Here’s when GCSE results will be out in England - and how to collect grades

Exams across the UK were cancelled in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, meaning grades this year have been calculated in a different way (Photo: Shutterstock)Exams across the UK were cancelled in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, meaning grades this year have been calculated in a different way (Photo: Shutterstock)
Exams across the UK were cancelled in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, meaning grades this year have been calculated in a different way (Photo: Shutterstock)

Exams across the UK were cancelled in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, meaning grades this year have been calculated in a different way.

Scottish pupils received their National 5 and Higher results on 4 August, but when do students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland receive their GCSE results?

Here’s what you need to know.

When is GCSE results day?

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This year, GCSE results are out on Thursday 20 August in England, Northern Ireland and Wales.

Results for vocational and technical qualifications used for progression to further or higher education will also be available on the same day as GCSE results.

A-Level results come out a week earlier, on 13 August.

How do I collect my GCSE results?

You can usually collect GCSE results from your school on the morning of results day.

However, this year some schools may have different arrangements, and there may be social distancing measures in place.

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You may also be able to request to have your results sent to you by email.

This will vary based on your school, so it’s worth checking ahead of time what the process is going to be.

How have GCSE grades been awarded?

Given that GCSE exams were cancelled this year, students will receive a calculated grade for each subject instead.

This will be a ‘centre assessment grade’ which schools will give each student, based on the grade they would likely have achieved if exams had gone ahead.

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This will take into account a range of evidence, including non-exam assessment and mock results.

However, in order to make sure that grades are fair between schools, exam boards are putting all of these centre assessment grades through a process of standardisation.

This is done using a model which has been developed with Ofqual, the independent qualifications regulator.

You can find further information in the guidance from Ofqual on awarding GCSE, AS and A levels.

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However, due to the standardisation process, the final grades students receive on results day may not be the same as the grade that has been put forward by their school.

What can I do if I’m not happy with my results?

If you think the correct process hasn’t been used to calculate your grade, you have the right to appeal.

However, schools and colleges can only appeal on students’ behalf, against the process or the use of data, not against teachers’ use of their professional judgement.

Pupils who do not feel that their calculated grade reflects their ability will have the opportunity to sit an exam in the autumn term, in the month of November, or in summer of 2021.

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If you do choose to sit an exam, then you can use the higher of the two grades, either the one given to you on GCSE results day 2020, or the one you obtain in your exam, as your final, official GCSE grade.

The school that you would have taken exams with this summer if they had gone ahead, will need to enter you for autumn exams if you wish to take them, even if you are no longer enrolled there.