How to prepare for results day

It’s never too early to start preparing for your A-level exam results. If you’re nervous about your grades, start planning for the day now, so you’re ready for any outcome.

Two students sitting together at a table looking at their laptops

Get everything ready

The wait for results can be a stressful and daunting time, but it can also be productive. You could use this time to start thinking about what you need to do if you get the results you want, and how you’ll manage the day if you miss out on them.

It might help to make a list of the things you’ll need to hand on the day.

You may need:

  • your UCAS ID number
  • printouts of any conditional offers
  • a list of alternative universities/courses (with their phone numbers) if you go into Clearing
  • a notepad and pen
  • a fully charged mobile phone.

Plan for different outcomes

Having a plan for different eventualities can help you make informed decisions on the day.

We’ve put together three different possible outcomes and the kind of things you might want to consider for each.

Decide how you’ll get your results

It can be very reassuring to set out a more practical plan for the day, including how you will physically collect your results.

  1. Check how your results get to your chosen university

    Most results go directly to UCAS from the awarding organisations, and UCAS send them on to your choices. But if not, you will need to send your exam results on to your universities or colleges yourself. This may be the case if your course requires specific GCSEs.

  2. Check you have given the correct contact details

    It’s important to check you have given the correct contact details to UCAS and your universities of choice. If you have given your school email address, this may not still be in use when it comes round to results day.

  3. Make a practical plan for the day

    The thought of physically collecting your results can add to your worry about the day. Decide how you will get them, so it doesn’t seem so overwhelming when the day arrives.

    Think about:

    • if you want to physically collect your results from your school or college or access them online
    • where you want to open them
    • if you want someone to be with you and who that is.

    If you know you are going to be away on results day, you can nominate someone to collect them. This should be someone you trust and should be agreed in advance. You must tell your school or college who this person is. You should also ensure there is a named proxy on your UCAS application, so that someone can talk to universities on your behalf if you need to go into Clearing.


Talk to family and friends

If you’re worried about how family or friends may react to your results on the day, why not show them how you are preparing now. It can help to talk through your plans to alleviate some of the worry on the actual day. It can also be helpful to get feedback about your plans and see if they have any further advice for how you can prepare.


Look after your wellbeing

Once you’ve completed your planning, file the plans away and try to relax and enjoy your summer holidays. Remember that it’s not the end of the world if you don’t get your grades and you’ve tried your best to prepare for different eventualities.

As the day gets closer, why not browse our top tips for surviving A-level results day.

If you are feeling very anxious, it’s important to talk to family and friends or reach out to organisations that can help:


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