Your school or college can contact the relevant exam board
Hundreds of thousands of students across England, Wales and Northern Ireland have opened their A-Level, T-Level and BTec results.
Results were released on August 13, with university applicants also able to check their Ucas Hub for admissions updates.
Sixth-formers are enjoying record-breaking exam results, with the proportion of students in England gaining the highest grade of A* in A-Level subjects rose to 9.7%, up from 9.4% last year.
But for students who did not receive the grades they expected, there are several options available, including appeals, resits and Ucas Clearing.
Here is everything you need to know about grade boundaries, appeals, resits and what happens next.
What are the A-Level Grade Boundaries?
A-Level exams are graded from A* to E, with grade boundaries determining the minimum number of marks needed to achieve each grade.
Exam boards set the boundaries each year using assessment data and expert judgement. They are published on results day.
Grade boundaries can vary between subjects and exam boards, meaning the number of marks required for a particular grade is not always the same.
Some exam boards, including AQA, also publish grade boundaries from previous years.
How to Appeal against Results?
If you believe your grade is incorrect, your first step should be to speak to your school or college.
Your school or college can contact the relevant exam board and request a review of your marks.
If you remain concerned about your grade following the review, you can ask your school or college to submit an appeal through the Joint Council for Qualifications.
The exam board will then consider whether a correction is required.
If you are still unhappy with the outcome, you can request a review from Ofqual, the exams regulator for England.
The process is similar for T-Level and BTec results. Students should speak to their school or college first, as they cannot appeal directly to the exam board.
What if I do not get the Grades I Hoped For?
Missing the grades required for your university course does not necessarily mean you have lost your place.
If you narrowly miss the grades for a conditional offer, the university may still accept you or offer you a place on a different course.
You can also explore other universities and courses through Ucas Clearing.
Another option is to resit some or all of your exams. Students considering this route should speak to their school or college about the available options.
A-Level resits will take place in May or June 2027.
What is Ucas Clearing?
Ucas Clearing is a process run by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service to match students with university and college courses that still have spaces.
Students can use Clearing if they:
- Do not achieve the grades required for their conditional offer
- Do not receive any offers they want to accept
- Decide to apply for university after 30 June
- Achieve better grades than expected and want to change universities
Clearing opened on July 2 and closes on October 19.
Universities make offers based on students’ qualifications and grades, as well as the Ucas Tariff points system.
A-Level grades are worth different numbers of Ucas points. An A* is worth 56 points, while a D is worth 24 points.
BTecs, T-Levels and other qualifications can also carry Ucas points. Students can use the Ucas Tariff calculator to work out the value of their results.
What are the Options if I do not Want to go to University?
University is not the only option after receiving your results.
Some students may choose to start an apprenticeship or enter the workplace directly.
Others may take a gap year to gain experience or consider their next steps before applying to university.
There is no single route that students need to follow after A-Levels, T-Levels or BTecs. The right choice depends on individual circumstances, qualifications and future plans.
When was Results Day in Scotland?
Scotland has a different qualification system, with students taking Highers and Advanced Highers rather than A-Levels.
Scottish results day took place on August 4, 2026.
Pass rates for National 5, Highers and Advanced Highers all increased this year.
For students receiving their results across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, results day marks the beginning of their next step.
Whether that means university, Clearing, resitting exams, an apprenticeship, employment or taking a gap year, there are several options available after results day.
