As search volume continues to rise for phrases like “failing A levels” and “what if I fail A levels”, it’s clear that more students are stressed and concerned about struggling to achieve the grades they need. With university admission often depending heavily on A level results, it’s understandable why students feel an immense amount of pressure to succeed. No one wants to fall short after years of hard work.
This comprehensive guide covers all aspects based on the question: What do you do if you fail A levels? By the end, you’ll have a blueprint of pragmatic solutions if, unfortunately, your final A level grades fail to meet university admission standards.
Now, while hoping for the best, let’s dive into all the options at your disposal if the exam results disappoint. Failing to achieve your desired grades doesn’t have to derail your goals if you have the right attitude and support.
Understand Why You Are Struggling with A Levels
you find yourself continually stressed about the possibility of failing A Levels. In that case, it’s essential to pause and reflect on the underlying factors that may be contributing to your struggles up until this point. Openly analyzing potential issues allows you to take actionable measures to remedy them.
Some common reasons students start falling behind and getting failing grades in A levels include:
- Poor time management and planning skills
- Ineffective study strategies
- Lacking foundations in key prerequisite concepts
- Personal or mental health issues
- Failure to seek out help and clarification during moments of confusion
- Choosing inappropriate courses for innate strengths
- Generally feeling overwhelmed and losing motivation
As you can see, struggling with advanced coursework like A Levels encompasses a wide range of potential root causes depending on the individual situation.
While an outright lack of effort or preparation is surely possible, subtle issues can often slowly chip away at one’s academics over time, eventually culminating in that feeling of “I think I might actually fail this year.” But beating yourself does no good. Progress starts with objective self-assessment.
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Speak with Your Teachers About Your Options
If you find yourself at risk of failing A levels based on your ongoing grades, one of the first productive actions to take is being candid about the situation with your individual subject teachers and guidance counsellors.
Yes, it can feel intimidating opening up about academic struggles, especially if you tend to be a quiet student who flies under the radar. However, avoiding the problem won’t make it go away. And teachers exist to help guide students through exactly these types of difficult situations.
By having honest conversations with your teachers, you enable them to better understand the specific factors holding you back currently. In turn, most dedicated teachers will happily provide customized feedback and recommendations to struggling students who show vulnerability and accountability for their role in the situation.
Some examples of how teachers can assist if you fail an A level test or assignment include:
- Pinpointing precisely which concepts, theories, formulas, etc., remain unclear and require further reinforcement
- Adapting their lesson delivery, materials, and availability for extra instruction during office hours, so alternate teaching methods can solidify understanding.
- Providing lists of supplementary tutoring resources and study groups available for more targeted practice
- Setting up a step-by-step study plan with reasonable goals, given the circumstances, along with greater check-ins on progress
- Discussing whether certain academic accommodations, such as an added exam time, could help alleviate external pressures to allow greater focus.
- Offering reassurance and perspective from their years of experience with many students just like you
Get Tutoring or Other Academic Support
If speaking with your teachers reveals you still require significant reinforcement of concepts and skills to realistically pass your A levels, outside tutoring and academic supports become key ingredients for success.
Some examples of external assistance to enlist if facing long-term struggling grades include:
One-on-One Tutoring
- Work with a private tutor 1-2 times per week for personalized instruction aimed at advancing weak areas and improving grades. Useful for foundational gaps or higher level exam prep.
Join Study Groups
- If budgets are tight, consider joining or forming study groups with classmates and friends to gain added repetition, peer mentoring, accountability, and moral support during stressful exam times.
Online Learning Resources
- Utilize the wealth of free or low-cost learning platforms now available online, covering nearly every academic subject in great depth. Solid option for independent learners on a budget.
The major advantage of personalized tutoring and small study groups lies in the tailored approach to tackling those exact subjects, theories and skills causing poor performance up until now. Having an expert educator or even just an accountability peer overseeing your continued practice can work wonders compared to solitary studying it clearly hasn’t been fruitful.
Reflect On Your Post-Secondary Options
Although it is rightfully disappointing if all your hard work fails to achieve those coveted grades by year 13, all hope is NOT lost if you find yourself needing to pivot upon receiving final results. Viable options exist.
If failing A Levels disrupts your initial plans to enter directly into university from secondary school, some alternative pathways to consider include:
Retake Examinations
- For Students Who Are not too far off from meeting grade requirements, retaking A Level exams the next year with added preparation may be the solution.
Foundation or Access Programs
- Specialized foundational programs at certain colleges help bridge gaps, enabling students to enter university later. Useful for building study skills. Contact us today for more details about the Brit Academy London foundation program.
Enroll in a Technical College
- Attend a community or technical “college” for 1-2 years to take introductory courses that still count towards an eventual Bachelor’s degree.
Pursue Apprenticeships or Work
- Enter the professional world directly through supportive apprenticeship schemes that develop transferable skills, which remain useful even if you return to school later. Gain clarity on interests.
The major takeaway here is that setbacks with A Levels exams do not spell the end of all academic and professional ambitions in the long run. Yes, failing them will likely require taking an indirect route to get back on track towards programs like university, but alternative pathways certainly still exist through patience and perseverance.
Conclusion
As we’ve explored throughout this guide, struggling to the point of outright failing A Level examinations can occur due to a wide range of factors that disrupt students’ education, whether that stems from personal issues, a lack of preparation, or general academic challenges.
However, while the prospect of not achieving the grades you need to attend your desired university program feels nothing short of devastating after years of hard work, all is not lost if you do end up failing your exams.
By avoiding knee-jerk reactions, proactively seeking assistance early on from teachers, enlisting tutoring support if available, and taking accountability for your role in the situation, you put yourself in the best position to turn things around in the coming months. Have faith in your ability while drowning out past noises.
FAQs
If I fail and need to repeat a year, will that reflect poorly on me to universities?
It’s generally understood that some students don’t pass all A Levels on their first try. Needing an extra year isn’t ideal, but it demonstrates maturity in your desire to improve your grades. This would only reinforce your academic abilities later on.
Is it possible to switch the university/program I originally wanted if my grades slip?
If your top program rejects you after disappointing exam results, you can apply to other programs that better match your new grade profile through adjustment/clearing. Widening your options increases chances.
Should I still apply to university if I expect to fail A Levels?
Yes, it still applies even if you end up needing to take a gap year or retake exams. You want to secure your spot in advance. Most universities allow deferring enrollment for a year if final grades fall short.
