GCSE results 2023, BTec Level 2 and National 5s – full guide

Students in England, Northern Ireland and Wales are receiving GCSE and vocational technical qualification results, which includes Level 2 BTec and Cambridge Nationals.

Results have fallen for a second year running in an effort to return grades to pre-pandemic levels.

In England, GCSEs are now graded using a numerical system, from 9-1 rather than A-E. Students need a 4 for a "standard pass" and 5 for a "strong pass".

In Wales and Northern Ireland, GCSEs are graded using letters, unless an exam taken in those nations comes under an English exam board.

If you are unhappy with your grade, you should first talk to your school or college.

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, your school will contact the exam board on your behalf and ask for your marks to be reviewed.

If you still think you have been unfairly graded after a review, you can ask your school or college to appeal.

If you are still not satisfied, you can request a review from Ofqual.

In Scotland, SQA results (based on National 5s and National 4s) were published on 8 August, with pass rates down from last year but higher than they were before Covid.

If you have concerns about your final grade, you can appeal directly to the SQA for free. Speak to your school or college first.

If your appeal is accepted, the exam board will look at the marks you received.

The charity YoungMinds points out results are not the only measure of success - and if things do not turn out how you had hoped, there are lots of other ways to help you achieve your goals.

Yes, you can resit any GCSE or National 5 exam the following year. GCSE maths and English exams take place in November.

If you want to explore this option, you should speak to your school about the best course of action.

In 2020 and 2021, there was a spike in top results, after exams were cancelled because of Covid and grades assessed by teachers.

As with A-level results, the plan in England, Wales and Northern Ireland this year was to bring down that grade inflation.

This year's grade boundaries for exam papers have been released - you can see further details here. How they are decided varies across the UK:

England

As usual, senior examiners decided the minimum marks needed for each grade.

However, because of the disruption caused by Covid, exam boards in England were "slightly" more lenient than before the pandemic when deciding grade boundaries.

Students had some additional support in the exams themselves, such as formulae and equation sheets in maths, physics and combined-science - and exams in the same subject were more spaced out than usual.

Results have fallen back in line with pre-pandemic levels this year, after three years of higher grades.

Wales

In Wales, grades were awarded more generously than before the pandemic.

Students were given some advance information for Welsh Joint Education Committee (WJEC) papers to help pupils revise. There was no advance information for any other papers taken in Wales.

Northern Ireland

The exam board which covers most pupils in Northern Ireland (Council for the Curriculum, Examinations & Assessment) provided advance information for most subjects, and examiners took Covid disruption into account.

Scotland

The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) said its grading was "sensitive" because of the continuing impact of the pandemic. It took similar steps last year to help students, such as removing or reducing exams or elements of coursework, but plans for exams to go fully back to normal next year.

Many pupils go on to study A-levels in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, or Advanced Highers in Scotland.

International Baccalaureate (IB) is also an option, as are vocational courses such as National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs), BTec Level 3s, TechBacs, Cambridge Technicals and (in England only) T-levels.

You could also consider an apprenticeship. Apprentices get paid a salary, as they spend 80% of their time in the workplace while being trained.

Other options include a traineeship or combining work with part-time education.

The National Careers Service has more information.

What questions do you have about results day? Whether you have queries about A-levels, GCSEs, Highers or vocational courses, you can get in touch by emailing [email protected].

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