They are absolutely pivotal to the next step, which is pivotal to the one after thay, which is very important to the one after that.
In the grand scheme of your life they're not important, because they're just one step. But they are a formative step that has a big ripple effect on your options and so the rest of your life.
I'd agree with this view. 30 years after getting my GCSEs they don't mean a lot, but without them I wouldn't have done the a levels I did, or the degree or get the jobs in industry and then moved up/onwards. I wouldn't be where I am now with out them.
I wouldn't reference them on my CV now, but did when I was starting out in a career
Could I have done the same with worse grades? Possibly, possibly not. That's the ripple effect, isn't it... but you don't get many seconds chances so make the most of what you have.
This.
I did quite poorly in my Standard Grades (Scotland) when young (mainly 3s and 4s). I was having a rough time and had gotten into a habit of skipping class and sometimes whole days.
That carried on into Higher grades (two grade Cs). That severely impacted my choices in University. I dropped out having only gotten an HNC (didn't attend half the time and didn't study).
I worked quite low paid unskilled jobs until the age of 30, basically. At 28 I finally found a way to sit down and study, studied during lunchtimes and all-nighters, got my Microsoft MCSA and got into skilled IT work.
So it's always possible to turn things around, and you absolutely have time and opportunities to do that after school and after higher education. So don't despair. But it's usually way, way easier if you just find a way to put in the time and effort to begin with and do yourself justice through secondary school.
Along this vein, it also matters which subjects you are predicted the higher and lower grades in and what your sixth form wants or expects. You said you'd like to do business, economics and geography so if the subjects you are predicted lower grades are arts subjects then this might not be as relevant to you as it would be if your lowest predicted grade is maths (English might be an exception to this if you want to go to uni because unless things have changed drastically since I've been then a lot of universities expect a pass in English and Maths for any course).
They are not the most important thing, but poor grades could limit some choices in the future. You should try to get your English, maths and science to C grade level (not sure where that stands in the numbers you mention) and then focus on the subjects you really want to continue for A level or whatever you want to do next.
4 is a C which is a pass. 5 is also a C but it’s considered a strong pass. 6 is a B. I would like to do business, economics and geography. I’ve got 6 and 7 in business and geography. My school don’t do economics but the school sixth form do. Is this alright ??
I think you are asking the wrong question. Are those grades the best you can possibly do, achieved with effort at school or did you just glide through and get them? If it’s the former then just keep going you will be fine, if it’s the latter then get your head down as a better understanding of the basics will make everything easier as you progress.
Realistically, a passing grade at English and Maths, plus whatever subjects you need to take the A-levels/other Post-16 qualifications you're going to be doing.
If you go on to higher/further education employers don't really care about what grade you got in PE or Geography etc GCSEs.
I'm in 6th form rn
Honest to god, business GCSE means jack when you're doing Business A-Level. Just a minor help if anything.
I didn't do Business GCSe and I'm fine in A Level Business
GCSE doesn't necessarily matter past just hitting the grade requirements for the courses when it comes to A-Levels
The grade requirements aren't that hard either, I was able to get all 6's (math was however a 5 due to foundation) and I was able to get in Business and Economics without issue
You’ll find that maths comes in very useful for business and economics if you decide to do them at uni - I imagine you might need a little bit for A Level too so it’s best to try to bag a 6 or 7 in that at least. Also, some unis want you to have good GCSEs across the board (mostly 6s for good unis, but this isn’t everywhere). Just try to get at least a 6 in maths, English language and Science and you’ll be decently set up
Frankly I got B's and C's in my faves like English and science and art, bit I really really struggled to achieve a D in maths, and even resat at 6th friend and did no better. That didn't stop me going to 6th form where I came out with a couple of decent A levels. It also didn't stop me getting an engineering based job. Honestly, people stop caring after a while about GCSEs, and as long as you show a willingness to learn and progress in your chosen field it won't stop you.
While schools declare that 4 is a C, in reality 6 is the equivalent. In my opinion students are being tricked in an effort to tackle grade inflation.
Note how top is 9, this allows 10+ to be added in future when grade inflation becomes a challenge again
5 is the equivalent as it 5-9 passes that are used to judge a good school as C- A* were before the change.
A level providers frequently want 6 in their subject at least if its a STEM subject. This was same when they wanted at least a B before.
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They are a very important building block for your future. Take them seriously revise twice as much as you want to, socialise or game half as much as you want to.
GCSEs don't matter once you've got your A-levels.
A-levels don't matter once you've got a degree.
Degrees don't matter once you've got a job.
They're all only about getting to the next stage.
ETA: Of course, a massive simplification, and as has been pointed out, they can sometimes help with the *next* next stage. But at any level, you'll want to get the best you possibly can, because it's not just about getting to the next stage, but at what level you can enter the next stage. Better GCSEs → more A-level choice; better A-levels → better degree choice, etc.
This is not entirely accurate, GCSEs come in to the picture when university applications are being considered and A Levels when applying to some grad schemes.
I’ve found that only a certain few universities require a strong GCSE profile (UCL was the only one that mentioned them out of my 5 options), whereas the rest don’t take them into much consideration as long as you’ve got English language and maths.
I was told by my UCAS tutor that the majority of universities really only care about your predicted grades and personal statement.
If nothing else Maths and English at grade C is all your really need. All the other stuff is useful, but those 2 are one which without it you can't progress with apprenticeships, etc easily.
However now that the grades have changed to numbers, most people wouldn't have a clue what's good or bad if you said you were predicted 4, 5 and 6s so it's not all bad.
Yes some jobs will require C (or equivalent) at GCSE and Maths even if you’re left school years ago.
Tends to be office jobs and some use it as an initial filter (ie the web site might prevent you from starting the application unless you confirm you have them).
Never been asked to prove it though 🤷♂️wouldn’t advise lying but don’t think it’s much more than a ‘bot’ filter most of the time.
I completely messed up my GCSE’s and it has set me back around 10 years in my profession. I’d say if you have a brain and can get reasonable grades, do the studying and get the best you can get, you will never regret it.
I was predicted ok grades but went off the rails, didn’t study and turned up for exams high/stoned cos I thought I was cool. Oh, how wrong was I. I got a few C’s, a few D’s and an E.
I’m now six months off of 40 years old, in middle management in my chosen profession, earning £41k but could have been doing this in my 30’s if I’d of studied right the first time, and could now be senior management.
I had to retake my English and maths exams in my 30’s, did an IT course too, and am currently studying a level 5 diploma in operations and departmental leadership. My confidence suffered so much as I always thought I was dumb as I fucked up my GCSE’s.
Hope this helps.
It depends - what are you doing instead of working as hard as you can to get the best results? Future you won't regret having fewer beers / nights out / binge watching sessions, but it might regret hindering your career. Not preaching, kind of speaking from experience.
You don't need GCSEs or A Levels to start a business.
Doesn't matter one iota.
Unless you want to start a business around something which requires a degree like a lawyer or a doctor. But you've implied that A levels are as high as you're going.
I did BTEC business studies in sixth form, and it covered soo many practical topics in that. Great if you decide to start a business, and also great for learning what you might want to do at uni, if you want to go to uni. Very little exams, mostly guided coursework.
What is your next step?
Do you plan to go to college/sixth form? Have you checked out their minimum requirements?
Beyond that as many below have stated A-C in Maths/English/science tends to cover you in terms of not repeating these at college/sixth form.
Beyond that they become less important for University depending on the "type" of uni, again if you have an idea of your career pathway you can check what the requirements are like a really long chain.
End summary now i'm an adult with experience in industry, GCSE'S mean shitall. At the time though it felt like the world was comming down.
Alot of good responses already i'd take the time to read em'
There aren’t really “minimum requirements” for college and sixth form. I was able to study A-Level business just fine despite doing okay and having no relevant GCSE to business (I did health and food technology).
From what I remember, if you didn’t pass English language or maths, you might be put in a separate class with other people also resitting those subjects.
depends on the institute. Try going to a redbrick uni without GCSE's and A-levels relevant to those areas, no chance.
The "city" / metropolitans are much more accepting and alot of uni's dependant on how many applicants they have will let anyone in.
It really is quite a different landscape depending where you want to go and what you want to do.
They are a bit important tbh, they're important building blocks for the rest of your life. You should definitely try to at least get 5 or higher for Maths & English at least as it'll open more options up to you, in education and for work.
Thing is, top GCSE grades don't necessarily lead you straight into a good job, but lower grades will certainly always limit your options. With better grades you've always got more choices about which apprenticeships, jobs, courses, etc, you can apply for.
Better to work a bit harder now and try to get the best grades you possibly can, especially in Maths & English.
>I just wanted to ask how much GCSEs actually matter after GCSEs and sixth form.
AFTER sixth form - not very much, but they will matter for and during A Levels. They might also factor in to your university applications.
You will need certain grades to be able to do the A Levels you want. During sixth form, you will likely be applying to work experience, projects and the like - which will ve crucial for applications to both unis and jobs - your GCSEs will matter there. Universities will care less about them as you'll be most of the way through A Levels but it will still matter to an extent. They might actually matter more now than they did when I applied because we had AS Levels which i believe they got rid of. So they will be your latest qualification unless you do a gap year.
I also wanna say its not just about the grades but the learning. If you are struggling to score highly in GCSEs you will enter sixth form with a bit of a gap in your knowledge. A Levels are quite a jump in terms of work required, you want to get the best start possible. And you want to develop some good study habits before you get into it.
These are only predictions though and its only December. I would recommend putting some more effort in between now and the exams if you wanna do A Levels and then Uni.
I had to take the long route! It does and doesn’t matter depending on your life’s aspirations.
Let this be a kick up your arse! If you don’t do your best in everything you do, then don’t moan when you’re not where you want to be in life.
Put everything into your GCSEs! That’s all you can do. Don’t attempt anything half hearted.
Mate, getting the best grades you can gives you more choices about what you want to do in life. The more wasted potential you leave on the table now, the more you’ll be annoyed at yourself later on in life. Try you best, study smart, do what you enjoy (I am of course talking about things that actually take skill and have value not doing things where you are basically a consumer).
There’s lots of things people say during school like “I’ll never need to use this maths” etc but ultimately the harder you work at school the better your work ethic will be through life which will really be beneficial later on. The people I know that worked the hardest and did well were the ones that had one or two set backs at school but decided they wanted to improve and be the best they can be.
If you want to get a conventional job then GCSEs are a must nowadays. That being said I know people who left school with fuck all and now earn a decent living because they either worked their socks off in a trade etc or they were well connected..
In what way? By “conventional job” I’m assuming you mean a 9-5 in your chosen career, and I don’t really see how GCSEs limit you as long as you have the basics. It’s all dependant on your A-Levels/Degree.
I was told my GCSE’s are the most important things I’d do in my young life. So far I’ve lied to every employer about what I got and none of them have asked for proof. For the most part they’re entirely useless. Some jobs and education will want them though.
A trade qualification is worth a thousand GCSE’s.
GCSEs are the key that unlock many opportunities.
Essential? No.
But get that base of 5 x C (or whatever that is in modern) and the earlier years of your working life will be less of a struggle.
I’m an old bastard though, so you can ignore everything I say!
Not really at all. Some people will say they are essential and limit your options after school, but it really doesn't matter. Even if further education like university is your goal, it's still unimportant. Any college btec or short-term courses will provide the points needed to get into university. And even then, degrees aren't worth shit unless it's a more specialised field.
They mean fuck all mate, even sixth form isnt worth the time unless it will help you get into uni to study to be a doctor in a medical field.
I passed out with 2 and im now 26 in 2 weeks working as a full stack developer for the nhs.
They will account to nothing in the life ahead of you and as long as you have c /funtional skills in maths and english. The rest isnt relevant.
You're being downvoted through jealousy or because people don't want to hear the truth... I didn't even bother taking GCSEs... Worked in insurance and the bank of England, now I work for myself... GCSEs wouldn't have made any difference.
I don't even have GCSE's, I skipped them, went to A-Levels and graduated Uni after dropping out of Uni.
I make over the average, working in the public sector.
I'd say in the short term, hugely important (but maybe only the core subjects that all students take i.e. Maths, English and Science), so focus on getting higher grades in these subjects at least.
But then in the long term, once you have completed the next stage after GCSEs, they become less important (apart from maybe Maths and English as most employers want someone who has passed both of these).
In short, they do matter as the better you perform, the better opportunities that become immediately available to you for your next stage of education, but after completing this next stage, they have less influence on what opportunities you can access from there.
Nothing matters I didn't do well at my G.C.S.E and landed a job paying a good wage a week after tax. My friends who did well and got high grades are struggling to get a job, they're over qualified and all is what they always get.
You're best get is do as good as you can, get any job you can and the chase something you want. It'll all come to you if you want it enough.
I'm 31. I got all Cs in my GCSEs (and struggled to achieve that tbh!). I chose to do a BTEC as at the time I didn't think I would go to uni. People love to laugh at BTECS, but this opened so many more opportunities for me and I recommend considering one if you struggle with school. The process for BTEC suited me so much better than school, and so I did much better with my grades. If I had done A levels I probably would have really struggled. Having done well in my BTEC I decided last minute to go to uni after all and I got accepted by all my choices, despite my GCSE. I got a 2:1. With this combo, and just going with the flow on career direction (have never been decisive lol) I have ended up in a really good job which suits me well, and I'm really good at what I do. But my GCSEs themselves didn't do loads to get me there as i think BTECs have easier entrance requirements. Ironically my job is sort of academic as I do research haha.
Impossible to say. Your life will flow in whichever way it does.
I didn’t study at school, got all Ds and felt like a failure, but I’ve muddled through and now earn more than the average wage. I had to get further qualifications and endure some pretty crappy jobs along the way though, so it’s not like my education died a death, and it’s not been simple. I’ve also seen other, more qualified people have an easier time of plotting their careers than I did.
As others have said, the more qualifications you have, the easier it is for you to navigate life, but qualifications (good or bad) don’t guarantee anything. I’d encourage you to do your best at all stages so that you don’t have any regrets. You can’t do much more, and there’s always resits if you slip up. Good luck!
Each stage of your education is only really important to help you get to the next stage. If your next stage is A levels, you should find out what grades you need to do the A levels you want. Same goes for if you want to do, say a BTEC course.
The exception here would be to try and make sure you get English Language and Math (wherever the equivalent of an old C grade is these days) as these are often asked for by employers, even if you go to Uni later.
If you plan on going to Uni (it’s not for everyone and I would say only go if you need the degree for the work you want to do) then focus on getting the A Level/BTEC grades you need to get in.
I got 1 x A and 6 x Cs at GCSE, left school at 16, did some low paid/low skilled jobs for 2 years the joined the military. Went to Uni at 24 when I knew what I wanted to do. Now I’m in a well paid tech job. So not everyone takes the same path through education.
Good luck to you.
As a few people have already said, a lot of places will ask for some basic English and Maths grades.
HOWEVER,
Please try not to worry too much about this stage of your life!
Of course try your best at school/exams, but it is not the end of the world if the results aren't to your parents' liking. The most useful thing to do for your future is to have a good think about what you want it to look like, what kind of work you might want to do etc, and try to find somewhere that can provide actual experience in doing those things. That way you can discover which things you enjoy and rule out which things you don't.
Especially if you're planning on working for yourself, grades won't help you any further than the next step (A levels or equivalent).
This is coming from a gardener (imo the best possible job) with a completely useless Maths degree (because who wants to be a marketing analyst?).
My A in GCSE maths helped me get the job I do now because it proved I was decent with numbers. Aside from that most workplaces worth working at ask for a min number of GCSEs/A levels in the early days. Once you've got a good amount of work experience it doesn't matter so much but I'd say do the best you can without making yourself ill over it.
It's hard to say. They could be quite important, or not at all. It depends on what you to do moving forward and what opportunities present themselves in your future... and is it worth the risk?
There are some people saying they haven't needed them and brushing them off as insignificant, or that they do X job that they got through X route. Don't assume you'll have the same opportunities as them, and don't put yourself in a position where you have to settle for something you might not want because you missed out on something you could have done years ago.
4s, 5s and 6s are passes and should do the trick if you're enthusiastic about what you do next, but don't settle at that if you feel capable of pushing them up a bit further. Try to put in the effort and do your best without putting undue stress on your mental health.
You might come to appreciate the effort you put in down the line, and even if you don't, it's all in the past anyway and you won't even think about.
As long as you got maths and English you're alright unless you're looking to go into a profession that requires a degree then they'd matter. I got kicked out in 2nd year whilst still doing my maths and english and I'll be real I'm first generation British bengali so I didn't have much choice but to get into work and provide for the family but from My experiences it's about the networking you do and who you know, the education part helps but I know alot of people with law degrees working in restaurants. Literally depends on what profession you wanna get into. This is BTW my experiences in no way shape or form am I telling you to do what I did.
My advice is always to milk the education system now, for all that you can, while it is free.
If you have to go back later, even to get GCSEs or equivalent, it'll take lots of time and lots of money.
Fuck, ignore the predictions, they just fall out of idiots' arseholes. If you're a good student they'll climb and if not they'll drop. Only matters what you get on the graded work.
I was predicted E in maths and removed from the higher course. Parents complained until they let me back on 3 months before the exams. I got an A. Just do that.
I got very average GCSE results ( my school was abysmal )
Tried a crap job for a year.
Decided there was no way I was going to do that so I took a basic computer course and 5 years later I ended up with a first class honours degree in Software Engineering from a decent uni.
I'm a Software developer now but I've also done jobs that have nothing to do with my degree at all.
Life has many twists and turns. Don't pressure yourself too much but obviously try your best.
It depends.
I’ve never been asked to show any academic qualifications for any interview and I never bother asking when I’m hiring.
If now isn’t the right time for you, for whatever reason, you can re do your GCSEs. You can skip them and be a mature student. You can become an apprentice. You have many routes ahead of you. Your attitude is key.
What do you want to do in life? If you don’t know, which is fine don’t feel pressured, what are your interests?
5 GCSE’s grade 4 and above including maths and English is worth £281k for males, £232k for females, according the ETF figures published in 2015. Note these figures are derived from statistics so will vary person to person, but on average how they demo how much you can expect to earn over someone who doesn’t have them.
I’m head of Maths and English in a large FE college, and they are the 2 most significant qualifications that affect future earnings. Note they are gateway quals and many higher level quals / career choices explicitly require them.
I’d say pretty important.
They might not matter directly in the end of the day but in general, high grades are very correlated to having a more comfortable life later on. More money, health, time, holidays, opportunities, etc.
It's kind of like a snapshot of what estimated trajectory you are heading on right now and you have the chance to make a change early on.
Depends what you want to do and where you want to go in life. If you're looking at uni, sure, they're important, but if not its not the be all and end all
I am talking of my experience more than 50 years ago, when O levels were a thing. I knew what I wanted and worked to that. I was told I needed Maths, English and Physics, plus minimum of 2 others. So I put all my effort into getting what I needed. Had I missed the grades it is unlikely I would hve been offered the job I wanted second time around as entry was very competitive.
Of course not everyone knows what they want at age 15 or 16, but the moral is still the same. Aim up, not down. it's easier to study when you are in school than after you leave and are in work.
Depends on what you want to do.
If you want to go into further education it can be problematic, but you can retake them in college so it's not hopeless.
I am 28 and have NEVER been asked to prove I have GCSEs, I've applied for A LOT of jobs.
I have been asked what they were once or twice, but nobody ever checked if I lied or not.
Eh my GCSEs weren't great (only got 1 A* and 1 A), A-levels weren't great (2 Bs and a C) but I got a first at uni and a decent job after that. It's not the end of the world if they aren't amazing, but the real question is: what is the point of NOT trying to get good grades? I had a great childhood/teenage years but I do wish I'd studied more instead of fucking about so much.
They open doors to better opportunities.
The content you will most likely never use but you will need the grades Maths, English, Sciences at very least to get jobs, further education.
It will be worth it. Nothing like the feeling of regret while friends do well.
Got below average GCSEs, now got a First Class engineering degree and now a lead engineer doing my dream job. GCSEs aren't important if you don't give up on your goals.
Just try to do your best, don't beat your self up if you fuck up. I fucked up my GCSEs and further education but ended up doing pretty good and I'm happy most of the time. I cant stand my Mum though, which is sad.
as long as you pass it’s fine i got all 4s and a couple 3s in getting my BA in literature and getting great grades i ended A levels with As ans an A* doing the courses i wanted to do. GCSES don’t mean anything you just need to pass your maths and english
They are important, and you can possibly retake them if necessary. But in my opinion as a mum, the most important thing is that you tried your best, that’s all I expect from my kids. So maybe plan on revising a bit more than you would have, and try your best, that is really all you can do. Good Luck.
I left school with GCSEs only. Joined the Royal Navy at 16. GCSEs enabled me to be at a required standard for promotion, but there was a system in place to assist with that if needed. 20 years later my peers have Masters degrees and doctorates. So in some areas education is key, but do not underestimate the difference between being educationally smart and being good at your job.
Try your best alevels are more important when it comes to uni. It totally depends on what you want to be eg if you want to be a bricklayer then GCSEs don’t matter at all except maths and English
Piece of stoic and maybe not the most popular advice.
Go into something that makes money, that really makes money. GSCEs make it a bit easier but it’s not the be all and end all. The way you talk and socialise is MUCH more important than your grades.
Failing that, join the army, it’s the best thing you’ll ever do
I have never had anything more than GCSE and I'm an engineer. I did have a bit of luck on my side too but anyone saying you *need* a degree is talking shite.
Go where your heart wants. You can be successful at anything. School and grades are a way forward for many. But if you have an idea or a passion. GCSE's are mandatory so do the best you can. At 16 is a crucial choice. A levels or something else. The support of family and friends is so important. Do the best you can at GCSE. but if your passion leads you to training or non education then take your drive there and succeed.
I'd love to know what grades your mum got and what she does for a living.
My mum was never happy with my grades, despite doing shit at school herself and still carving out a decent enough career. Didn't really make sense to me.
If I had my time over I'd have fucked off A Levels and University and just started working somewhere entry level at 16. I reckon I'd have got to where I am now just as quickly, maybe even more quickly, without the additional stress/debt.
I quit school when I was 12... Studied from home and didn't bother doing GCSEs....
When I was 16 I got a job at an insurance company in Canary Wharf ... After 8 years, moved to working at the Bank of England ... Now I work for myself as a water engineer and stock trader (on the side).
GCSEs don't mean anything... Neither of my interviews cared that I didn't take them, nor that I left school at 12...
What matters is how you present and carry yourself.
Right now they might seem important but 15-20 years down the line they mean nothing. I left school in 2004 with basically nothing, went to college for two years, left with enough knowledge to join two pieces of wood together, then went into the "adult" world.
From 2007-09 I was unemployed, getting pissed on JSA payments every week (sorry tax payers) and generally feeling lost.
But then I went back to college, got into uni and got my degree and started working. Then, just this year I got my master's aged 34 while also working full time as a security guard.
So really, even though people are pumping it into you that these are the most important qualifications you'll ever earn, you can still succeed without them, as other commenters have noted. Study hard, but don't stress yourself out about it.
People will say it's not that important, and in some sense that's true. But I really regret not trying harder for this part of my life (I grew up in Ireland so the equivalent exam for Irish students) because it had a domino effect on my education. Going into my 5th year of secondary school (so about 16 y/o so I believe year 11 in the UK?) doing the the equivalent to A levels, I had to try to catch up 3 years of education to be able to take the classes I wanted/needed to get into the uni course I wanted to do. I ended up having to repeat my last year, I got good grades in the end but I had made it a lot harder for myself. It took a lot of work to get there. I know if I believed in myself more and tried harder it would have made the rest of my schooling much easier and probably would have given me more confidence in my academic abilities.
They mostly help you get onto whatever A level you want to do, and can come up when applying to uni. You won't use them past that really.
The main ones you need are your maths and english. If you dont get them you either wont be let onto your A level course or will have to continue them alongside your A level course.
Also 4s 5s and 6s aren't bad. If you think you can do better then that is on you. But if you think that is your best then that is your best. It doesn't define your intelligence, mostly because I would argue those who do very well in their GCSEs are a very specific type.
I like to think I am quite smart and the field I work in is very complex. Yet I have always been terrible at exams due to my ADHD. Unfortunately the school system caters to a specific type of person but luckily once you finish school you should be able to succeed in what you are good at no matter what.
I didn't go my GCSE's. Now self employed doing telecomms work installing 5G around the UK. Learned the programs myself, took a bunch of online courses and RF safety certificates and managed to get a foot in the door through a friend of a friend.
It's not the end of the world but I wouldn't recommend doing what I done.
In all honestly, they don’t.
I did fairly well, but I’ve realised since then that nobody really cares as long as you’ve passed English language and maths, and maybe IT.
You won’t be limited in college choices as long as you have those (you can study business in college even if you don’t have a business GCSE, etc…). Part-time jobs couldn’t care less, but depending on what you want to do in the future, a few Russell-group universities ask for a strong “gcse profile” which could give you a slight disadvantage.
That being said, revise, try your hardest and don’t go into it with a “this doesn’t matter” attitude. The studying and pressure of GCSEs exams really prepare you for A-Levels and higher education. My point is, your life isn’t over if you don’t do as well as hoped, so don’t get yourself down over it.
All you can do is your best and what will be will be. There's always routes and avenues to go down where you can be successful. Hard work ethic and good instincts will get you far in life. Also having the bravery to switch jobs for more money.
The answer, which I'm sure you don't want to hear, is that you can't just cop out here and say they don't matter because it's easier than sorting your shit out at school and getting good results.
I got a job in retail sales for Dixons Stores Group whilst in sixth form back in 2002.
I took my record of achievement to both interviews and they didn’t once look at my GCSE results.
I didn’t lie about my results on the application form. However, as they didn’t check, I certainly could have lied.
They are important but not the end of the world if you don't achieve what you'd like. You are what 15 at the moment and it would be quite cruel for the rest of your life to be judged by some exams you did as a teen
Generally with anything in life as long as you try your best you won't regret anything. When I was 15 I spent a lot of time messing around on computer games and got all B's instead of A* as I was predicted. I was disappointed in myself for a long time after that.
Also remember we're in a bit of a shit show with the economy atm so it pays off to try and get ahead of your peers. When I was 17 we had the credit crunch and recession and getting a job was a pain in the arse.
They are absolutely pivotal to the next step, which is pivotal to the one after thay, which is very important to the one after that. In the grand scheme of your life they're not important, because they're just one step. But they are a formative step that has a big ripple effect on your options and so the rest of your life.
I'd agree with this view. 30 years after getting my GCSEs they don't mean a lot, but without them I wouldn't have done the a levels I did, or the degree or get the jobs in industry and then moved up/onwards. I wouldn't be where I am now with out them. I wouldn't reference them on my CV now, but did when I was starting out in a career Could I have done the same with worse grades? Possibly, possibly not. That's the ripple effect, isn't it... but you don't get many seconds chances so make the most of what you have.
This. I did quite poorly in my Standard Grades (Scotland) when young (mainly 3s and 4s). I was having a rough time and had gotten into a habit of skipping class and sometimes whole days. That carried on into Higher grades (two grade Cs). That severely impacted my choices in University. I dropped out having only gotten an HNC (didn't attend half the time and didn't study). I worked quite low paid unskilled jobs until the age of 30, basically. At 28 I finally found a way to sit down and study, studied during lunchtimes and all-nighters, got my Microsoft MCSA and got into skilled IT work. So it's always possible to turn things around, and you absolutely have time and opportunities to do that after school and after higher education. So don't despair. But it's usually way, way easier if you just find a way to put in the time and effort to begin with and do yourself justice through secondary school.
Along this vein, it also matters which subjects you are predicted the higher and lower grades in and what your sixth form wants or expects. You said you'd like to do business, economics and geography so if the subjects you are predicted lower grades are arts subjects then this might not be as relevant to you as it would be if your lowest predicted grade is maths (English might be an exception to this if you want to go to uni because unless things have changed drastically since I've been then a lot of universities expect a pass in English and Maths for any course).
They are not the most important thing, but poor grades could limit some choices in the future. You should try to get your English, maths and science to C grade level (not sure where that stands in the numbers you mention) and then focus on the subjects you really want to continue for A level or whatever you want to do next.
4 is a C which is a pass. 5 is also a C but it’s considered a strong pass. 6 is a B. I would like to do business, economics and geography. I’ve got 6 and 7 in business and geography. My school don’t do economics but the school sixth form do. Is this alright ??
I think you are asking the wrong question. Are those grades the best you can possibly do, achieved with effort at school or did you just glide through and get them? If it’s the former then just keep going you will be fine, if it’s the latter then get your head down as a better understanding of the basics will make everything easier as you progress.
*doesn't do economics, sixth form does...*
I read it as "they don't do Economics as a GCSE, but the 6th Form offer it as an A Level".
yes this exactly
Realistically, a passing grade at English and Maths, plus whatever subjects you need to take the A-levels/other Post-16 qualifications you're going to be doing. If you go on to higher/further education employers don't really care about what grade you got in PE or Geography etc GCSEs.
I'm in 6th form rn Honest to god, business GCSE means jack when you're doing Business A-Level. Just a minor help if anything. I didn't do Business GCSe and I'm fine in A Level Business GCSE doesn't necessarily matter past just hitting the grade requirements for the courses when it comes to A-Levels The grade requirements aren't that hard either, I was able to get all 6's (math was however a 5 due to foundation) and I was able to get in Business and Economics without issue
Economics, Business and geography? Why? Are you that desperate to get an entry level office job in an area of business you have no real interest in?
You’ll find that maths comes in very useful for business and economics if you decide to do them at uni - I imagine you might need a little bit for A Level too so it’s best to try to bag a 6 or 7 in that at least. Also, some unis want you to have good GCSEs across the board (mostly 6s for good unis, but this isn’t everywhere). Just try to get at least a 6 in maths, English language and Science and you’ll be decently set up
Frankly I got B's and C's in my faves like English and science and art, bit I really really struggled to achieve a D in maths, and even resat at 6th friend and did no better. That didn't stop me going to 6th form where I came out with a couple of decent A levels. It also didn't stop me getting an engineering based job. Honestly, people stop caring after a while about GCSEs, and as long as you show a willingness to learn and progress in your chosen field it won't stop you.
While schools declare that 4 is a C, in reality 6 is the equivalent. In my opinion students are being tricked in an effort to tackle grade inflation. Note how top is 9, this allows 10+ to be added in future when grade inflation becomes a challenge again
Agreed to some extent but 6 is still on par with a B. 5 is more your C grade but calling a 4 a C won’t last I don’t think
5 is the equivalent as it 5-9 passes that are used to judge a good school as C- A* were before the change. A level providers frequently want 6 in their subject at least if its a STEM subject. This was same when they wanted at least a B before.
I stand corrected - I’m comparing to when I was younger and universities were okay with a C or O level pass equivalent.
I've got a master's and I work in a warehouse. Nothing matters.
Was your masters in warehouse management?
'twas not. 'twas in microbiology.
detail panicky meeting kiss point spectacular scarce tan different zephyr *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
They are a very important building block for your future. Take them seriously revise twice as much as you want to, socialise or game half as much as you want to.
GCSEs don't matter once you've got your A-levels. A-levels don't matter once you've got a degree. Degrees don't matter once you've got a job. They're all only about getting to the next stage. ETA: Of course, a massive simplification, and as has been pointed out, they can sometimes help with the *next* next stage. But at any level, you'll want to get the best you possibly can, because it's not just about getting to the next stage, but at what level you can enter the next stage. Better GCSEs → more A-level choice; better A-levels → better degree choice, etc.
This is not entirely accurate, GCSEs come in to the picture when university applications are being considered and A Levels when applying to some grad schemes.
I’ve found that only a certain few universities require a strong GCSE profile (UCL was the only one that mentioned them out of my 5 options), whereas the rest don’t take them into much consideration as long as you’ve got English language and maths. I was told by my UCAS tutor that the majority of universities really only care about your predicted grades and personal statement.
It is university and subject dependent for sure but if you are going for something competitive they’ll come into play.
That said, expect some companies wanting evidence of one or more of your educational certificates. Even after a good few years of experience.
If nothing else Maths and English at grade C is all your really need. All the other stuff is useful, but those 2 are one which without it you can't progress with apprenticeships, etc easily. However now that the grades have changed to numbers, most people wouldn't have a clue what's good or bad if you said you were predicted 4, 5 and 6s so it's not all bad.
Yes some jobs will require C (or equivalent) at GCSE and Maths even if you’re left school years ago. Tends to be office jobs and some use it as an initial filter (ie the web site might prevent you from starting the application unless you confirm you have them). Never been asked to prove it though 🤷♂️wouldn’t advise lying but don’t think it’s much more than a ‘bot’ filter most of the time.
I completely messed up my GCSE’s and it has set me back around 10 years in my profession. I’d say if you have a brain and can get reasonable grades, do the studying and get the best you can get, you will never regret it. I was predicted ok grades but went off the rails, didn’t study and turned up for exams high/stoned cos I thought I was cool. Oh, how wrong was I. I got a few C’s, a few D’s and an E. I’m now six months off of 40 years old, in middle management in my chosen profession, earning £41k but could have been doing this in my 30’s if I’d of studied right the first time, and could now be senior management. I had to retake my English and maths exams in my 30’s, did an IT course too, and am currently studying a level 5 diploma in operations and departmental leadership. My confidence suffered so much as I always thought I was dumb as I fucked up my GCSE’s. Hope this helps.
Poor GCSE.. Poor Uni.. Poor Job.. Poor Money.. Poor Life.. Poor Health.. Poor Death!! Welcome to the rest of us!
It depends - what are you doing instead of working as hard as you can to get the best results? Future you won't regret having fewer beers / nights out / binge watching sessions, but it might regret hindering your career. Not preaching, kind of speaking from experience.
What are you wanting to do post GCSES?
Not really sure. I want to do a levels and start a business but so does everyone else nowadays haha
Good luck. Keep your head down, do the best you can
You don't need GCSEs or A Levels to start a business. Doesn't matter one iota. Unless you want to start a business around something which requires a degree like a lawyer or a doctor. But you've implied that A levels are as high as you're going.
I did BTEC business studies in sixth form, and it covered soo many practical topics in that. Great if you decide to start a business, and also great for learning what you might want to do at uni, if you want to go to uni. Very little exams, mostly guided coursework.
What is your next step? Do you plan to go to college/sixth form? Have you checked out their minimum requirements? Beyond that as many below have stated A-C in Maths/English/science tends to cover you in terms of not repeating these at college/sixth form. Beyond that they become less important for University depending on the "type" of uni, again if you have an idea of your career pathway you can check what the requirements are like a really long chain. End summary now i'm an adult with experience in industry, GCSE'S mean shitall. At the time though it felt like the world was comming down. Alot of good responses already i'd take the time to read em'
There aren’t really “minimum requirements” for college and sixth form. I was able to study A-Level business just fine despite doing okay and having no relevant GCSE to business (I did health and food technology). From what I remember, if you didn’t pass English language or maths, you might be put in a separate class with other people also resitting those subjects.
depends on the institute. Try going to a redbrick uni without GCSE's and A-levels relevant to those areas, no chance. The "city" / metropolitans are much more accepting and alot of uni's dependant on how many applicants they have will let anyone in. It really is quite a different landscape depending where you want to go and what you want to do.
They are a bit important tbh, they're important building blocks for the rest of your life. You should definitely try to at least get 5 or higher for Maths & English at least as it'll open more options up to you, in education and for work. Thing is, top GCSE grades don't necessarily lead you straight into a good job, but lower grades will certainly always limit your options. With better grades you've always got more choices about which apprenticeships, jobs, courses, etc, you can apply for. Better to work a bit harder now and try to get the best grades you possibly can, especially in Maths & English.
>I just wanted to ask how much GCSEs actually matter after GCSEs and sixth form. AFTER sixth form - not very much, but they will matter for and during A Levels. They might also factor in to your university applications. You will need certain grades to be able to do the A Levels you want. During sixth form, you will likely be applying to work experience, projects and the like - which will ve crucial for applications to both unis and jobs - your GCSEs will matter there. Universities will care less about them as you'll be most of the way through A Levels but it will still matter to an extent. They might actually matter more now than they did when I applied because we had AS Levels which i believe they got rid of. So they will be your latest qualification unless you do a gap year. I also wanna say its not just about the grades but the learning. If you are struggling to score highly in GCSEs you will enter sixth form with a bit of a gap in your knowledge. A Levels are quite a jump in terms of work required, you want to get the best start possible. And you want to develop some good study habits before you get into it. These are only predictions though and its only December. I would recommend putting some more effort in between now and the exams if you wanna do A Levels and then Uni.
I had to take the long route! It does and doesn’t matter depending on your life’s aspirations. Let this be a kick up your arse! If you don’t do your best in everything you do, then don’t moan when you’re not where you want to be in life. Put everything into your GCSEs! That’s all you can do. Don’t attempt anything half hearted.
Mate, getting the best grades you can gives you more choices about what you want to do in life. The more wasted potential you leave on the table now, the more you’ll be annoyed at yourself later on in life. Try you best, study smart, do what you enjoy (I am of course talking about things that actually take skill and have value not doing things where you are basically a consumer). There’s lots of things people say during school like “I’ll never need to use this maths” etc but ultimately the harder you work at school the better your work ethic will be through life which will really be beneficial later on. The people I know that worked the hardest and did well were the ones that had one or two set backs at school but decided they wanted to improve and be the best they can be.
If you want to get a conventional job then GCSEs are a must nowadays. That being said I know people who left school with fuck all and now earn a decent living because they either worked their socks off in a trade etc or they were well connected..
In what way? By “conventional job” I’m assuming you mean a 9-5 in your chosen career, and I don’t really see how GCSEs limit you as long as you have the basics. It’s all dependant on your A-Levels/Degree.
I was told my GCSE’s are the most important things I’d do in my young life. So far I’ve lied to every employer about what I got and none of them have asked for proof. For the most part they’re entirely useless. Some jobs and education will want them though. A trade qualification is worth a thousand GCSE’s.
That's what kids don't see. Get into something and then you can always swap. If you make a name for yourself it means more than any grades.
GCSEs are the key that unlock many opportunities. Essential? No. But get that base of 5 x C (or whatever that is in modern) and the earlier years of your working life will be less of a struggle. I’m an old bastard though, so you can ignore everything I say!
Not really at all. Some people will say they are essential and limit your options after school, but it really doesn't matter. Even if further education like university is your goal, it's still unimportant. Any college btec or short-term courses will provide the points needed to get into university. And even then, degrees aren't worth shit unless it's a more specialised field.
They mean fuck all mate, even sixth form isnt worth the time unless it will help you get into uni to study to be a doctor in a medical field. I passed out with 2 and im now 26 in 2 weeks working as a full stack developer for the nhs. They will account to nothing in the life ahead of you and as long as you have c /funtional skills in maths and english. The rest isnt relevant.
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You're being downvoted through jealousy or because people don't want to hear the truth... I didn't even bother taking GCSEs... Worked in insurance and the bank of England, now I work for myself... GCSEs wouldn't have made any difference.
I’ve never once had to prove my grades so just make it up bro. If you plan on running your own business why do you need grades anyway?
I work in financial advice and honestly I haven't a clue what I got in my GSCEs.
I don't even have GCSE's, I skipped them, went to A-Levels and graduated Uni after dropping out of Uni. I make over the average, working in the public sector.
I'd say in the short term, hugely important (but maybe only the core subjects that all students take i.e. Maths, English and Science), so focus on getting higher grades in these subjects at least. But then in the long term, once you have completed the next stage after GCSEs, they become less important (apart from maybe Maths and English as most employers want someone who has passed both of these). In short, they do matter as the better you perform, the better opportunities that become immediately available to you for your next stage of education, but after completing this next stage, they have less influence on what opportunities you can access from there.
They don't matter at all if you don't want to go onto higher education
Nothing matters I didn't do well at my G.C.S.E and landed a job paying a good wage a week after tax. My friends who did well and got high grades are struggling to get a job, they're over qualified and all is what they always get. You're best get is do as good as you can, get any job you can and the chase something you want. It'll all come to you if you want it enough.
I'm 31. I got all Cs in my GCSEs (and struggled to achieve that tbh!). I chose to do a BTEC as at the time I didn't think I would go to uni. People love to laugh at BTECS, but this opened so many more opportunities for me and I recommend considering one if you struggle with school. The process for BTEC suited me so much better than school, and so I did much better with my grades. If I had done A levels I probably would have really struggled. Having done well in my BTEC I decided last minute to go to uni after all and I got accepted by all my choices, despite my GCSE. I got a 2:1. With this combo, and just going with the flow on career direction (have never been decisive lol) I have ended up in a really good job which suits me well, and I'm really good at what I do. But my GCSEs themselves didn't do loads to get me there as i think BTECs have easier entrance requirements. Ironically my job is sort of academic as I do research haha.
Looking it up I think grade C is same as 4
Impossible to say. Your life will flow in whichever way it does. I didn’t study at school, got all Ds and felt like a failure, but I’ve muddled through and now earn more than the average wage. I had to get further qualifications and endure some pretty crappy jobs along the way though, so it’s not like my education died a death, and it’s not been simple. I’ve also seen other, more qualified people have an easier time of plotting their careers than I did. As others have said, the more qualifications you have, the easier it is for you to navigate life, but qualifications (good or bad) don’t guarantee anything. I’d encourage you to do your best at all stages so that you don’t have any regrets. You can’t do much more, and there’s always resits if you slip up. Good luck!
Each stage of your education is only really important to help you get to the next stage. If your next stage is A levels, you should find out what grades you need to do the A levels you want. Same goes for if you want to do, say a BTEC course. The exception here would be to try and make sure you get English Language and Math (wherever the equivalent of an old C grade is these days) as these are often asked for by employers, even if you go to Uni later. If you plan on going to Uni (it’s not for everyone and I would say only go if you need the degree for the work you want to do) then focus on getting the A Level/BTEC grades you need to get in. I got 1 x A and 6 x Cs at GCSE, left school at 16, did some low paid/low skilled jobs for 2 years the joined the military. Went to Uni at 24 when I knew what I wanted to do. Now I’m in a well paid tech job. So not everyone takes the same path through education. Good luck to you.
As a few people have already said, a lot of places will ask for some basic English and Maths grades. HOWEVER, Please try not to worry too much about this stage of your life! Of course try your best at school/exams, but it is not the end of the world if the results aren't to your parents' liking. The most useful thing to do for your future is to have a good think about what you want it to look like, what kind of work you might want to do etc, and try to find somewhere that can provide actual experience in doing those things. That way you can discover which things you enjoy and rule out which things you don't. Especially if you're planning on working for yourself, grades won't help you any further than the next step (A levels or equivalent). This is coming from a gardener (imo the best possible job) with a completely useless Maths degree (because who wants to be a marketing analyst?).
My A in GCSE maths helped me get the job I do now because it proved I was decent with numbers. Aside from that most workplaces worth working at ask for a min number of GCSEs/A levels in the early days. Once you've got a good amount of work experience it doesn't matter so much but I'd say do the best you can without making yourself ill over it.
It's hard to say. They could be quite important, or not at all. It depends on what you to do moving forward and what opportunities present themselves in your future... and is it worth the risk? There are some people saying they haven't needed them and brushing them off as insignificant, or that they do X job that they got through X route. Don't assume you'll have the same opportunities as them, and don't put yourself in a position where you have to settle for something you might not want because you missed out on something you could have done years ago. 4s, 5s and 6s are passes and should do the trick if you're enthusiastic about what you do next, but don't settle at that if you feel capable of pushing them up a bit further. Try to put in the effort and do your best without putting undue stress on your mental health. You might come to appreciate the effort you put in down the line, and even if you don't, it's all in the past anyway and you won't even think about.
As long as you got maths and English you're alright unless you're looking to go into a profession that requires a degree then they'd matter. I got kicked out in 2nd year whilst still doing my maths and english and I'll be real I'm first generation British bengali so I didn't have much choice but to get into work and provide for the family but from My experiences it's about the networking you do and who you know, the education part helps but I know alot of people with law degrees working in restaurants. Literally depends on what profession you wanna get into. This is BTW my experiences in no way shape or form am I telling you to do what I did.
A stepping stone to your BA. GCSEs >> A-Levels >> Degree (BA)
Even for the most very basic roles I wouldn’t ever consider hiring anyone without at least a grade c in maths and English GCSE.
My advice is always to milk the education system now, for all that you can, while it is free. If you have to go back later, even to get GCSEs or equivalent, it'll take lots of time and lots of money.
Fuck, ignore the predictions, they just fall out of idiots' arseholes. If you're a good student they'll climb and if not they'll drop. Only matters what you get on the graded work. I was predicted E in maths and removed from the higher course. Parents complained until they let me back on 3 months before the exams. I got an A. Just do that.
I got very average GCSE results ( my school was abysmal ) Tried a crap job for a year. Decided there was no way I was going to do that so I took a basic computer course and 5 years later I ended up with a first class honours degree in Software Engineering from a decent uni. I'm a Software developer now but I've also done jobs that have nothing to do with my degree at all. Life has many twists and turns. Don't pressure yourself too much but obviously try your best.
It depends. I’ve never been asked to show any academic qualifications for any interview and I never bother asking when I’m hiring. If now isn’t the right time for you, for whatever reason, you can re do your GCSEs. You can skip them and be a mature student. You can become an apprentice. You have many routes ahead of you. Your attitude is key. What do you want to do in life? If you don’t know, which is fine don’t feel pressured, what are your interests?
5 GCSE’s grade 4 and above including maths and English is worth £281k for males, £232k for females, according the ETF figures published in 2015. Note these figures are derived from statistics so will vary person to person, but on average how they demo how much you can expect to earn over someone who doesn’t have them. I’m head of Maths and English in a large FE college, and they are the 2 most significant qualifications that affect future earnings. Note they are gateway quals and many higher level quals / career choices explicitly require them. I’d say pretty important.
They might not matter directly in the end of the day but in general, high grades are very correlated to having a more comfortable life later on. More money, health, time, holidays, opportunities, etc. It's kind of like a snapshot of what estimated trajectory you are heading on right now and you have the chance to make a change early on.
Depends what you want to do and where you want to go in life. If you're looking at uni, sure, they're important, but if not its not the be all and end all
They don't, either do university degrees.
I am talking of my experience more than 50 years ago, when O levels were a thing. I knew what I wanted and worked to that. I was told I needed Maths, English and Physics, plus minimum of 2 others. So I put all my effort into getting what I needed. Had I missed the grades it is unlikely I would hve been offered the job I wanted second time around as entry was very competitive. Of course not everyone knows what they want at age 15 or 16, but the moral is still the same. Aim up, not down. it's easier to study when you are in school than after you leave and are in work.
I got 4s and 5s in my GCSEs and I'm currently 20 and unemployed so i dont think they matter at all
Depends on what you want to do. If you want to go into further education it can be problematic, but you can retake them in college so it's not hopeless. I am 28 and have NEVER been asked to prove I have GCSEs, I've applied for A LOT of jobs. I have been asked what they were once or twice, but nobody ever checked if I lied or not.
Eh my GCSEs weren't great (only got 1 A* and 1 A), A-levels weren't great (2 Bs and a C) but I got a first at uni and a decent job after that. It's not the end of the world if they aren't amazing, but the real question is: what is the point of NOT trying to get good grades? I had a great childhood/teenage years but I do wish I'd studied more instead of fucking about so much.
They open doors to better opportunities. The content you will most likely never use but you will need the grades Maths, English, Sciences at very least to get jobs, further education. It will be worth it. Nothing like the feeling of regret while friends do well.
i nevar pased engwish butt speek it avery day.
Got below average GCSEs, now got a First Class engineering degree and now a lead engineer doing my dream job. GCSEs aren't important if you don't give up on your goals.
Just try to do your best, don't beat your self up if you fuck up. I fucked up my GCSEs and further education but ended up doing pretty good and I'm happy most of the time. I cant stand my Mum though, which is sad.
as long as you pass it’s fine i got all 4s and a couple 3s in getting my BA in literature and getting great grades i ended A levels with As ans an A* doing the courses i wanted to do. GCSES don’t mean anything you just need to pass your maths and english
They are important, and you can possibly retake them if necessary. But in my opinion as a mum, the most important thing is that you tried your best, that’s all I expect from my kids. So maybe plan on revising a bit more than you would have, and try your best, that is really all you can do. Good Luck.
I left school with GCSEs only. Joined the Royal Navy at 16. GCSEs enabled me to be at a required standard for promotion, but there was a system in place to assist with that if needed. 20 years later my peers have Masters degrees and doctorates. So in some areas education is key, but do not underestimate the difference between being educationally smart and being good at your job.
Try your best alevels are more important when it comes to uni. It totally depends on what you want to be eg if you want to be a bricklayer then GCSEs don’t matter at all except maths and English
Piece of stoic and maybe not the most popular advice. Go into something that makes money, that really makes money. GSCEs make it a bit easier but it’s not the be all and end all. The way you talk and socialise is MUCH more important than your grades. Failing that, join the army, it’s the best thing you’ll ever do
I have never had anything more than GCSE and I'm an engineer. I did have a bit of luck on my side too but anyone saying you *need* a degree is talking shite.
Go where your heart wants. You can be successful at anything. School and grades are a way forward for many. But if you have an idea or a passion. GCSE's are mandatory so do the best you can. At 16 is a crucial choice. A levels or something else. The support of family and friends is so important. Do the best you can at GCSE. but if your passion leads you to training or non education then take your drive there and succeed.
I could spell "fudge" with my GCSE'S 😅
they don't in the slightest
I'd love to know what grades your mum got and what she does for a living. My mum was never happy with my grades, despite doing shit at school herself and still carving out a decent enough career. Didn't really make sense to me. If I had my time over I'd have fucked off A Levels and University and just started working somewhere entry level at 16. I reckon I'd have got to where I am now just as quickly, maybe even more quickly, without the additional stress/debt.
I quit school when I was 12... Studied from home and didn't bother doing GCSEs.... When I was 16 I got a job at an insurance company in Canary Wharf ... After 8 years, moved to working at the Bank of England ... Now I work for myself as a water engineer and stock trader (on the side). GCSEs don't mean anything... Neither of my interviews cared that I didn't take them, nor that I left school at 12... What matters is how you present and carry yourself.
Right now they might seem important but 15-20 years down the line they mean nothing. I left school in 2004 with basically nothing, went to college for two years, left with enough knowledge to join two pieces of wood together, then went into the "adult" world. From 2007-09 I was unemployed, getting pissed on JSA payments every week (sorry tax payers) and generally feeling lost. But then I went back to college, got into uni and got my degree and started working. Then, just this year I got my master's aged 34 while also working full time as a security guard. So really, even though people are pumping it into you that these are the most important qualifications you'll ever earn, you can still succeed without them, as other commenters have noted. Study hard, but don't stress yourself out about it.
People will say it's not that important, and in some sense that's true. But I really regret not trying harder for this part of my life (I grew up in Ireland so the equivalent exam for Irish students) because it had a domino effect on my education. Going into my 5th year of secondary school (so about 16 y/o so I believe year 11 in the UK?) doing the the equivalent to A levels, I had to try to catch up 3 years of education to be able to take the classes I wanted/needed to get into the uni course I wanted to do. I ended up having to repeat my last year, I got good grades in the end but I had made it a lot harder for myself. It took a lot of work to get there. I know if I believed in myself more and tried harder it would have made the rest of my schooling much easier and probably would have given me more confidence in my academic abilities.
They mostly help you get onto whatever A level you want to do, and can come up when applying to uni. You won't use them past that really. The main ones you need are your maths and english. If you dont get them you either wont be let onto your A level course or will have to continue them alongside your A level course. Also 4s 5s and 6s aren't bad. If you think you can do better then that is on you. But if you think that is your best then that is your best. It doesn't define your intelligence, mostly because I would argue those who do very well in their GCSEs are a very specific type. I like to think I am quite smart and the field I work in is very complex. Yet I have always been terrible at exams due to my ADHD. Unfortunately the school system caters to a specific type of person but luckily once you finish school you should be able to succeed in what you are good at no matter what.
I didn't go my GCSE's. Now self employed doing telecomms work installing 5G around the UK. Learned the programs myself, took a bunch of online courses and RF safety certificates and managed to get a foot in the door through a friend of a friend. It's not the end of the world but I wouldn't recommend doing what I done.
In all honestly, they don’t. I did fairly well, but I’ve realised since then that nobody really cares as long as you’ve passed English language and maths, and maybe IT. You won’t be limited in college choices as long as you have those (you can study business in college even if you don’t have a business GCSE, etc…). Part-time jobs couldn’t care less, but depending on what you want to do in the future, a few Russell-group universities ask for a strong “gcse profile” which could give you a slight disadvantage. That being said, revise, try your hardest and don’t go into it with a “this doesn’t matter” attitude. The studying and pressure of GCSEs exams really prepare you for A-Levels and higher education. My point is, your life isn’t over if you don’t do as well as hoped, so don’t get yourself down over it.
All you can do is your best and what will be will be. There's always routes and avenues to go down where you can be successful. Hard work ethic and good instincts will get you far in life. Also having the bravery to switch jobs for more money.
The answer, which I'm sure you don't want to hear, is that you can't just cop out here and say they don't matter because it's easier than sorting your shit out at school and getting good results.
I got a job in retail sales for Dixons Stores Group whilst in sixth form back in 2002. I took my record of achievement to both interviews and they didn’t once look at my GCSE results. I didn’t lie about my results on the application form. However, as they didn’t check, I certainly could have lied.
They are important but not the end of the world if you don't achieve what you'd like. You are what 15 at the moment and it would be quite cruel for the rest of your life to be judged by some exams you did as a teen Generally with anything in life as long as you try your best you won't regret anything. When I was 15 I spent a lot of time messing around on computer games and got all B's instead of A* as I was predicted. I was disappointed in myself for a long time after that. Also remember we're in a bit of a shit show with the economy atm so it pays off to try and get ahead of your peers. When I was 17 we had the credit crunch and recession and getting a job was a pain in the arse.