The Student Room Group

Remark or retake GCSEs?

I got my results today, and although I was okay with most of them, I’m really disappointed about a couple of my grades. I have gotten into sixth form, and I’m hoping to do Bio, Chem and Maths and thinking of Medicine or Dentistry in future. Do you think I should get these grades remarked, or would it be better to resit them?

History - 5 😭😭😭(I was one mark off a 6. Earlier I was predicted an 8 and in my February mocks I got a 9 but the most revision I’ve ever done for History is cramming the day of or the day before the exam, usually because I prioritise other subjects. I can only say it serves me right for not revising.)
English language - 6 🥲 (7 marks off a 7, I’m thinking I should retake because I’ve heard English Language plays a huge role in careers. Achieved an 8 in my mocks, but in the actual exam I barely finished half of both papers due to terrible timing…)

For reference, my other grades are:
8 - Business
8 - Mathematics
8 - Chemistry (separate)
8 - Physics (separate)
8 - Chinese Mandarin
9 - Biology (separate)
9 - English Literature

I’d really appreciate any honest feedback and advice…

Reply 1

Original post by Bing_.Bong
I got my results today, and although I was okay with most of them, I’m really disappointed about a couple of my grades. I have gotten into sixth form, and I’m hoping to do Bio, Chem and Maths and thinking of Medicine or Dentistry in future. Do you think I should get these grades remarked, or would it be better to resit them?
History - 5 😭😭😭(I was one mark off a 6. Earlier I was predicted an 8 and in my February mocks I got a 9 but the most revision I’ve ever done for History is cramming the day of or the day before the exam, usually because I prioritise other subjects. I can only say it serves me right for not revising.)
English language - 6 🥲 (7 marks off a 7, I’m thinking I should retake because I’ve heard English Language plays a huge role in careers. Achieved an 8 in my mocks, but in the actual exam I barely finished half of both papers due to terrible timing…)
For reference, my other grades are:
8 - Business
8 - Mathematics
8 - Chemistry (separate)
8 - Physics (separate)
8 - Chinese Mandarin
9 - Biology (separate)
9 - English Literature
I’d really appreciate any honest feedback and advice…

History is probably worth getting remarks for, decent chance it raises your grade. I wouldn't bother with a remark though because it's not at all related to your actual options. English Language I agree is more important but ultimately universities won't care about it too much as long as you have a 6. It won't stop you from getting an Oxbridge interview. However it might be worth a retake because there isn't much "content" so you wouldn't really need to revise it, so you shouldn't lose that much time for your A-Levels, and if your main issue really was timing you should be able to get at least a 7 quite easily. Again you could get it remarked too but I doubt it will take you to a 7, so if you really want it you should probably just retake it eventually.

Reply 2

Original post by Phelena
History is probably worth getting remarks for, decent chance it raises your grade. I wouldn't bother with a remark though because it's not at all related to your actual options. English Language I agree is more important but ultimately universities won't care about it too much as long as you have a 6. It won't stop you from getting an Oxbridge interview. However it might be worth a retake because there isn't much "content" so you wouldn't really need to revise it, so you shouldn't lose that much time for your A-Levels, and if your main issue really was timing you should be able to get at least a 7 quite easily. Again you could get it remarked too but I doubt it will take you to a 7, so if you really want it you should probably just retake it eventually.


Thank you for your advice! I’ll probably check with my teacher about remarking History, and I’m thinking of retaking English Language now…

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