Bethan Foulkes, Science Subject Advisor

This blog has been updated for 2026.

It’s not long now before this year’s results days, and we know that this can be a stressful time for students. If your results aren’t what you hoped for, try not to panic. There are often more options available than you might think. Here are five things you can do next...

1. Get advice

The teachers at your school or college can really help in giving you sound advice. They’ll be able to advise you on potential next steps. They’ll also know who to contact about your next moves and the different options open to you.

It might also be worth contacting the institution you were hoping to go to. They might still be willing to offer you a place even if you haven’t achieved the grades they asked for. If you’re applying for university, the UCAS website has lots of helpful advice.

There’s also a student page on our website, with lots of useful information. It may be a good idea to look at these pages when speaking to your teachers or making any decisions.

2. Consider your options

You might have had your heart set on a particular course or place of study but it’s worth considering alternatives. Take some time to think what your priorities are: is it the subject, the course you want to take, or the particular place of study? Could you still end up in the same career by taking slightly different options? Perhaps a vocational course or an apprenticeship might get you where you want to be. 

Different students thrive in different environments. Some are better suited to on-going assessment and work experience while others prefer courses with end of year exams. If you have decided to change course, speak to the institution you are hoping to go to. They will be able to advise whether you can change course, and how to go about it. 

Don’t write a subject off just because you didn’t do as well in it as you expected. An ex-student of mine didn’t do very well in his first year of IB Biology so switched to a vocational course. He finished the course with full distinctions and went to university to study nursing – something he realised he wanted to do once he switched courses. 

And don’t do a subject just because you did unexpectedly well in it. It really helps to study a subject you enjoy or find interesting. If you study a subject that you have no interest in for two years you may not want to put in the work required to achieve the grade you want.

3. Don’t make any snap decisions

If you don’t get your first or back up choice for university, sixth form, or college you still have options. Take some time to explore them before making any major decisions:

• Check if your chosen place of study offers an alternative course that interests you and matches your grades.
• Explore UCAS clearing, or other institutions, for similar courses. You may need to take a little time to research your options.
• Consider waiting and reapplying next year (this is relevant for after sixth form). 
• Think about a gap year, resits or work experience, particularly if you have your heart set on a particular university.
  

Whatever you decide, it is really important to take some time to reflect. ‘Less haste – more speed’ is the key. If you rush into something, you could end up somewhere you aren’t happy at, or on a course you don’t want to do. Speaking to your chosen institution is also helpful in decision making, as they may be able to guide you through the options they have for you. You may even find they have options you had not thought of.

If you are not happy with your grades, you may feel under pressure to decide quickly whether you want to take resits next summer, or continue with the grades you have achieved this summer. Give yourself time to consider your options. Talk to your teachers, family, and your chosen institution before deciding what to do next. You may find that there’s no need to take resits because your results will take you where you want to go. 

4. Talk to family and friends

The people who know you best can be really helpful in this situation. They may have their own experiences to share, and talking something through with people who have your best interests at heart will support you in making the right decision. 

You could go to another sixth form college or school to study the subjects you are really passionate about. Family and friends can also help you research different options and weigh up the pros and cons.

5. Do what’s best for you

Getting good advice is obviously crucial – not least because it will make sure you know all the options open to you. But don’t let anyone pressure you into a decision you’re not sure about. Think about what you’d really like to do and the different ways that you can get there. Whether that means resitting exams, taking a gap year, getting some work experience or finding an alternative course, there is an option that will work for you.

Finally, if you think a mistake has been with your grade, please speak to your school or college as soon as possible. They can explain the review of results procedure and any deadlines that might apply.

Stay connected

If you have any questions, you can call us on 01223 553998 or email us on support@ocr.org.uk.

About the author

Bethan joined Cambridge OCR in April 2019 and is a subject advisor for GCSE sciences and applied science. Before joining Cambridge OCR, Bethan taught biology to 11 to 18 year olds for eight years, and was responsible for planning her school’s biology schemes of learning. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Bethan mentored PGCE students and NQTs in science, and oversaw all the trainees and NQTs within the school as a professional tutor. In her spare time she enjoys dressmaking, quilting and many other different crafts.