A-level results 2021: Need to clear a university place? Here’s what to do next | UK news

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Teens in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are getting their A-level results today.

But for some, they may have missed the grades they wanted for university.

How will the grades be awarded this year?

Grades will be based on teacher evaluations. They make judgments using a range of evidence including mini-exam results, coursework, and mock exams. Students have already been told what guides their school or college is using, and they will only be evaluated based on what was taught.

Image: Students who are not satisfied with their grades can resume the process

Teacher evaluations were checked by school administrators prior to submission. Examination boards checked each school or college’s approach and, in a random selection of schools, also checked scores.

Can students resume their results?

The simple answer is yes.

Students in Scotland and Wales have already received their provisional grades and have been able to start the process. Students in England can appeal as soon as their results come out.

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They first need to ask their school or college to verify their grades. If they are still not happy, they can submit an appeal to the exam board – but students who need results to secure university places will be given priority. Since grades are awarded through teacher evaluations, it can be difficult to successfully challenge the results. Students may also take exams in the fall.

Are we likely to see the same problems we did last year?

Last year’s Tier 1 results were a fiasco, and it’s something everyone wants to avoid this year. An algorithm was used that reduced approximately 40% of the results. It was canceled within days.

This time, the results are based on the teacher’s judgments using an evidence-based approach. Grading systems have been scrutinized by the school and examination boards, to ensure that they are as fair and accurate as possible. However, this is a new system and everyone expects the scores to look different from 2020 and previous years.

This is the second year that scores are awarded without taking the regular test, so it seems likely that scores this year will be higher.

If the scores are higher, will it affect university places?

This is the big question. Is there sufficient capacity in the university system to handle an abundant set of outcomes? If there are too many higher grades, it may cause places to be attracted on popular courses. Certainly, many universities think there wouldn’t be much room to wave to students who hardly miss their grades.

Another factor that increases competition is the fact that 10% over 18s are applying for places this year. Additionally, some overspending is expected from the 2020 batch.

Image: The clearinghouse allocates spare university places in the event that students fall behind in their grades

So, is clearing likely to be busy?

Clearing is the system that allocates spare university places in the event a student fails his grades or changes his mind. As the competition for places is tougher than ever, students going through the clearing process may find it difficult to get into the courses they want.

Index numbers are expected to attempt to use clearing for university entry, and the UCAS Admissions Service predicts “hot spots” for the most popular courses and universities. Students are encouraged to make decisions quickly to avoid getting lost.

Students can call the Exam Results Helpline at 0800 100 900 to speak to a professionally qualified careers counselor if they need advice on next steps.

The helpline will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday for two weeks from August 9 to August 20.

A vacancy survey will be listed in the UCAS search tool, and options can be added to the tracking from 2pm on results day.

Students should then contact individual universities or colleges to talk about removing places. Lines at most universities will be open from early morning until 8pm on August 15.

If they need to speak to UCAS, they can be contacted at 0371468 0 468, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and their ID should be ready.

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