GCSE results day: the 2027 date, the 2026 results and what to do next
GCSE results day 2027 is Thursday 19 August. The 2026 national results, how 9 to 1 grades work, November resits, reviews of marking and post-16 options.
The next GCSE results day is Thursday 19 August 2027, confirmed by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ). Students can get their results from 8am. The 2026 results day was Thursday 20 August 2026, and the national results are summarised below. If you are dealing with 2026 results now, the final deadline for reviews of marking was 24 September 2026, but exam boards take entries for the November resits in English and maths until 4 October 2026, so talk to your school or college now. This guide covers the key dates, the 2026 results, how the 9 to 1 grades work, what to do about a low grade, and the post-16 options.
When is GCSE results day 2027?
GCSE results for the summer 2027 exams will be released to students on Thursday 19 August 2027. Schools and colleges receive the results the day before, on Wednesday 18 August, under strict confidentiality. JCQ sets the release rules each year in a notice to schools and colleges; in 2026, results could not reach students before 8am on results day, by email, post or any other means.
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| Sunday 4 October 2026 | Last date for exam boards to receive November 2026 entries |
| Monday 2 to Wednesday 11 November 2026 | November GCSE exams (English language and maths) |
| Wednesday 13 January 2027 | November 2026 results released to students |
| Monday 10 May 2027 | First GCSE exam of summer 2027 |
| Friday 18 June 2027 | Last GCSE exam of summer 2027 |
| Wednesday 23 June 2027 | Contingency day in case of national or significant local disruption |
| Thursday 12 August 2027 | A-level results day |
| Thursday 19 August 2027 | GCSE results day, from 8am |
Dates are from the JCQ key dates for November 2026 and June 2027. Each school sets its own collection times and decides whether results can be viewed online. If you cannot collect in person, arrange in advance for the school to email your results or for someone to collect them on your behalf, and check whether the school needs your written permission. Ask in advance whether the school will give results by phone.
GCSE results 2026: the national picture
JCQ published the 2026 results on 20 August 2026 for England, Northern Ireland and Wales combined. Ofqual publishes separate figures for England, where 1,047,750 students received GCSE results.
| Measure | 2026 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Grade 7/A or above (England, Northern Ireland and Wales) | 22.0% | 21.9% |
| Grade 4/C or above (England, Northern Ireland and Wales) | 67.3% | 67.4% |
| Grade 1/G or above (England, Northern Ireland and Wales) | 97.9% | 97.9% |
| Grade 7 or above (England, all ages) | 21.8% | |
| Grade 4 or above (England, all ages) | 67.0% | |
| Grade 4 or above (England, 16-year-olds only) | 70.7% |
Results were almost identical to 2025. The figure for 16-year-olds is higher than the all-ages figure, which also includes older students. Results also vary by region: in England, London had the highest share of results at grade 4 or above (71.7%) and the West Midlands the lowest (62.4%). To see how individual schools performed, browse our England GCSE school rankings.
How GCSE grades work
GCSEs in England are graded from 9 to 1, where 9 is the highest grade and 1 the lowest, with U (unclassified) for results below grade 1. The scale replaced the old A* to G letter grades, and Ofqual set fixed anchor points between them:
| New grade | Old grade |
|---|---|
| Bottom of grade 7 | Bottom of grade A |
| Bottom of grade 4 | Bottom of grade C |
| Bottom of grade 1 | Bottom of grade G |
The Department for Education recognises grade 4 and above as a "standard pass", and counts grade 5 or above in English or maths as a "strong pass" in its school performance measures. Ofqual has said that employers, colleges and universities that used to ask for at least a grade C should now ask for at least a grade 4. Grades 7, 8 and 9 together cover what used to be A and A*, so the top of the scale separates the strongest students more finely.
Entry requirements vary by provider and course. Some sixth forms and colleges ask for grade 5 or above in English or maths for particular courses, and grade 5 or 6 in the subjects a student wants to study at A-level. Always check the requirements for the specific course. Our guide to grade boundaries explains how the marks needed for each grade are set.
What to do if a grade is not what you hoped
Speak to your school or your chosen sixth form or college first. Staff know the local entry requirements and can often tell you whether a place is still possible with a grade slightly below the offer.
If you think a grade is wrong, your school can request post-results services from the exam board:
- A clerical re-check confirms that every part of the paper was marked and the marks were added up and recorded correctly.
- A review of marking checks that the mark scheme was applied correctly.
- Access to scripts lets the school see the marked paper before deciding whether a review is worthwhile.
The student must give written consent before a re-check or review, because a grade can go down as well as up.
For summer 2026, the deadline was 24 September 2026. That was the last date for exam boards to receive requests for re-checks and reviews of marking. Your school submits the request, so no new request can be made after that date. If a review was requested in time and you disagree with the outcome, your school can appeal within 30 calendar days of receiving it. Appeals must be in writing and state clear grounds, and only the head of the school or college can submit one for its students.
For summer 2027, JCQ has not yet published the post-results deadlines. In 2026 the deadline fell five weeks after results day, so decide quickly and ask to see the script first if you are unsure.
Resitting GCSE English and maths
If you need a higher grade rather than a review, you can resit. GCSE English language and maths have a November series for students who were 16 or over by 31 August. For November 2026, exam boards must receive entries by 4 October 2026, and your school or college makes the entry, so ask now. Exams run from 2 to 11 November 2026, and results are released on Wednesday 13 January 2027. Other GCSE subjects are retaken in the summer 2027 series.
If you are staying in education and did not get a grade 4 in English or maths, you will usually keep studying that subject after 16. This is the condition of funding that sixth forms and colleges follow for 2026 to 2027:
- With a grade 3, full-time students must study towards the GCSE again.
- With a grade 2 or below, students can work towards Functional Skills level 2 or the GCSE, sometimes starting with a lower-level course.
- A grade 4 in either English language or English literature meets the English requirement.
Your sixth form or college decides whether you are ready for the November exams or should wait until the summer.
Your post-16 options
In England you must stay in education or training until you are 18. That can be full-time education, an apprenticeship, or working or volunteering for 20 hours or more a week alongside part-time education or training. The two years after GCSEs are Year 12 and Year 13; our guide to what school year your child is in explains how the years fit together.
- A-levels at a school sixth form or sixth form college, usually two years of study leading to university, an apprenticeship or work. Our guide to A-levels explains how they work.
- T Levels, two-year technical courses that include an industry placement, and other practical college courses.
- V Levels, new vocational qualifications available from September 2027 in Digital, Education and Early Years, and Finance and Accounting. Each is the size of one A-level and can be combined with A-levels.
- Apprenticeships, which combine paid work with training.
A-levels suit students who enjoy academic study and may want university, while T Levels and apprenticeships suit those who prefer learning through practical work. All routes can lead on to further study or work, but some degree courses ask for particular A-level subjects, so check requirements before choosing. Our guide to choosing a sixth form or college covers how to compare providers and when to apply for September 2027.
Can you still get a sixth form place after results day?
Often, yes. Some sixth forms and colleges still have spaces after results day for students whose results changed their plans. Contact the provider directly, explain your grades and ask about the courses with space. If a grade is just below an offer, ask whether they will still take you, particularly if a resit or review is under way.
How FindMySchool helps
Once you know your grades, the next job is finding the right place to continue, or, if your child sits GCSEs in 2027, planning ahead. You can search schools and sixth forms near you and open any profile to see its FMS Inspection score, A-level and progression data where available, and rankings. Browse sixth form schools by area, and compare providers side by side before accepting a place. For a personalised shortlist, School Match suggests sixth forms based on your priorities and location; create a free account, answer 11 questions, and get five schools ranked for your child, from £3.99.
A quick checklist for results day 2027:
- Know the grades your chosen course requires before 19 August.
- If you miss a requirement, talk to the provider first, then consider a review of marking or a resit.
- Confirm your place promptly once you know your grades.
Frequently asked questions
GCSE results day 2027 is Thursday 19 August. Schools and colleges receive the results the day before, on Wednesday 18 August 2027, but cannot release them to students until 8am on results day. The 2026 results day was Thursday 20 August 2026.