For many students, voluntarily submitting to a stressful ordeal like exams is folly. Once they make it through their last compulsory exam season, they never want to see another exam paper.
Unless they're aiming for a future in education. But, in that case, they will be test administrators, not the test takers.
This popular sentiment doesn't explain the number of A-Level resits. AQA alone reports that more than half of their A-Level candidates resit at least one of their subjects' papers. Other exam boards likely tout similar statistics.
Why do so many students resit A-Levels, then? That's one of the questions Superprof addresses in this article. Others include:
- what the exam retake process entails
- when 2024 A-Level candidates may retake their exam(s)
- the costs and time involved with A-Level resits.
Going into A-Level exam season, most students have their future plans already set. Often, those goals involve university education, for which their A-Level results 2024 are crucial. Should their efforts fall short the mark, resitting their papers is the best way to get back on track to meet their goal.
Join our discussion on the merits of A-Level exam resits. We'll cover the pros and cons of resitting, as well as information you need to plan your resit(s). Share your thoughts in the comments section on resitting, and whether you plan to resit in case of a poor result.
Why Resit A-Levels?
You might think that students who resit A-Levels have one fixed pathway to aim for. Their university degree program demands a particular grade in that subject. They fixate on that study plan, and build no other contingency. They have no intention of choosing from the courses available through Clearing.
That's not the whole story. Your A-Level results primarily pave the way to university education, but that's not their sole use or purpose. Employers, including apprenticeship programs, consider A-Level marks in their hiring decisions. Imagine losing out on a job because your test scores do not reflect your best performance!
Like everything else in life, resitting A-Levels has its good and bad points. The good points are obvious: possible higher marks. What could be the downside? This comparison exposes both sides of the coin.
Resit Pros
- another year to study
- exam familiarity
- a chance at a higher grade and desired university degree program
Resit Cons
- time-consuming and expensive
- may not earn marks enough for a higher grade
- resit results not necessarily accepted
Let's say you had a challenging time, this year. External events kept you from consistent revision and, going into the testing centre, you didn't feel prepared. If you're not convinced you did your best, resitting poorly scored papers could be worth it. But only if you know you can do better, now that your turmoil has passed.
Knowing what to expect going into exams is the greatest advantage to resitting A-Levels. Students spend their revision time going through past papers and sitting mock exams. These exercises mimic test conditions, but only to an extent.
However, once you've been through the exam process, you know what it feels like to take them. On your second go-round, you'll be able to manage your stress, anxiety and, possibly, your panic, better. You'll have a firm test-taking strategy in place, which will imbue you with confidence.
Now, for the downsides. Resits are not like make-up exams; you must wait a whole year to retake them. Also, you'll pay for the privilege - an aspect we'll talk more about later in this article.
Grade boundaries matter when deciding on a resit. Your marks may place you at the lower end of your grade boundary. Your resit might not earn enough points to place you into a higher grade bracket. However, if you're just a few points off the next higher grade boundary, resitting one of your subjects could be worthwhile.
As you likely know, grade boundaries help UCAS - the University Qualifications Admissions System, allocate university places. Falling into a higher grade boundary increases your chances of slotting into your preferred university study program. This point argues for resits.
Beware, though, that not all universities accept resit marks. If they do, their admissions office might require you to state the reasons you resat your exam(s).
They expect to hear some compelling reason, such as illness or hardship. So, before counting on a resit, be sure to talk with your chosen school to learn their conditions for retakes.
When Are A-Level Resits?
No matter whether a first-time A-Level or a resit, these exams take place during exam season. As you likely know, the Joint Council for Qualifications sets the season's boundaries. These key dates typically run from mid-May to the end of June.
None of our four exam boards sets aside a particular block of time for resits. Returning A-Level candidates will join the current year's student cohort who are testing in the same subjects.
As a 'retaker', you will follow the same steps you took the first time you sat your exams. First, you will redo your second-year course. Then, you will resit your exam(s) during the 2025 testing season. Finally, you must wait the roughly six-week interval until authorities publish the results.
As you explore resit possibilities, be sure to ask your school and/or teacher about coursework requirements. In some cases, schools do not require resit students to repeat coursework.
However, if you'd rather not return to your school or college, you may enrol in a different facility, or take a course online. In that case, you will have to complete coursework.
How Do I Retake A-Levels?
Once you've settled on resitting one or more of your exams, deciding where you'll do so is your next step. Most resit A-Level candidates return to their school or college. In this regard, being familiar with the set-up gives return test-takers an advantage.
However, you are not limited to your old college. You can search for a school that accepts private candidates. To go this route, making sure your new campus uses the same exam board that your original school does is vital.
For your resit to matter, it must be through the same exam board that administered your first exam.
You might not have time or energy to call all the schools in your area and ask them which exam board administers their A-Level exams. Besides, searching your board's website for a list of exam centres is much more efficient.
You should still contact a few such centres to ask how much they charge for resitting. You'll find that some schools are less expensive, especially if you retest in more than one subject.
Scheduling your exam at least six months in advance is a wise move. This ensures you'll have a place reserved. This will also give you a chance to learn about that school's exam conditions.
Considerations Before Re-sitting Your A Levels
This question doesn't have a simple answer. Some subjects cost more to resit than others. Students who return to their old college may not have to pay a course fee, just a per-subject testing fee.
Private students will pay course fees as well as testing fees. Some may pay an administration fee, on top of those charges. These costs may run upwards of a thousand pounds per subject.
As you plan your resit strategy, you must take these costs into account. The dent in your wallet might not be too bad if you only retake one test. Retaking all three means laying out serious money.
The costs for the 'private student' option might see learners of lesser means shut out. There's no great harm done, as UK schools offer lots of alternatives.
This triad forms the root of every enterprise. Most students have a motive - a reason, for retesting. Means and opportunity are sometimes lacking.
When you receive your A-Level results 2024, you may have grounds to dispute them. Perhaps a few of your answers received fewer points, despite being nearly identical to your mates', with higher points.
When you approach your teacher to request a 'review of marking', you must give reasons why you believe such is necessary. Being unhappy with your grade isn't enough to initiate a marking review. Finding reasonable grounds for such a review may save you from resitting your papers.
Having good reasons to dispute your grades may be grounds for an appeal. Such entails the school and examiners hearing your complaint, and going over the paper for possible grading errors. This too might save you from a resit.
Every A-Level guide emphasises devising alternate plans in case your grades don't suit your aims. If Results Day is a happy occasion for you, you won't need to put these plans into action. But, if your results leave you reeling, it's good that you have a next step to take.
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My daughter’s school admitted that they did not put in place the procedure for the special arrangements consideration for exams, this is, the senco was not informed of my daughters’ diagnostic, when we told the school that she has been diagnostic for anxiety and other mental health issue (for which she attended therapy during the two years of A-levels preparation during school time). My daughter did worse that expected by the school, and now re-sitting A-levels. (and she is also being diagnostic with ADHD, as the symptoms were diagnostic at the beginning of a-levels preparation, as mentioned above ). Given what it seems a failure of the school to put the procedure in place to consider special arrangements for her a-levels exams; could she request as take a-levels again as for the first time?
Hi! 😊 I’m sorry to hear about your daughter’s situation—it sounds very challenging. Since the school didn’t implement the necessary special arrangements, you may want to contact the exam board directly to explain the circumstances and request advice on options. You could also seek support from a legal or educational advocate to explore whether resitting as a first attempt is possible. Wishing you and your daughter all the best moving forward! 🌟📚