The GCSE results day can be a joyful occasion for many, but for others, it can be devastating. Finding out you didn’t receive the grades you needed in order to get your dream job or go into further education. Many are mistaken in believing that this is the end, that they don’t have a second chance. They would be incorrect.

The GCSE retakes are one such second chance. If you are not happy with the grade you received, you are able to resit certain GCSE exams. These are GCSE Maths and GCSE English. We would recommend this route for students who require a grade higher then a level 4. This is because there are other options for students who are just looking for a passing grade.

If you are just looking to receive a level 4 in Maths or English, then the Functional Skills Level 2 qualification would be the best option. This is an equivalent qualification worth a level 4, so will contain significantly less content. This means there will be less to revise for, making it easier to prepare for the Functional Skills exam.

The Functional Skills exams also benefit from being flexible with the times and dates they can be sat. Unlike the GCSE resits, which can only be taken at set ties in the easier. You will also be required to travel to an exam center to retake your GCSE. While most providers of FS exams will allow you to take the exam from your own home. So there will be no need to travel anywhere. 

Alongside this, the FS exams are also quick in returning the learner’s results, often taking around 2 weeks. Compared to the GCSE resits, where it’s often around 2 months. Making FS the best choice for those who are in a rush, or just don’t want to wait a month and a half more for their results.