GCSE Results Day 2026: Key Dates & What to Expect

If you’re getting your GCSE results in 2026, you might be feeling a range of emotions - from nervous excitement to overwhelmed and anxious. 

If you’re feeling apprehensive about getting your results, this article will walk you through everything you need to know. You’ll find out when you can get your GCSE results, how to prepare for results day, and the steps you can take to move forward no matter the outcome.

Key Takeaways

• GCSE results day 2026 is Thursday 20th August (schools receive them on Wednesday 19th).

• SQA Nationals results day is Tuesday 4th August for students in Scotland.

• You can collect results from school, online, or by post/email depending on your school’s arrangements.

• If you're unhappy with your grades, you can appeal or resit. Talk to your teachers about your options.

• A grade 4 is a ‘standard pass’; grade boundaries are released on results day to help interpret your marks.

When is GCSE results day 2026?

When do Schools get GCSE Results?

GCSE results are released to schools on Wednesday 19th August 2026. 

When do Students get GCSE Results?

GCSE results come out for students on Thursday 20th August 2026. 

What Time do GCSE Results Come Out?

You can usually collect your GCSE results at around 8am, depending on your school.

When is SQA Nationals Results Day 2026?

Results day for National Qualifications in Scotland is Tuesday 4th August 2026. If you sign up to MySQA (opens in a new tab), you’ll receive your results by email and/or text, as well as by post. 

How to Get and Read Your GCSE Results

There are several ways to receive your GCSE results, and your school will let you know which options are available to you.

Most students collect their results in person, but if you can't make it on the day, don't worry. There are other ways to access them. Explore our article for a more indepth look into how to find your GCSE results online or in person.

Collecting Your Results in Person

Going to school on results day is the most popular option, and for good reason.

You'll get your results sheet straight away, and you can speak to teachers or advisors immediately if you have questions. Plus, you'll be surrounded by friends going through exactly the same thing.

Most schools open their doors between 8am and 10am, though this varies. Some schools may ask you to come at a specific time to avoid overcrowding.

When you arrive, you'll typically need to show proof of identity (like a student ID card) before receiving your envelope. Your results sheet will list all your subjects and the grades you've achieved.

It's completely normal to feel emotional, whether you're thrilled or disappointed. Teachers and support staff will be on hand if you need to talk.

Getting Results Online or by Post

Can't make it to school? Your results can be sent to you instead.

Many schools now offer email or SMS notification of results. Some exam boards also provide online portals where you can log in and view your grades.

The government has been trialling a new system (opens in a new tab) that allows students to access their results directly through a secure online platform. Check with your school to see if this option is available.

If you're receiving results by post, they'll usually be sent first class on results day itself, meaning they should arrive within 1-2 working days. Make sure your school has your correct postal address well in advance.

Top tip: If you're on holiday during results day, arrange for someone you trust to collect your results on your behalf. They'll need a signed letter of authorisation from you and a copy of your ID.

Understanding Your Results Sheet

Your results sheet shows the grade you achieved in each subject, using the 9-1 grading system.

Here's what the GCSE grades mean:

How to Prepare for GCSE Results Day

A bit of preparation goes a long way in making results day less stressful.

Managing Pre-Results Anxiety

Feeling anxious before results day is completely normal. In fact, it's probably more unusual not to feel nervous. We know that the entire exams process can be a stressful time for students, with 85% of students experiencing exam anxiety. 

But there are things you can do to keep those feelings manageable.

• Limit social media. Everyone posts their best results online, which can make you feel worse if yours aren't what you hoped for. Remember that social media rarely shows the full picture.

• Talk to someone. Whether it's family, friends, or a trusted teacher, sharing your worries can help lighten the load. Don't bottle it up.

• Keep busy. The days before results day can drag if you're just sitting around worrying. Stay active, see friends, or distract yourself with something you enjoy.

• Remember that grades don't define you. Your GCSEs are important, but they're just one part of your story. Whatever happens, there are always next steps available.

If you're struggling with exam anxiety, Save My Exams has resources to help you manage stress and build resilience. Check out our exam anxiety relief pack; these helpful techniques can also help with any pre-results day anxiety. 

What to Bring on the Day

Make results day easier by having everything you need ready the night before.

Here's a simple checklist:

• Student ID or photo ID – most schools require this before handing over results.

• Mobile phone – to contact family, friends, or take photos of your results.

• Pen and paper – for noting down important information or next steps.

• A bag – you may receive information packs, prospectuses, or other documents.

• A bottle of water – schools can get warm and crowded on results day.

• A trusted friend or family member – for moral support if you'd like company.

Don't bring valuables you don't need, and remember that schools can get busy, so stay patient.

Setting Expectations

Hope for the best, but plan for different outcomes.

Think about what you'll do if:

• You get the grades you need for your first choice sixth form or college.

• You're one grade off and need to appeal or resit.

• Your results are very different from what you expected.

Having a mental plan for each scenario means you won't be caught off guard. It also helps you make quicker decisions on the day itself.

Talk to your parents or guardians about these scenarios beforehand. Their support can make a huge difference, especially if things don't go as hoped.

What If You're Unhappy With Your GCSE Results?

Not getting the grades you wanted is disappointing. But it's not the end of the road.

Thousands of students don't achieve their target grades every year, and most go on to have successful futures regardless.

Here's what you can do if your results aren't what you hoped for.

Talk to Your Teachers or Advisors

Your first step should be to speak to your teachers or school careers advisor on results day itself. They can help you understand why you might have underperformed and discuss your options. This might include: 

• Appealing a grade

• Arranging a resit

• Exploring alternative pathways

Teachers can also contact colleges or sixth forms on your behalf if you've narrowly missed entry requirements. Many institutions show flexibility, especially if you were only a grade or two away.

Don't leave school on results day without having this conversation. The sooner you seek guidance, the sooner you can form a plan.

Retaking GCSEs

You're allowed to resit GCSE exams if you're not happy with your results.

Most students retake their exams in November or the following summer. Not all subjects are available in November, so check with your school or exam board.

English and Maths are the most commonly retaken subjects. In fact, if you don't achieve at least a grade 4 in these subjects, you'll typically be required to continue studying them in college or sixth form until you pass.

When you resit a GCSE, your new grade replaces your old one, even if you do worse (though this is rare). There's no limit to how many times you can resit, but most students achieve their target grade within one or two attempts.

Resitting gives you a chance to improve your GCSE grades, but it also requires commitment. You'll need to dedicate time to revision, and you may need to balance this with new A-Level or vocational courses.

Exploring Other Routes

GCSEs aren't the only path forward. Far from it.

If your results mean A-Levels aren't the right fit, there are plenty of other options that can lead to successful careers:

• Vocational courses like BTECs focus on practical skills in areas like business, health and social care, engineering, or creative arts. They're often assessed through coursework rather than exams, which suits some students better.

• T Levels are new two-year qualifications that combine classroom learning with an industry placement. They're equivalent to three A-Levels and are designed to get you job-ready.

• Apprenticeships let you earn while you learn, gaining qualifications and work experience at the same time. They're available from Level 2 (GCSE equivalent) up to degree level and cover almost every industry you can imagine.

There are also Functional Skills qualifications that offer an alternative to GCSE English and maths, focusing on practical, real-world applications.

Your school careers advisor can talk you through all these options and help you find the right fit for your strengths and interests.

How to Appeal GCSE Results

Think there's been a mistake with your grade? You can request a review.

The appeals process allows exam boards to double-check your marks or remarking your work entirely. But it's important to understand how it works before you go ahead. Here’s a brief overview, but take a look at our dedicated appeals process article for more detail.

Step-by-Step GCSE Appeals Process

Here's what happens when you appeal a GCSE result:

Step 1: Request a priority copy of your marked work (check your exam board for deadlines.)

This lets you see your original exam script with the examiner's marks and comments. It costs around £10-£15 per paper, depending on the exam board.

Looking at your marked work helps you decide whether an appeal is worthwhile. If the examiner's marking seems fair, you probably won't gain marks from a remark.

Step 2: Submit a review of marking (check your exam boards for deadlines)

If you believe there's been a marking error, your school can request a formal review. This involves a senior examiner re-marking your work.

There are different levels of review:

• Clerical check: Ensures all marks were added correctly (cheaper, faster)

• Review of marking: A complete re-mark of one or more components (more expensive)

Costs vary by exam board and level of review, ranging from around £15 to £60+ per component. Your school will usually pay upfront and you'll reimburse them.

Step 3: Receive your new result 

Your grade can go up, stay the same, or go down following a review. If it goes down, the lower grade stands, so only appeal if you're confident there's been an error.

If your grade increases and it makes a difference to your sixth form or college place, contact the admissions team immediately. Many institutions will adjust their decisions based on updated results.

Emotional and Practical Support

Results day can be emotionally challenging, especially if things don't go to plan.

Remember that support is available:

• Your school – teachers, counsellors, and support staff are there to help

• Family and friends – lean on your support network

• YoungMinds – a mental health charity offering resources and support for young people: (opens in a new tab)youngminds.org.uk (opens in a new tab)

• The Mix – free confidential support for under-25s: (opens in a new tab)themix.org.uk (opens in a new tab)

• Childline – free, confidential advice: 0800 1111 or (opens in a new tab)childline.org.uk (opens in a new tab)

Don't struggle alone. Reaching out for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

GCSE Results Trends

Want to know how past students have performed in their GCSEs? Looking at GCSE results from previous years reveals some interesting trends. 

According to Ofqual (opens in a new tab), 22.6% of students achieved a grade 7 or higher in 2024. This was a slight increase from 22.4% in the previous year. 

These figures are more in line with GCSE results pre-pandemic. However, they still show a steady increase in the number of students achieving top grades. In 2019, 21.9% of entries achieved a grade 7 or above. 

During the pandemic, there were dramatic changes to grading, which resulted in 30% of students achieving top grades. However, 2024’s GCSE results reflected pre-pandemic trends. 

Bar chart showing the percentage of students achieving a grade 7 or above from 2019 to 2024

The GCSE results gap between the south and the rest of England widened in 2024. The percentage of students awarded a grade 7 or above in London was 28.6%, whilst only 17.8% of entries in the North East were awarded a grade 7 or above. These regional differences remain very similar to the 2023 GCSE results, increasing by just 0.2 percentage points.  

Maps showing the percentage of grades 7/A and above by region from the years 2019-2024

In 2024, 73.7% of girls' entries achieved a grade 4 or higher, compared to 67.1% of boys' entries. The gap between them has narrowed by 2.2 percentage points since 2019. This change is due to an increase in the proportion of boys securing grade 4 or above, while the percentage for girls has slightly declined.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are GCSE results important for university?

Yes, but not as much as your A-Levels or equivalent qualifications.

Most universities focus primarily on your Level 3 qualifications (A-Levels, BTECs, etc.) when making offers. However, many do ask for minimum GCSE requirements, typically grade 4 or above in English and Maths.

What if I'm on holiday for GCSE results day?

You have several options if you can't be there in person.

Ask your school if they can email or text your results to you. Many schools now offer this service, though you may need to arrange it in advance.

Alternatively, authorise someone you trust to collect your results on your behalf. You'll need to provide them with a signed letter of permission and a copy of your ID. Your school can tell you exactly what documentation they require.

If neither option works, your results can be posted to you, though they'll arrive a day or two after results day itself.

How do I get my GCSE certificates?

Your actual GCSE certificates usually arrive three months after results day, usually in October or November.

Your school will contact you when they're ready to collect. You'll need to sign for them when you pick them up.

If you've left school, certificates may be posted to you or held at your school for collection. Contact your school's exams officer if you're unsure.

Important: Keep your certificates safe. They're official documents you may need for job applications, university enrolment, or further education. If you lose them, replacements are possible but can be expensive and time-consuming to obtain.

What happens if I do worse in a GCSE resit?

Your new grade replaces your old one, even if it's lower. This can feel scary, but it's actually quite rare to do worse on a resit, especially if you've prepared properly. Most students either improve or stay roughly the same.

Final Thoughts

Results day is just one day. A big day, yes, but still just one day in your entire education journey.

Whatever grades you receive, you should feel proud of the work you've put in. You've completed your GCSEs, which is an achievement in itself.

If you've smashed your targets, congratulations! Celebrate your success and get ready for the exciting next chapter.

If things didn't go to plan, take a breath. You have options, whether that's appealing, resitting, or exploring a different pathway. None of these options makes you less capable or less worthy of success.

Your worth isn't measured by your exam results. These grades open doors, but they don't define who you are or what you can achieve.

Good luck on results day. You've got this.

Explore our GCSE Revision Resources. 

References

GCSE outcomes in England (opens in a new tab)

UCAS (opens in a new tab)

MySQA (opens in a new tab)

Contact us | National Careers Service (opens in a new tab)

Young Minds (opens in a new tab) 

The Mix (opens in a new tab)

Childline (opens in a new tab)

BBC News - GCSE results day to change for thousands of students with new app (opens in a new tab)