All You Need to Know About A-level Retakes

How many times can I retake my exams?

Under the current system, you can only retake each exam once. In 2012 the biggest British exam board, AQA, found that the number of A grades achieved rose significantly after retakes, with one student even sitting the same module 29 times. It was partly due to this issue that the government decided to move away from the module system so that the A-level wasn’t broken into smaller chunks that could be resat several times. This linear system means that, in most cases, you will have to retake the entire A-level even if it was only one exam that you were unhappy with. The system as it stands at the moment is certainly more difficult to retake and improve your grade compared to previous iterations, so really think about whether it is the best option for you.

Students taking the International Baccalaureate

As with A-levels, you can retake any and all of your IB subjects if you wish. Exams are taken in November and May, and each exam can be taken a maximum of 3 times. This means that for a candidate who originally sat an exam in May, they can resit the exam the same November and the following May. Be sure to speak to your IB programme coordinator before you make a decision about resits, as they can advise you on your specific situation.

Can I still get into a top university?

Almost all universities, including Oxford and Cambridge, officially accept exam resits, meaning that there’s no chance of being barred from applying. However, the university will be aware that you’ve achieved the grade by resitting, and so may affect your chances of receiving an offer. Universities may ask that you explain the situation behind your resits and to give extenuating circumstances as to why you didn’t achieve the required grades the first time around. For example, Oxford Undergraduate Admissions ask candidates to state in their personal statement or in their school reference as to why resits where necessary so that they can take the reasons into consideration. Examples of legitimate extenuating circumstances may include:

• A significant disruption caused by a change of school
• Severe discontinuity of teachers
• Bereavement
• Serious illness

Similarly, Cambridge states that “there would be concern about an applicant’s potential to be successful at Cambridge if their application had indicated a need to resit numerous exams.”

It’s important to bear in mind that universities are all about offering places to the best candidates, so it’s in their best interest to understand fully how your grades may have been affected by circumstances outside of your control. Of course this is a positive thing if you’ve got good reason for your retakes, however if there are no such circumstances then retakes might be taken into account against your applications.