when tensions are running high, that’s easier said than done. It’s completely normal to feel unsure about how to help.

The good news is that understanding what your child is going through, knowing what the grades mean, and being familiar with the process can make a big difference. With a little preparation and a lot of empathy, you can help your child navigate this important day and come out stronger on the other side!

Start the Conversation Early

First things first, have an open chat with your child about how they’re feeling. You might be surprised by what they’re thinking, and it’s crucial to give them space to express any worries or concerns. Ask them how they’re doing — are they feeling anxious, excited, a bit of both? Whatever it is, let them know it’s okay to feel that way.

This is also the time to remind them that their results don’t define them. Whether the grades are amazing, just okay, or not what they hoped for, they’re still the same person with a bright future ahead. Talk about what they’re aiming for but also gently introduce the idea that it’s okay if things don’t go exactly to plan. Life has a funny way of offering second chances and new paths.

Plan the Day Together

Now, onto the big day itself. It’s worth sitting down with your child and figuring out how they’d like the day to go. Do they want to open their results at school, with friends around, or would they prefer a quieter, more private moment? Maybe they want you there by their side, or perhaps they’d rather have some alone time. Whatever their preference, help them plan the day so they feel as comfortable as possible.

There are a few practical things to consider too. Make sure they have some photo ID handy, just in case, although it’s usually a teacher who knows them well handing out the results. Remind them to keep their phone charged—it’s not just for emergency calls; they’ll probably want to take some celebratory photos, too! And since the school will likely be pretty empty, packing a notepad and pen can be helpful for jotting down any important info.

Understanding the Grades

For many parents, it may have been a while since you sat your exams, and things have definitely changed. Back then, you might have been trying to achieve a grade ‘C’ or an ‘A’, but now with GCSEs using numbers instead of letters and A-Levels having their own set of criteria, it can all get a bit confusing. Don’t worry, though! We’ll break it down so you’re up to speed and can confidently support your child as they navigate their results.

For GCSE Students:

• English and Maths: These grades are some of the most important. Colleges, sixth forms, universities, and many employers will look for these as a basic requirement. A grade 4 or 5 (formerly a grade C) is the minimum needed, regardless of what your child plans to do next.
  
  
• Subjects They Want to Continue: If they’re planning to carry on with certain subjects at A-Level or beyond, they’ll need to meet the grade requirements set by their school or college.
  
  
• University Applications: Some universities take GCSE grades into account, especially if they’re the most recent formal exam results. Depending on the course, there might be specific GCSE entry requirements to meet.

For A-Level Students:

• Qualifications: To get into university, your child will need to meet the entry requirements for their chosen course. These are set by each university and are designed to ensure students can handle the course content. It’s not just about grades; some courses prefer specific qualifications or subjects.

• UCAS Offers: Universities make offers to students based on their initial application, which can include predicted grades, personal statements, and references. On results day, UCAS will update the status of the student portal, which is where your child will first see whether they have secured their place based on their exam results.
  
  Conditional: A conditional offer means they have been offered a place, but they still need to meet the entry requirements to secure their spot – usually dependant on exam results.
  Unconditional: This means their place is secured, so it’s time to celebrate!
  Unsuccessful: If they haven’t been accepted, Clearing is the next step, where they can apply for other available courses.
  Unconditional Changed Course (UCC): If they didn’t get the grades for their original offer, the university might offer a different course with lower entry requirements. Your child will have five days to decide whether they want to accept this offer, so it’s worth discussing the options.

Celebrate the Effort, Not Just the Results

When the day arrives, the focus should be on celebrating how hard your child worked, not just the grades they received. If the results are great, fantastic—celebrate together! But if they’re not quite what was hoped for, be there to listen and offer comfort. Remind them that they put in the effort, and that’s something to be proud of. There’s no one-size-fits-all path to success, and this is just one step on their journey.

What If the Results Aren’t What They Expected?

If the results aren’t what they hoped for, there are still plenty of options:

• Appealing a Grade: If they feel there’s been a mistake, they can appeal their grade.
  
• Re-sits: They might be able to re-sit exams to improve their grades.
  
• Changing Course: Depending on their results, it might be worth considering a different course of study.
  
• Vocational Qualifications: A more hands-on route could be the right fit.
  
• Gap Year: Taking a year out can give them time to gain experience and reflect on their future.
  
• Deferring a Place: If the option is there, deferring their university place for a year can be a great choice.

Looking Ahead

Finally, encourage your child to think about what comes next and take care of themselves along the way. Journaling can be a great way to process their thoughts, whether they’re excited, nervous, or both. Remind them that the future is full of opportunities, and they have the strength and support to navigate whatever comes their way. Our book How To Bullet Journal: Or BuJo For Short is a great introduction to journaling. So, if you’d like to give it a go, pick up a copy today.

Remember that being there for your child, listening to their concerns, and helping them plan, can help them feel more prepared and supported as they receive their exam results. Following these steps will help you make results day a lot less daunting and a lot more manageable. Your calm and positive approach will be comforting, no matter what the envelope holds!

Listen to our podcast!

Follow us on social media!

• Facebook
• Instagram
• TikTok
• Twitter
• YouTube