My sister’s GCSE results 2024

My sister just found out her GCSE results, and I can tell that she’s a bit disappointed especially that she wanted 9s, 8s and 7s. However she didn’t get a single 9 (she got some 8s), her lowest grade is 5 and did kind of bad in some subjects that she expected (and was predicted) to get 8s, 9s.

Now, as a younger sister who is a perfectionist and has looked up to her older sister, this caught me off guard because I always assumed that she would get the best grades possible and I would just try to get to her level.
I get good grades in my tests but so did my sister.

I don’t know what to do. Will I repeat the cycle and be disappointed like she is? I don’t understand how I’m supposed to do well especially that I’ve grown up thinking that academically, she would do better than me and that everything I do is superficial.

Reply 1

04MR17

Volunteer Section Leader, Clearing and Applications Advisor

Original post by deliascutaru

I don't believe in destiny, you are different humans with different brains and will be sitting different papers. Therefore, you are capable of different results. :yep:

It is lovely though that you look up to and think so highly of your sister, this has been very wholesome to read. :heart:

It sounds like your sister set very high expectations of herself - which can be great (some people have incredibly low expectations and are determined to make them happen). However, I'm telling you and her that unless you're after a very very competitive pathway in the future (like Dentistry, or Oxford) then passes in English and Maths and the right grades for your post 16 courses are the only things you will need out of your GCSE results.

I'm 25 and I've yet to be asked about my B grade in GCSE Drama. Or my A* grade in Spanish. Results don't define you, and results don't define your sister.

#FindYourFuture

Reply 2

Fluffartist

Original post by deliascutaru

My sister just found out her GCSE results, and I can tell that she’s a bit disappointed especially that she wanted 9s, 8s and 7s. However she didn’t get a single 9 (she got some 8s), her lowest grade is 5 and did kind of bad in some subjects that she expected (and was predicted) to get 8s, 9s.
Now, as a younger sister who is a perfectionist and has looked up to her older sister, this caught me off guard because I always assumed that she would get the best grades possible and I would just try to get to her level.
I get good grades in my tests but so did my sister.
I don’t know what to do. Will I repeat the cycle and be disappointed like she is? I don’t understand how I’m supposed to do well especially that I’ve grown up thinking that academically, she would do better than me and that everything I do is superficial.

Things like this can happen. She may have been working at her hardest and the best she achieved is what she got. She may have expected 9s across the board but grade boundaries unfortunately fluctuate, and by the sounds of it the results she got are still very good and will open up almost every opportunity she could hope for. You have to remember that top grades are only a bonus and even with 8s, 7s, 6s - and 5s - you can literally do almost anything. It's probably hard but you have to encourage her to look at the positives. I didn't get a single 9 either, but I got a few 8s, and that makes me incredibly happy, even with my high standards.

In terms of you, though, even if you're in year 10 you still have plenty of time to boost your grades. I started the year off with a 5 in maths and expected it to be my lowest grade with maths never coming naturally to me, but I ended up boosting my grade by 2 in just under 6 months. It's hard work, but it's so, so worth it in the end. If you work hard, you will receive the grades that you want. Just because you looked up to your sister and she didn't get the results either of you expected, doesn't mean you have to follow in her footsteps and get similar grades. If you want to aim higher and achieve 9s across the board, there is still plenty of time for you to work for them.