How to Improve Your GCSE Grades and Get the Results You Want (+ Free Tools to Help)

What to do with poor GCSE results?

Studying for GCSEs is a long and challenging journey, and for some students, the fear of failure lingers from the moment they start preparing until the day they receive their results. So, when low grades appear on your report, it can feel like the end of the world-but it doesn't have to be!

How common is it to fail a GCSE?

According to Statista, the 2023 GCSE pass rate was 68.2%, meaning that over 30% of students failed at least one of their exams-making it quite common to fail. So, keep your chin up; there's nothing wrong with failing, and many other students have been in the same situation... and survived.

What is considered a "bad" GCSE result?

Under the current grading system, students can receive grades ranging from 1 to 9. Although what constitutes a 'bad' result can be subjective, universities and sixth forms typically consider a grade 4 as a standard pass. This is the minimum requirement for progressing to A-levels or entering a university course.

What are my options if I fail my GCSEs?

The best path to take after failing GCSEs is to retake them. This means you get to study for some more time and prepare to sit for the exams again.

In traditional institutions, students need to retake the 2-year course to sit for exams again, but in private academies like CloudLearn, students can enroll in courses that are adapted to their needs, fast-forward to those topics they need to revise more for and be sitting for exams again in a much shorter period.

Useful Guide: Learn more about what it's like to resit GCSEs.

How to improve your GCSE grades? The path to top results

Good habits: the foundation

One of the most important aspects of studying for exams, whether it's your first time or you're resitting, is developing healthy habits that make your preparation more effective. Ensure you eat a varied and balanced diet, get plenty of sleep, engage in some physical activity, and create a study schedule that suits your needs and fits around your daily routine.

In simpler terms: Studying when you're tired, without fresh air, and skipping meals is very different from studying after a good breakfast, a walk, and in a tidy space.

Create a structured revision schedule

As soon as you start a course-whether it's an online, self-paced program or a traditional classroom setting-it's a good idea to review the course materials and create a study and revision plan.

1. Get a calendar and spread out the subjects across your week.
2. Set specific hours: Allocate the exact amount of time you'll spend on each subject.
3. Schedule revision days: Ensure you review all topics thoroughly, leaving no gaps in your understanding.

We're certain Hermione Granger would approve!

Make study sessions a ritual

Beyond setting up a study schedule, something that will truly elevate both your mood and mental clarity-trust us-is creating the perfect atmosphere for your revision sessions.

Find a quiet spot in your home where you can focus and keep all your materials organised. Add a few personal touches or decorations that make you feel comfortable, and do your best to minimise distractions. Brew your favourite tea, play some ambient music-there are even tracks with special frequencies designed to enhance concentration-and make the experience as enjoyable as possible.

Set milestones (and reward yourself)

Finally cracked that tricky topic that stumped you last time? Made it through that challenging chapter that used to give you headaches? Reward yourself! Whether it's a piece of chocolate, a few minutes of relaxation, or a day out with friends, treating yourself for reaching milestones can boost your spirits and keep you motivated to keep going.

The ABCs (or SMP?) to success

Understanding exactly what is required of you in an exam can be the key to passing. Here are some of your new best friends in this process:

1. Specifications

Understanding the tasks and instructions in an exam can be just as crucial, if not more so, than the knowledge you've gained. Even if you know the material inside out if you can't answer the question precisely, the examiners won't be able to assess your understanding, potentially costing you valuable marks.

Actionable Tip: Before the exam, practice carefully reading and interpreting questions from past papers or sample exams to ensure you understand what is being asked.

2. Mock exams

Mock exams are a great way to put your knowledge to the test. They offer a glimpse into the real exam experience while allowing you to gauge your performance without the pressure of official results.

Actionable Tip: Schedule at least one mock exam a few weeks before the actual test, simulating exam conditions to get the most accurate practice.

3. Past-papers

Past papers are invaluable resources often provided by teachers or tutors to help students understand what to expect on exam day. You can also find many of these online, whether on student blogs or official exam websites.

Actionable Tip: Dedicate specific study sessions to working through past papers, timing yourself to get used to the exam's pacing.

Bonus track: Tips from examiners

This isn't just our advice-we've gathered top tips directly from examiners, based on years of marking papers, along with the most common mistakes they see. Take note and steer clear of them!

• Read the questions carefully: do this before you start and after answering each question to make sure you are actually providing the information requested.
• Keep track of your time: make sure your knowledge goes hand in hand with time management to ensure you can complete the exam fully.
• Quantity doesn't equal quality: go straight to the point to avoid losing time and show you are certain about your answers.
• Avoid redundancy: do not repeat the same information in different styles; a common mistake among students. Make sure all you write is useful and rich.

Mistakes to avoid

Unsustainable routine

Studying for your GCSEs shouldn't feel like a gruelling marathon leading to burnout. Plan ahead so your study routine is sustainable over time. Make sure to balance your study sessions with time for yourself and the things you enjoy. Otherwise, you might keep up the pace for a few days, but you'll soon feel exhausted and lose motivation.

Distractions and procrastination

Sitting down to study for two hours but spending 45 minutes on your phone will only leave you frustrated. Trust us: use screen-blocking apps or set daily limits on your social media usage. It's also a great idea to leave your distractions in another room, making them harder to access.

Neglecting your self-talk

We understand that failing GCSEs can be incredibly frustrating. It's natural to feel disheartened or think you're not good enough-we're only human, after all. But dwelling on these thoughts will only make the experience more stressful and challenging. Instead, try practising gratitude: acknowledge your efforts, appreciate each new topic you grasp, and make the journey more enjoyable for yourself.

Key takeaway: Pay attention to your self-talk and aim to speak to yourself with kindness.

Comparing yourself to others

It's important to remember that GCSEs-or any academic qualifications-aren't a competition. Every student has their own journey, with unique strengths and challenges that you might not see. Just because someone else got higher grades doesn't diminish your abilities. Focus on what worked for you before, add some new strategies, and trust in your ability to succeed this time. You've got this!

How to get good grades in GCSE: Free resources for every need

Supporting students in achieving success in their GCSEs and A Levels is central to our mission. We're committed to providing a wealth of free resources for everyone-whether you're a student, parent, or mature learner. Take a look at some of what we offer, and stay tuned for even more to come:

Free sample course

We've made course samples across various subjects freely available to everyone. These include lessons, quizzes, mock exams, and more. Learn and test your knowledge!

Free study planner

There are many planners out there that you can use to create your study plan. Here is our own version for you to download and start preparing for your exams!

Exam guide

Examinations are not only difficult because of the subject content, but also because of its bureaucratic processes. Make this journey easier by taking a look at our detailed exam guide.

Free study calculator

Do you already know when you will be sitting the exam again? Then it is time to distribute study hours throughout the time that you have left. Use our free study calculator to know how much you should study every day in order to cover all topics before exam day.

Progress Tracker (Coming soon!)

Insights into course progression, assessment grades, and overall performance.

AI Assist (Coming soon!)

A Personal AI-powered Learning Companion.

With CloudLearn GCSE success is guaranteed!

Together with all the free resources mentioned, GCSE CloudLearn courses offer a series of benefits that will help you thrive along your learning process.

• With on-demand 1:1 tutoring sessions, students can reach out to their appointed tutor to clarify topics, ask questions, and receive extra materials (including mock exams).
• With our Guaranteed Pass, you can ensure that this will be the last time you sit for the GCSE exam, just like 98.2% of our students who have successfully passed GCSEs and A-levels.

Ready to start this journey? Request a callback!

FAQs

What to do if your child fails GCSE?

First, do not distress. Failing GCSEs is more common than you think, and students can easily resit GCSEs. Whether they got a failing grade or simply want to aim for better results, they can enroll in online courses to avoid studying for another 2 years and fast-track courses to just a few months. Learn more about how to help your child succeed at GCSEs.

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