Written by NEC Chief Executive Esther Chesterman – explaining the benefits of GCSE resits.

If your exams haven’t quite gone to plan and you are considering taking a resit course, you are not alone. There’s no denying that the exam period can be a stressful time for students, especially when you are relying on a pass grade to help you meet entry requirements for a university place. 

“22.9% of maths entries were marked at a grade 4, a standard pass, or above, down from 24.9% in 2022 and 26.9% in 2019.” – BBC News

To help you make a decision on whether resit courses are right for you, we are exploring all the reasons why GCSE resits are beneficial and more specifically how they can help you.

Why Do People Resit GCSEs?

Arguably the most common reason for people studying a GCSE resit course is to improve their grade to meet entry requirements for further education. Other individuals may be needing to meet the qualification requirements for employment and apprenticeship opportunities. 

Whilst these are all valid reasons, in some cases an individual may just want to push their grades higher for none other than to prove their academic abilities.

Is It Worth Retaking GCSEs?

Yes! There are many benefits to retaking your GCSEs such as:

• Opening doors to higher education
• Increasing your chances of gaining better job opportunities
• Personal satisfaction and increased confidence 
• Improved grades that can enhance your CV and demonstrate your commitment to achieving your goals

“I retook my GCSE English and Maths through the NEC. When I reached out to my tutors the support was great, my assignments were returned swiftly and with helpful comments.” – NEC student

Are Resits Usually Easier?

Many students wonder if resits are easier than the original exams. While the content and standards within resit courses remain the same, you might find the exam easier because you’re more familiar with the material and exam format used due to your previous studies and exam experience. The additional preparation and revision time may also help boost your confidence and performance.

Do Universities Accept GCSE Resits?

Many students worry that their chances of being accepted by their desired university decrease if they haven’t passed their exams the first time. Thankfully, this isn’t the case.

Most universities accept GCSE resits as admission teams understand that students may need to retake their exams in order to meet entry requirements. To be sure, it’s recommended to check the specific policies and requirements of the universities you’re applying to.

Challenges with Current GCSE Resit Policies

The Association of Colleges (AoC) has highlighted issues with the current funding policy around GCSE resits. They are arguing that new conditions requiring 16 – 18 year olds who haven’t passed English and maths to keep resitting these exams don’t help students effectively. 

The AoC suggests that colleges should have more flexibility in how they use extra funding to support students better​​ and recommend offering functional skills qualifications as an alternative​​.

How Can I Study for a GCSE Resit?

Much like any other GCSE course, it’s important to still put the time and effort into studying and revising for your resit exam.

There are a number of methods that will help you feel better prepared for your exam, including:

1. Creating a study plan/routine
2. Practice with past exam papers 
3. Consider hiring a tutor or joining a study group

We have another blog post dedicated to our top revision tips right here to give you more helpful tips.

Taking the opportunity to resit a GCSE doesn’t have to be daunting. With the right resources and effort, retaking your GCSE subjects can prove to be worthwhile and help you move to the next step of your educational or employment journey. 

If you are considering taking a resit GCSE course in Maths or English, this page will help answer more of your questions and if you would like to speak to someone about your options, a member of our friendly Course Advice Team is always happy to help.

Ready to commit? Check out our Maths and English resit courses today.